Mechanical Engineer at Boardroom Appointments

Position Overview

• An established manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced and technically skilled Mechanical Engineer to join its Engineering and Maintenance department in Cape Town.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and maintaining plant mechanical assets, ensuring operational reliability, minimising equipment downtime and improving overall plant efficiency.
• This position requires a hands-on engineering professional with strong experience in manufacturing maintenance, SAP ERP, preventive maintenance, asset management, project management and World Class Manufacturing (WCM) practices.
• The ideal candidate will have the ability to identify mechanical faults, implement maintenance improvements, manage contractors and support continuous improvement initiatives within a demanding manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities
Mechanical Maintenance & Plant Reliability

• Ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the factory's mechanical maintenance function.
• Maintain high maintenance standards to minimise equipment downtime and operating costs.
• Develop and recommend maintenance schedules for mechanical equipment.
• Ensure preventive maintenance schedules are implemented and maintained.
• Conduct regular plant inspections to identify maintenance requirements and potential equipment failures.
• Perform mechanical fault-finding and troubleshooting on plant machinery.
• Improve plant efficiency through the optimisation of existing equipment.
• Identify opportunities to improve mechanical processes through equipment modifications or replacements.
• Implement corrective actions to minimise production disruptions.
• Notify plant management of conditions that may result in downtime and recommend appropriate remedial actions.
• Ensure mechanical assets are maintained in good working condition.

Preventive Maintenance & Asset Management

• Support the implementation and improvement of preventive maintenance systems.
• Apply asset management principles to improve equipment reliability and performance.
• Support maintenance activities involving:
• Equipment prioritisation.
• Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Lubrication systems.
• Spare parts management.
• Asset management.
• Breakdown management systems.
• Maintenance KPI monitoring.
• Generate and analyse maintenance reports using SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM).
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs.
• Support the preservation and long-term reliability of mechanical assets.

Engineering Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Lead project teams to ensure World Class Manufacturing (WCM) projects are completed within agreed timelines.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve plant efficiency and equipment performance.
• Prepare capital expenditure (CAPEX) applications for engineering improvement projects.
• Support the planning, coordination and execution of mechanical engineering projects.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and WCM principles.
• Identify innovative engineering solutions to improve equipment reliability and productivity.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing environment.

Safety, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with company safety policies, procedures and applicable regulations.
• Promote a safety-first culture within the Engineering and Maintenance department.
• Conduct task-based and location-based risk assessments.
• Apply Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures during maintenance activities.
• Participate in safety audits and identify potential workplace hazards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable machinery and occupational health and safety legislation.
• Report safety and environmental incidents in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain a clean, safe and organised working environment in line with 5S principles.
• Support compliance with ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and ISO 18000 management systems.
• Adhere to corporate governance and risk management requirements.

Contractor & Supplier Management

• Coordinate and oversee contractors performing mechanical maintenance and engineering work.
• Ensure contractors comply with company safety standards, policies and procedures.
• Monitor contractor performance and the quality of completed work.
• Engage and negotiate with suppliers of engineering equipment and services.
• Ensure suppliers receive accurate technical specifications.
• Verify that equipment and services meet the required technical and quality standards.
• Support effective contractor coordination and maintenance service delivery.

Maintenance Planning, Reporting & Administration

• Plan and coordinate daily activities within the plant's mechanical maintenance section.
• Monitor maintenance performance against established KPIs.
• Generate SAP PM reports for analysis and management review.
• Support the management of annual maintenance and CAPEX budgets.
• Monitor maintenance expenditure and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and technical documentation.
• Identify training requirements relating to mechanical systems, maintenance standards and best practices.
• Conduct or coordinate technical training where required.
• Ensure adherence to company procedures, maintenance standards and operational requirements.
• Perform additional engineering-related duties as assigned by the Engineering Manager.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Qualification in Lean Manufacturing, World Class Manufacturing (WCM) or Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).
• 3–5 years' experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with SAP ERP systems.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance and mechanical maintenance practices.
• Understanding of asset management, equipment reliability and breakdown management.
• Experience in engineering project management.
• Knowledge of ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and ISO 18000 management systems.
• Experience conducting task-based and location-based risk assessments.
• Knowledge of safety auditing and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Legal liability training relating to statutory appointments.
• Contractor management experience.
• Strong mechanical fault-finding and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within a demanding manufacturing environment.

Advantageous Qualifications & Experience

• Management or Leadership qualification.
• Experience in Preventive Maintenance (PM) and Early Equipment Management (EEM).
• Experience with SAP Plant Maintenance (SAP PM).
• Exposure to Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Experience implementing equipment prioritisation, lubrication and spare parts management systems.
• Experience managing maintenance activities involving ageing manufacturing equipment.
• Experience preparing CAPEX applications and managing engineering improvement projects.
• Exposure to World Class Manufacturing improvement projects.
• Experience in a highly unionised manufacturing environment.

Technical Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate knowledge and practical capability in:

• Mechanical engineering and industrial maintenance.
• Preventive maintenance and equipment reliability.
• Mechanical fault-finding and troubleshooting.
• SAP ERP and SAP Plant Maintenance.
• Computerised Maintenance Management Systems.
• Asset management and equipment preservation.
• Lubrication and spare parts management.
• Breakdown analysis and maintenance planning.
• Lean Manufacturing, WCM and TPM methodologies.
• Engineering project management.
• CAPEX planning and budget monitoring.
• ISO management systems.
• Risk assessments and safety auditing.
• Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Contractor and supplier management.
• Maintenance KPI monitoring and reporting.
• 5S workplace organisation.

Key Performance Outcomes
The successful candidate will contribute towards:

• Improved plant availability and mechanical equipment reliability.
• Reduced equipment downtime and maintenance costs.
• Effective implementation of preventive maintenance schedules.
• Achievement of established maintenance KPIs.
• Successful completion of engineering and WCM improvement projects.
• Effective management of maintenance and CAPEX expenditure.
• Improved equipment performance and plant efficiency.
• Compliance with safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Effective contractor management and supplier performance.
• Improved maintenance planning and reporting accuracy.