Specialist Artisan at PepsiCo

Overview

• The primary objective of the Maintenance Specialist is to provide technical expertise and leadership in maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving the reliability of critical bakery equipment and systems.
• This role plays a key part in minimizing unplanned downtime, ensuring food safety compliance, and supporting optimal production performance in a high-speed manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support and troubleshooting for complex mechanical, electrical, and automation- related breakdowns on critical bakery equipment.
• PLC Programming & Automation: Program, troubleshoot, backup, and restore PLC systems (Siemens, Mitsubishi, and others). Perform regular backups and maintain version control of PLC programs.
• VFD / VSD Management: Set up, install, configure, and troubleshoot Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) across production lines.
• HMI Systems: Develop, modify, upgrade, and maintain Human Machine Interface (HMI) programs to  improve operator efficiency and system visibility.
• Batch Management: Support and maintain batch management systems, recipes, and process parameters to ensure consistent product quality.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for repetitive and high-impact failures and implement permanent corrective solutions.
• Develop, review, and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for key assets.
• Coach and mentor Millwrights and Artisans on technical standards, automation systems, and advanced troubleshooting techniques.
• Ensure all maintenance and automation activities comply with food safety standards (AIB, HACCP), MESS requirements, and statutory regulations (GMR, PER, OHS Act).
• Participate in major shutdown planning, Capex projects, and equipment improvement initiatives.
• Drive reliability improvement projects aimed at increasing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and reducing maintenance costs.
• Conduct equipment audits, condition monitoring, and failure mode analysis

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification Grade 12/N3 in electro-mechanical engineering\S4\T4\BTECH
• Qualified Millwright\Controls and Instrumentation Technician
• Minimum 3–5 years’ post-trade experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
• Valid driver’s licence and own transport (advantageous)
• Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and standby duties
• Computer literacy (SAP / maintenance systems experience is a plus)