Maintenance Supervisor – Live-In Employment at RMV Recruitment Solutions

The Opportunity

• Our client is seeking an experienced, hands-on Maintenance Supervisor to oversee the upkeep, repair and preventative maintenance of the lodge’s guest accommodation, public areas, staff facilities, equipment and general infrastructure.
• The successful candidate must have previous maintenance experience gained within a hospitality, safari lodge, hotel, resort, guesthouse, estate or similar property environment.
• This position requires a versatile maintenance professional who can identify problems quickly, complete repairs efficiently and supervise maintenance employees or contractors where required.
• The Maintenance Supervisor must understand the importance of completing maintenance work discreetly and professionally without negatively affecting the guest experience.

Key Responsibilities
General Maintenance

• Oversee the daily maintenance requirements of the lodge.
• Conduct routine inspections of guest rooms, public areas, staff accommodation and operational facilities.
• Complete general repairs and maintenance tasks promptly and professionally.
• Attend to maintenance requests received from lodge departments.
• Prioritise urgent faults that could affect guest comfort, safety or lodge operations.
• Ensure that maintenance work is completed with minimal disruption to guests.
• Monitor the condition of lodge buildings, fixtures, fittings and equipment.
• Maintain guest-facing areas according to the required luxury hospitality standards.
• Provide practical support across departments when operationally required.

Preventative Maintenance

• Develop and maintain a structured preventative maintenance programme.
• Schedule regular inspections, servicing and maintenance of lodge equipment and infrastructure.
• Maintain maintenance checklists and service records.
• Identify potential faults before they develop into operational emergencies.
• Monitor recurring maintenance concerns and recommend permanent solutions.
• Ensure that equipment is serviced according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Plan maintenance work according to occupancy levels and operational requirements.
• Assist management with long-term maintenance planning and property improvements.

Electrical and Plumbing Maintenance

• Attend to minor electrical faults, including lighting, plugs, switches and basic equipment problems.
• Identify electrical concerns requiring the services of a qualified contractor.
• Complete minor plumbing repairs, including leaking taps, pipes, toilets and drains.
• Monitor water-pressure, water-storage and water-supply systems.
• Assist with the maintenance of pumps, geysers and related equipment.
• Report serious electrical or plumbing risks immediately.
• Ensure that all work is completed safely and within the candidate’s level of competence.

Equipment and Infrastructure

• Monitor and maintain kitchen, laundry, housekeeping and lodge operating equipment.
• Assist with the maintenance of generators, pumps, refrigeration and water systems.
• Monitor backup power systems and report faults promptly.
• Inspect doors, windows, locks, roofing, flooring and structural fittings.
• Complete minor carpentry, painting, tiling and building repairs.
• Monitor staff accommodation and back-of-house facilities.
• Maintain workshop tools and equipment in safe working condition.
• Ensure that tools are stored securely and issued responsibly.
• Maintain accurate equipment and asset records where required.

Guest-Room and Public-Area Maintenance

• Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms and suites.
• Attend to reported faults before guest arrival wherever possible.
• Ensure that bathrooms, lighting, air-conditioning, fans and fittings remain operational.
• Maintain decks, pathways, railings, furniture and external guest areas.
• Support housekeeping with room-maintenance inspections.
• Respond professionally and discreetly to maintenance issues in occupied rooms.
• Ensure that repaired areas are left clean, neat and guest-ready.
• Communicate repair progress to the relevant lodge department.

Grounds and External Areas

• Assist with maintaining pathways, roads, fences and external structures.
• Monitor water drainage and erosion concerns.
• Support the upkeep of gardens and landscaped areas where required.
• Check external lighting, signage and safety features.
• Identify environmental or wildlife-related damage to lodge infrastructure.
• Ensure that waste and maintenance materials are disposed of responsibly.
• Support environmentally responsible maintenance practices.
• Assist with seasonal preparation and weather-related maintenance.

