Maintenance Manager | Bellville | Permanent

Maintenance Manager | Bellville | Permanent

Lead the engineering function of a high-volume manufacturing operation where equipment reliability, safety, cost control and continuous improvement directly influence production performance.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an experienced maintenance professional who understands the demands of bakery manufacturing and can translate engineering strategy into reliable plant performance.

The Maintenance Manager will take accountability for maintaining plant availability and driving effective planned and unplanned maintenance across electrical and mechanical equipment. The role combines maintenance execution, CAPEX planning, people leadership, safety, quality, environmental compliance and financial control.

You will join an established manufacturing environment where engineering performance is closely linked to throughput, OEE, energy efficiency, product quality and operational continuity. The successful candidate will need to balance immediate breakdown response with preventative maintenance, long-term asset planning and continuous improvement.

What You'll Do

• Lead planned and unplanned maintenance scheduling, including maintenance-day execution, job cards and completion sign-off

• Conduct plant inspections and ensure maintenance work is completed to the required quality standards

• Manage engineering spares, stock controls and maintenance-related expenditure within budget

• Develop five-year CAPEX plans based on plant requirements and motivate CAPEX projects in line with business processes

• Drive plant availability and the effective operation of electrical and mechanical equipment

• Conduct root cause analysis on breakdowns and implement preventative actions

• Drive the preventative maintenance pillar of the manufacturing excellence programme

• Monitor engineering and DMS KPIs and provide accurate operational reporting

• Manage maintenance cost drivers, R&M budgets and cost-saving initiatives

• Understand Cost Per Loaf, budget versus actual performance and recovery actions

• Ensure compliance with OHS requirements, risk assessments and workplace safety standards

• Drive safety performance, including LTIFR, near-miss reporting and safety observations

• Support engineering, risk, environmental, DQS and BMR audits

• Ensure compliance with environmental requirements, including water, utilities, noise and waste management

• Maintain appropriate equipment settings, process alignment, hygiene and cleaning standards

• Ensure specialised bakery equipment, instrumentation and calibrations remain within required standards

• Maintain appropriate essential spares to support plant reliability

• Lead, develop and engage the maintenance team through performance management, training and competency development

• Engage effectively with employees and organised labour while managing employee relations in line with company policies

• Promote a high-performance culture focused on accountability, reliability and continuous improvement

What You Bring

• Relevant engineering qualification in electrical or mechanical engineering, including BSc Engineering, B-Tech, N6, T4 or S4-level qualifications

• Strong practical maintenance management experience in a manufacturing environment

• Proven experience with bakery processes and bakery production equipment

• Experience using computerised maintenance management systems

• Working knowledge of the practical implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

• Experience with maintenance budgeting and CAPEX planning

• Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and manufacturing performance

• Environmental awareness within a manufacturing environment

• Strong electrical and mechanical maintenance knowledge

• Experience managing maintenance teams and developing technical capability

• Strong understanding of maintenance KPIs, plant availability, OEE, R&M expenditure and engineering scorecards

• Postgraduate management qualifications such as MDP, MAP, PMD or MBA will be advantageous

What Success Looks Like

• High and sustainable plant availability

• Effective planned maintenance and reduced unplanned breakdowns

• Strong engineering and DMS KPI performance

• R&M expenditure maintained within budget

• Successful delivery of appropriate CAPEX initiatives

• Improved OEE, throughput and equipment reliability

• Improved electricity and oven-fuel efficiency

• Strong safety performance and reduced LTIFR

• Successful engineering, risk, environmental, DQS and BMR audits

• Accurate maintenance reporting and effective stock control

• A capable, engaged and accountable maintenance team

• Consistent compliance with quality, hygiene, sanitation and equipment standards