Engineering & Asset Integrity Manager at Central Energy Fund (CEF)

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Honours degree (NQF 8) or BEng/BTech in Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical or equivalent qualification.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in management and 3- 5 years senior management experience in managing large, public-sector infrastructure or industrial assets.
• Proven track record of working in the refinery or petrochemical plant engineering and asset integrity environments.
• ECSA registration or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Masters’ Degree (NQF 9) in BEng/BTech in Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical will serve as an added advantage.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Asset Integrity Management

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the refinery's Asset Integrity Management System (AIMS).
• Ensure systematic inspection, monitoring, and risk assessment of refinery assets such as pressure vessels, pipelines, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and rotating equipment.
• Implement and manage RBI (Risk-Based Inspection), corrosion management, and condition monitoring programs.
• Lead Fitness-for-Service (FFS) assessments, failure investigations, and develop preventive and corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes (API, ASME, NBIC) and national legislation (e.g., refinery safety acts, environmental laws).
• Develop and monitor KPIs related to asset health, downtime, inspection backlog, equipment failure rate, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Drive the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives using RCA, FMEA, and RCM methodologies.
• Promote digitization of asset integrity data through CMMS and digital twins (where applicable).

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of engineers.
• Oversee design reviews, plant modifications, engineering studies, and the application of technical standards.
• Develop policies, procedures, and budgets in line with corporate strategy.
• Enforce engineering governance through technical approval workflows, design verification, and change management.
• Provide engineering assurance for turnaround planning, revamp projects, and asset upgrades.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in emergency management through innovation and benchmarking against global standards.

Project Management

• Manage capital and operational projects related to asset rejuvenation, modernization, and safety improvements.
• Coordinate with procurement, finance, and public sector oversight bodies to ensure transparent and compliant project execution.
• Ensure cost control, timely completion, and alignment with the refinery’s strategic maintenance and integrity roadmap.

Regulatory and Public Sector Compliance

• Serve as the technical lead for external audits and inspections from regulatory agencies and statutory bodies.
• Ensure full compliance with environmental, health, and safety legislation, refinery licensing conditions, and public sector procurement guidelines.
• Prepare and submit reports required for compliance with public sector performance frameworks and national oil & gas regulatory authorities.

Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure that all projects and construction activities are continuously evaluated for effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with long-term organizational goals.
• Identify opportunities for optimization, reducing costs, improving quality, and ensuring that lessons learned are captured and applied to future projects.

Resource Management

• Plan, allocate, and manage departmental resources to ensure effective delivery of operational objectives. This includes developing annual plans and budgets aligned with strategic priorities, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring cost-effective use of funds.
• Oversee human resource management within the department, including workforce planning, performance management, and staff development.
• Manage procurement processes by identifying service provider needs, sourcing suppliers in line with procurement policies, and overseeing the quality, cost, and contractual compliance of goods and services delivered.

Stakeholder engagement

• Engage with internal stakeholders such as Operations, SHEQ, Projects, Maintenance, Finance, and HR to align asset integrity initiatives with operational needs and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to source and manage external service providers, ensuring delivery of high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Liaise with external regulatory bodies (e.g., Department of Labour, NERSA, DWS) to ensure compliance with engineering standards, environmental laws, pressure vessel regulations, and safety legislation.
• Represent the refinery during technical audits and inspections, providing required documentation, explanations, and evidence of compliance.
• Communicate with OEMs, consultants, and contractors to ensure technical specifications, scope clarity, and effective delivery of engineering and maintenance projects.
• Report to and advise senior management, including the Head of Refinery Operations, on the integrity status of assets, associated risks, and recommended interventions.
• Participate in forums and industry bodies relevant to engineering and asset integrity to benchmark practices and stay current with evolving standards.