Maintenance Technician at Unique Personnel

Job Purpose:

• To ensure all machinery, utilities, and production equipment operate at optimal performance to sustain a minimum of 90% line efficiency within a lean FMCG toothpaste manufacturing environment. The Maintenance Fitter is responsible for proactive maintenance, rapid breakdown response, effective changeovers, and continuous improvement to minimize downtime and support production targets.

Key Responsibilities:

Planned & Preventative Maintenance 

• Perform planned maintenance according to maintenance schedules and check sheets. 
• Accurately complete and update maintenance records. 
• Conduct routine inspections to prevent unplanned downtime.
• Identify wear patterns and recommend improvements to increase equipment reliability.

Breakdown & Emergency Repairs:

• Respond immediately to breakdowns to minimise production downtime.
• Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical faults efficiently. 
• First-line electrical fault finding on manufacturing equipment 
• Ensure equipment is restored in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. 
• Identify and replace sensors, motors, contactors, relays, photo-eyes, proximity switches
• Conduct root cause analysis to prevent repeat failures.

Production & Changeover Support:

• Execute fast and effective changeovers to maintain production targets.
• Assist in line start-ups and shutdowns. 
• Support production to maintain 90%+ operational efficiency. 
• Ensure machinery operates within quality parameters. 
• Electrical Support (Essential) (No electrical technicians on site) 
• Assist with VSD resets and PLC I/O tracing (no programming required)

Utilities & Services Maintenance:

Maintain and repair:

• Pumps, Compressors, Tanks,  Water treatment plant,  Homogenisers,  Pallet jacks,  Structural components (doors, railings)
• Start up and shut down services and utilities as required.

Spares & Contractor Management:

• Identify and communicate spares requirements. 
• Assist in maintaining optimal spare parts inventory levels. 
• Oversee contractors when required and ensure work meets engineering standards.

Compliance & Hygiene:

• Maintain clean and hygienic work practices aligned with GMP.
• Safe isolation and lock-out of equipment
• Ensure all work complies with safety, quality and food manufacturing standards.
• Follow all SHE and company procedures. 

Inherent Requirements    
Minimum Requirements:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Trade Tested Millwright (Red Seal preferred) 
• Minimum 7 years’ post-trade experience in FMCG or high-speed production environment 
• Experience in lean manufacturing environments 
• Proven experience in high-speed automated production lines 
• Demonstrated hands-on electrical fault-finding capability on production equipment 
• Forklift license (advantageous or willingness to obtain) 
• Sound knowledge of GMP and hygiene standards 
• Computer literate (maintenance systems, check sheets, reporting)

Key Competencies:

• Strong mechanical fault-finding and troubleshooting skills 
• Practical electrical fault finding (not theoretical) 
• Pneumatics and hydraulics 
• Knowledge of pumps, compressors, homogenisers, filling machines and packaging lines 
• Understanding of lean principles, OEE, and downtime reduction 
• Ability to work independently under pressure in high-efficiency environments 
• Production-focused mindset 
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings
• Welding, fitting and turning skills 
• High attention to detail and quality standards
• Strong safety awareness

Working Conditions:

• FMCG production environment (toothpaste manufacturing) 
• Shift work will be required: 
• Current Day Shift - Monday to Thursday: 07h00 – 17h00, Friday: 07h00 – 13h00 
• Current Night Shift - Monday to Thursday: 18h00 – 06h00 
• Standby and overtime as operationally required 
• Physically demanding role involving lifting and machine work