Maintenance and Project Manager at Air Chefs

Job Purpose    

• The Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the organization's maintenance operations. This includes ensuring the efficient, safe, and cost-effective maintenance of buildings, equipment, fleet and infrastructure. The role aims to maximize asset lifespan, minimize downtime, and maintain a safe and compliant working environment. This role is critical in supporting operational efficiency and achieving organizational goals.
• The role encompasses functional strategic planning, team development and leadership, and the implementation of preventive maintenance programs. The role aims to minimize downtime, enhance operational efficiency, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards while managing a team of maintenance technicians and coordinating with other departments.

Principal Accountabilities    
Operations Strategy Support:

• Support the development of business plans and strategies across the value chain
• Demonstrate commitment to a shared purpose(s) to initiate new ideas and thinking

Preventive Maintenance:

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive preventive maintenance program to minimize equipment failures and extend asset life. 
• Ensure equipment and fleet is serviced in line with Original Equipment Manufacturers’ requirements.
• Ensure that all risk based and condition-based maintenance framework are met (i.e. testing, servicing, calibration, inspection, adjustment, alignment and installation).
• Utilize predictive maintenance techniques to identify potential failures for Plant, Building and Fleet.

Corrective Maintenance:

• Monitor equipment performance to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Oversee the prompt and effective repair of equipment and infrastructure breakdowns, minimizing disruption to operations.

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage the maintenance budget, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation and adherence to financial targets.
• Control expenditure according to budget to ensure efficient cash flow management.
• Embark on cost containment initiatives in order to maximise the benefits realisation business initiatives (where substantiated and where it does not have a negative impact on the long term sustainability of the organisation)
• Facilitate and evaluate the compilation of maintenance proposals to ensure validity and adherence to organisational ROI principles
• Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of repairs versus replacements.
• Identify opportunities to optimize resources and reduce expenses.

Team Leadership:

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of maintenance technicians and other support staff, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manages subordinates' key performance areas by setting and monitoring performance standards and taking action to correct deviations to achieve the departmental/sectional objectives.
• Ensure that capacity development programmes, i.e. mentorship, recruitment, training are implemented and effective towards future capacity requirements
• Prepares career development plans, appraises progress and provides training and coaching to develop subordinates to their full potential.
• Promote Air Chefs shared vision amongst all stakeholders, subordinates and business partners
• Actively build performance excellence capability through setting stretch targets to enable continuous learning and growth
• Conclude bi-annual performance management reviews in accordance with company talent management program

Staff Management

• Supervising, training and scheduling of maintenance staff to ensure proficiency.
• Delegating tasks and managing workflow to meet efficient turn-around times.
• Develop proficient job cards and maintain records.

Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with external contractors and vendors, ensuring quality service and competitive pricing.
• Source and negotiate contracts for equipment and services.
• Monitor vendor performance and adherence to agreements.
• Manage relationships to ensure quality and timely support.

Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure all maintenance activities are conducted in accordance with relevant safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of SHEQ and HACCP related programs in the region.
• Implement procedures to ensure that post maintenance cleaning is carried out in  line with applicable food safety requirements.
• Promoting a culture of safety and efficiency within the company

Asset Management:

• Maintain accurate records of all assets, including maintenance history, performance data, and lifecycle costs.
• Track asset conditions and maintenance history.
• Plan for upgrades, replacements, or decommissioning

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve maintenance processes, reduce costs, and enhance equipment reliability.
• Keeping up with emerging technologies to improve maintenance practices.

Project Management:

• Lead maintenance-related projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Actively monitor the process improvement expenditure and service delivery against plans and budgets

Reporting:

• Ensure provision of accurate and credible data and management information for efficient and agile decision-making;
• Provide management with medium- to long-term facilities planning and CAPEX budget
• Ensure that appropriate systems are implemented to conduct high level executive reporting,
• Submit monthly reports on maintenance activities and expenditure to senior management.

Governance:

• Develop standard operating procedures for repairs and maintenance for all assets
• Ensure all maintenance protocols are in place and adhered to across the organisation;
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Drive compliance to Safety, Health, Quality, Risk and all relevant policies and regulations
• Decrease vendor risk
• Develop and implement comprehensive business continuity plan

Qualifications & Experience    

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in maintenance management, preferably in a manufacturing, industrial, or facilities environment.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a maintenance team.
• Experience with developing and managing maintenance budgets.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and automation systems

Knowledge and Skills    

• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and facility systems.
• Proficiency in maintenance planning, asset lifecycle management, and CMMS platforms.
• Project management expertise (planning, scheduling, budgeting, reporting).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability, analytical thinking, and decision-making capability.
• Proficiency in maintenance software, MS Office Suite, and data analysis tools
• Project management skills
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational and planning abilities

Attributes    

• Knowledge of SHEQ regulations and legislative requirements
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide, motivate, and discipline teams.
• Excellent decision-making under pressure
• Strong report-writing skills.
• Operational Excellence
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and incidents simultaneously.
• Strong planning, coordination, and follow-through ability.
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
• Ability to anticipate risks and implement preventative measures.
• High level of integrity and accountability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Professional, calm, and resilient under pressure.