Maintenance Improvement Specialist

Description / Synopsis:

A leading mining operation in the Northern Cape is seeking a Maintenance Improvement Specialist to analyse maintenance performance, reduce breakdowns, and drive reliability improvements across the mine and process plant. This role focuses on data-driven optimisation, root cause analysis, proactive maintenance strategies, and continuous improvement. The position requires strong analytical ability, technical insight, and experience in opencast mining environments. This is a site-based role in Hotazel and requires relocation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Mechanical or Electrical Engineering qualification (NQF 6)


• Minimum 5 years experience in maintenance improvement within opencast mining and process plant


• Strong CMMS experience (SAP, Ellipse, SAGE, KARABO PM or similar)


• Project management certificate


• Supervisory certificate in engineering


• Artisan trade certificate advantageous


• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and reporting skills


• Valid driver's licence (Code 08)


• Medically fit for a mining environment

Responsibilities:

• Analyse maintenance practices and optimise reactive, planned, and predictive maintenance


• Develop and implement maintenance improvement plans aligned with business goals


• Reduce breakdowns and unplanned downtime through systematic improvements


• Conduct RCFA/RCA on major and recurring failures


• Identify chronic equipment issues and reliability risks


• Improve MTBF, MTTR, availability, and equipment reliability


• Support and implement RCM principles


• Improve job plans, task lists, and maintenance standards


• Standardise maintenance procedures and work instructions


• Improve scheduling compliance and backlog management


• Identify maintenance cost drivers and reduce wastage


• Optimise spares usage and critical spares strategies


• Analyse CMMS data to identify improvement opportunities


• Track and report on maintenance KPIs


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and benchmark against best practice


• Support audits, compliance, and safety improvements


• Coach artisans, planners, and supervisors to adopt proactive maintenance behaviours


• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, OEMs, and suppliers

Soft Skills / Additional Info:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills


• Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving ability


• Ability to influence and coach technical teams


• Strong planning, organising, and reporting capability


• Continuous improvement mindset

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