Team Supervision

• Supervise maintenance employees and allocate daily duties.
• Conduct daily maintenance briefings and operational handovers.
• Monitor work quality, productivity and completion times.
• Provide practical guidance and skills training to maintenance employees.
• Ensure that staff follow safety procedures and use tools correctly.
• Assist with staff rosters, attendance and leave planning.
• Report employee-performance or conduct concerns to lodge management.
• Promote teamwork, accountability and professional standards.
• Coordinate external contractors and monitor the quality of their work.

Contractor and Supplier Management

• Obtain quotations for repairs, servicing and maintenance supplies where required.
• Liaise with approved contractors and suppliers.
• Coordinate contractor access to the lodge.
• Ensure that contractors comply with lodge security and safety procedures.
• Monitor contractor work and report quality concerns.
• Verify that contracted work has been completed satisfactorily.
• Maintain records of quotations, service reports and warranties.
• Assist management with evaluating repair-versus-replacement decisions.

Stock and Cost Control

• Monitor maintenance stock, tools, spare parts and consumables.
• Maintain minimum stock levels for frequently used maintenance items.
• Record the issuing and use of tools and supplies.
• Assist with regular maintenance stock counts.
• Prevent unnecessary wastage, loss or misuse of materials.
• Obtain approval before completing significant purchases or repairs.
• Assist with preparing maintenance budgets and expenditure reports.
• Identify cost-effective solutions without compromising safety or quality.
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, repairs and maintenance costs.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Ensure that maintenance activities comply with health and safety requirements.
• Identify and report hazards immediately.
• Ensure that tools, chemicals and equipment are stored safely.
• Maintain clear emergency exits, pathways and access areas.
• Assist with fire-equipment checks and emergency procedures.
• Support generator, electrical and water-system emergency responses.
• Ensure that employees use suitable personal protective equipment.
• Report incidents, injuries and safety concerns to management.
• Assist with health and safety inspections and corrective actions.
• Promote responsible water and energy usage throughout the property.

Administration and Reporting

• Maintain an accurate maintenance log.
• Record completed, outstanding and recurring maintenance matters.
• Prepare daily and weekly maintenance updates.
• Maintain preventative maintenance schedules.
• Keep service records, warranties and contractor documentation.
• Report urgent operational risks to lodge management.
• Provide clear handovers before days off or roster changes.
• Assist with asset registers and equipment records.
• Attend operational and management meetings when required.

Requirements
Minimum Requirements

• Matric or Grade 12.
• A relevant technical, electrical, plumbing, building, mechanical or maintenance qualification would be advantageous.
• At least three years’ general maintenance experience.
• Previous maintenance experience gained within a hospitality, lodge, hotel, resort, guesthouse, estate or similar environment is essential.
• Candidates without relevant property or hospitality maintenance experience may not be considered.
• Experience maintaining guest accommodation and public areas.
• Practical knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, painting and general repairs.
• Experience with pumps, generators, water systems or lodge equipment would be advantageous.
• Previous supervisory or team-leadership experience would be advantageous.
• Ability to diagnose faults and complete repairs efficiently.
• Basic computer and maintenance-administration skills.
• Strong health and safety awareness.
• A valid South African driver’s license is required.
• Willingness to relocate and reside on-site.
• Willingness to work weekends, public holidays and after-hours call-outs when required.
• Ability to work within a remote lodge environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong practical maintenance ability.
• Fault finding and problem-solving.
• Preventative maintenance planning.
• Staff supervision and task allocation.
• Health and safety awareness.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good planning and organisational ability.
• Ability to prioritise urgent work.
• Cost and stock-control awareness.
• Contractor coordination.
• Professional communication.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
• Reliable and accountable work ethic.
• Hands-on and solution-focused approach.
• Respect for guest privacy and service standards.
• Flexibility and adaptability.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate will be a dependable and practical maintenance professional who understands the standards required within a guest-focused hospitality environment.
• They must be comfortable completing a broad range of maintenance tasks and must be willing to work alongside the team rather than only supervising from a distance.
• The successful candidate will take pride in maintaining the property, resolving problems promptly and ensuring that guest comfort and safety are protected at all times.
• Experience within a remote lodge or safari environment would be particularly beneficial.