Engineering Manager - Ranfontein (Culinary & Pet) at RCL Foods

The objectives are the following: 

• To provide engineering leadership for the Grocery manufacturing facility by effectively managing asset care, maintenance, and capital projects to reduce the cost of manufacture, to improve quality and to improve asset performance.
• To provide hands-on leadership for the day-to-day maintenance operation to reduce engineering downtime across all
• Support the Manufacturing Executive in delivering the site strategy.

Minimum Requirements    

Qualifications

• 10 years functional experience of which least 5 years should be at engineering management level in which a position of similar complexity has been held.
• A Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial or Electrical Engineering.
• Completed GCC Certification.
• A Diploma with GCC is also acceptable.

Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of mechanical, refrigeration and electrical engineering associated with large utility and services operation and complex production processes.
• Strong packing line experience, ideally on bottling, VFFS and Tub filling lines
• Exchange information in a clear and concise manner (both written and verbal) to senior staff and subordinates.
• Work flexible hours and some weekends as required.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Thorough understanding of the Labour Relations Act.
• Constantly looking and finding ways to improve plant efficiency and effectiveness.
• Regularly reviews and monitor progress, taking action to reschedule and re-prioritise (must be able to “think on their feet”).
• Understand the full implications of potential problems and minimise their impact.
• Recommend solutions bases on rigorous and sound information research.
• Strong WCM experience

Problem Solving:

• Must be able to handle problems encountered with utilities and services machinery and production machinery and find a solution with immediacy.
• Must be able to handle problems for which there are known industry solutions and for which solutions need to be sought.
• Must be able to handle complex problems which require a calm and disciplined collaborative approach to seeking solutions (collaboration beyond the Operating Unit).

Skills/Characteristics

• Attention to detail with ability to communicate complex things in a simple manner.
• Energetic and enthusiastic
• Practical and logical.
• Strong analytical skills to provide insights and be solutions driven.
• Effective people management at all levels
• Initiative and resilience
• Patience and adaptability
• Ability to challenge status quo and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems

Duties & Responsibilities    

Leadership:

• Focus engineering maintenance resources on increasing Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and decreasing Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).
• Control costs and enhance value addition through engineering spending.
• Identify productivity and savings projects within engineering.
• Successfully execute capital expenditure and cost reduction initiatives.
• Reduce operational and environmental risks while enhancing safety and product quality.
• Drive team performance, accountability, and development.
• Provide operational insights to improve performance.
• Define and implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Lead from the shop floor to achieve production throughput, safety, and quality goals.
• Ensure succession planning and development of leaders.
• Promote diversity and training opportunities within the team.
• Conduct regular performance appraisals and foster a culture of high performance.
• Manage multi-disciplinary teams and daily operational meetings effectively.
• Maintain team integrity and address corrective actions promptly.

Asset Care and Asset Performance:

• Implement strategies to continuously improve asset performance.
• Utilize engineering team and OEMs efficiently to reduce maintenance costs and downtime.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, and environmental standards.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, and inspections effectively.
• Manage weekend maintenance tasks and projects within budget.
• Oversee renovations and construction projects.
• Inspect major contract work on various systems.

Operational Engineering Management:

• Fulfill legal and statutory requirements.
• Ensure health and safety compliance for all equipment and plants.
• Plan and prioritize maintenance tasks.
• Maintain discipline and standards within the engineering team.
• Address audit findings promptly.

Project Management:

• Strategize capital expenditure to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.
• Manage fixed asset register and project documentation.
• Conduct project meetings and prepare necessary documentation.
• Investigate incidents and ensure safety control of contractors.

Management of Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, and Quality (SHERQ):

• Ensure legislative standards are met and actions taken timely.
• Monitor and manage sustainability practices.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures and regulations.
• Maintain security access and escalate concerns promptly.

Financial Management:

• Manage maintenance and engineering labor costs for optimal asset utilization.
• Report on actual cost KPIs versus budget and address non-conformance.
• Authorize and monitor plant engineering expenses.
• Implement cost-cutting initiatives without compromising long-term sustainability.
• Allocate spend to high-priority areas.
• Manage Capex documentation and supplier contracts effectively.
• Conduct audits of equipment spares inventory regularly.