Divisional Engineering Executive at AVI Limited

An exciting opportunity exists for a DIVISIONAL ENGINEERING EXECUTIVE at NATIONAL BRANDS LIMITED.  The role is responsible for overseeing all engineering-related activities in the ENTYCE DIVISION, consisting of the Coffee & Creamer factory in Isando and the Tea factory in Durban.  The two main areas of accountability are maintenance (asset care), and capital projects, and the position will also provide leadership to the division’s energy & sustainability strategy. 

The successful candidate will be based at the Coffee & Creamer factory in Isando, and will report to the Divisional Operations Executive.  Direct reports are the Divisional Project Manager and the Production Software Specialist (Entyce). 

KEY OUTPUTS 

Maintenance (asset care)

• Maximise production equipment reliability, availability and performance through appropriate TPM/WCM and RCM practices across the factories within the division
• Optimise the maintenance strategies and maintenance mix for equipment: preventative maintenance, shutdowns (annual or otherwise), condition monitoring, autonomous maintenance, opportunistic work and effective cleaning and lubrication strategies for each factory within the division
• Manage the relationships with key OEM’s and manage the KPI’s of OEM service level agreements across the factories within the division
• Ensure effective systems in place for the stock holding of recommended spares (OEM and otherwise), warranty tracking and the identification and classification of critical spares
• Take ownership of CMMS software across the factories within the division, including implementation, improvement, effective use, standardisation and appropriate reporting practices
• Custodian of equipment standards & specifications for the division
• Auditing of engineering processes and procedures, and driving site and divisional improvement action plans
• Jointly with the Divisional Industrial Engineering Manager standardise problem solving and root cause analysis within maintenance across the division
• Assist with significant root cause analysis investigations
• Involvement with outsourced services as and when required
• Identify specific needs and develop specialist Engineering skills within the factories and centralised structures
• Play an oversight role in the development and implementation of the technical skills programs in factories across the division 

Projects

• Ensure the successful commissioning of new plant and machinery
• Ensure that approved CapEx delivers the capex commitment at each factory within the division
• Establish and sustain project management methodologies and systems across the division
• Develop an automation strategy for the division with the Production Software Specialist, and support site engineering personnel with implementation
• Manage significant capital projects from the justification stage throughout the project life cycle to accelerate equipment selection, commissioning, performance ramp-up and maintenance integration through following sound project management principles
• Provide input into medium and long-term CapEx requirements 

Energy and Utilities

• Develop, with site Operations Executive and Engineering Managers, programmes to support factory efficiency demands are met as per business targets
• Oversee divisional monitoring, tracking and reporting of utilities usage
• Play a key role in identifying and implementing technical solutions that will address cost and risk concerns related to energy and utilities equipment and infrastructure (new and existing) 

Health, Safety and Environment

• Drive equipment compliance with relevant safety regulations, including the General Machinery and Driven Machinery Regulations
• Ensure facilities and infrastructure are conducive to employee health and wellness 

Food Safety

• Ensure site infrastructure and equipment is designed, installed and maintained in such a manner that Food Safety is not compromised
• Drive standard of utilities (water and compressed air) and ensure this is in line with Food Safety Standards 

General

• Agree a cost reduction / optimization plan for each factory within the division in respect of asset performance, which includes care of existing assets and timeous replacement.
• Establish capital expenditure and maintenance priorities to improve health & safety, risk (including theft and fraud), short-term capacity and efficiency of each factory within the division
• Ensure functional integration and promote cooperation between production and maintenance
• Functional coaching of site Engineering Managers, in collaboration with site Operations Executives 

Qualification:

• Sc / B.Eng in Engineering
• Qualification in Maintenance / Reliability Engineering preferable
• GCC advantageous
• ECSA membership advantageous (Pr. Eng preferred)
• MBA advantageous 

Experience:

• 15 years in engineering management, with deep experience in leading asset care programmes and good experience in project management
• At least 10 years at a senior management level
• FMCG or manufacturing industry 

Competencies

• Thinking analytically and rationally
• Developing strategies
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Making decisions
• Managing risk
• Meeting deadlines
• Clear & articulate communication (verbal and written)
• Embracing change
• Planning and organising
• Maintaining productivity
• Perseverance