Technical Supervisor at Fall Creek

POSITION SUMMARY

• This position is responsible for the preventative & breakdown (mechanical and electrical) maintenance schedules for all installation, repair and maintenance of key areas of responsibility (listed below), overall facility management, grounds, roads, buildings, and security systems on site of the nursery, including the key areas of responsibility as listed below
• This role acts as the coordinator for work and information between management and employees.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Maintenance

•       Rolling Stock – tractors, trailers, vehicles, and all driven machinery used on farm
•       Supervise Mechanical & Electrical actions on infrastructure including generators and storage areas
•       Workshop & Machinery
•       Irrigation Pumphouses & irrigation systems
•       Greenhouse structures, including piping, plastic, netting, 
•       Production Equipment, and Environmental monitoring systems

Facilities

•       All roads and access routes,
•       All access control areas, gates, entrances, and sign boards
•       Common property areas, fields, grass areas, lawns, gardens, landscaping, flower beds, and irrigation systems for these areas
•       All Buildings built with brick, including main office, TC lab, warehouse, field office, propagation head house, Security guard house, pumphouse, canteens and storage facilities,
•       Electrical fence line and security systems (booms and gates) and guard house
•       Supporting systems, such as IT infrastructure, cabling, towers, telecommunication, and equipment 

ORGANISATIONAL FIT      

• This position reports directly to the maintenance manager and supervises a team leader, or employees in the maintenance department.
• This position collaborates with other department supervisors, on maintenance needs and projects in and around the nursery.
• Coordinates services with outside vendors and other providers such as contractors, and service providers for technical & maintenance needs, as well as projects on the nursery site.
• This role also supervises labor contractors and team employees

JOB SETTING:

• Nursery setting. Weekend and late shift (standby) work may be required. Exposed to weather, pollen, dust, insects (including bees), soil/mud, uneven gravel surfaces.  May work with pesticides.  May also work near rivers and ponds.  May have access to restricted/locked areas. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Other duties may be assigned)

•  Executes preventative and breakdown maintenance needs of the nursery
•  Manages a team of maintenance employees
•  Manages time and attendance, absenteeism and employee benefits or wellness within team
•  Makes impartial decisions in regard to scheduling work to employees and teams.
•  Notifies management of problems or potential issues in a timely manner.
•  Trains new employees on company processes, locations, and work standards.
•  Accurately reports and records work activity.
•  Performs all work activities and promotes work crews to perform work in a safe and efficient manner.
•  Brings potential hazards / mechanical issues to the immediate attention of management or the safety committee.
•  Follows all pesticide signage.
•  Immediately reports accidents, injuries and near-misses to management. Enforces the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when completing tasks (ear plugs/muffs, gloves, boots, safety glasses, etc.).
•  Makes sure equipment is in proper operating condition and immediately respond as maintenance department if repairs are needed.
•  Follows written directions, job cards etc.
• . Assist employees in performing work by answering questions and demonstrating techniques.
• . Trains employees on how to operate equipment and machinery safely.
•   Ensures keys and lock codes are protected and used only for business purposes.
•   Supervises, organizes and monitors the work of employees within assigned teams.
•   Supervises labor contractors and other temporary employees.
•  Demonstrates respectful communication and interactions with crews, other team leaders, and managers.
•   Attends and participates in weekly supervisor meetings.
•   Assists with tracking attendance. Ensures break periods start and end on time.
•   Assists with performance reviews as needed.
•   May participate on the safety committee

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING

•  Requires 3 - 5+ years of experience in similar role
•  Minimum of 2+ years in a supervisory or management position with proven ability to manage, develop and mentor staff.
•  Minimum 2+ years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining industrial machinery and equipment.
•  Experience with Agriculture (Farm) or Nursery job setting, with specific focus on projects is preferred.
•  Requires the ability to install, inspect, repair and maintain farming systems. Knowledge of heating and cooling systems within agriculture sector would be advantageous.
•  Ability to read instructions, blueprints, diagrams, sketches and machine specifications
•  Strong computer skills using Outlook, Word and Excel.
•  Previous experience with budgeting and expense management advantageous
•  Requires effective oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. Must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, managers, ‘internal’ customers, vendors, contractors, and peers.
•  Ability to interact effectively within a diverse workforce.
•  Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work as part of a team with internal departments.
•   Ability to lead and manage a team within an ever-changing environment and with multiple priorities.
•  Requires good judgment and the ability to positively influence team decision making.
•  Ability to develop clear action plans and drive processes with many interdependencies.
•  Ability to prioritize work within established guidelines and follow through on a variety of requests.
•  Ability to travel internationally and domestically for company business or attend events off-site.
•  Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain a valid license
• Regular and reliable attendance at the primary place of business.
•  Must demonstrate professional and ethical business practices, adherence to company values, and a commitment to personal and professional development.
•  Must be able to communicate in both English, and Afrikaans (other languages will be beneficial)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Appropriate Horticulture and/or mechanical qualification would be preferred
•  Certification in one or more of the following: HVAC, electrical, mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration systems, process controls, mechanical power transmissions, painting, plumbing, carpentry or engine repair.
•  Bilingual in English and Afrikaans ((other languages will be beneficial)
•  Previous experience working with an ERP system, preferably SAP.
•  Position requires an executed confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement.