KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Maintenance Operations Management
- Oversee and manage all maintenance activities within the cold storage facility, including scheduled preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, and equipment overhauls.
- Ensure that all machinery and equipment, especially refrigeration systems, forklifts, conveyor belts, and other critical assets, are in good working condition to minimize downtime.
- Develop, implement, and monitor preventative maintenance programs to extend the lifespan of equipment and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns.
- Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of maintenance technicians and staff.
- Ensure that all team members are properly trained and equipped to perform their duties, including safe operation of tools and machinery.
- Conduct regular performance reviews and provide feedback, coaching, and additional training as required to ensure team competency.
- Regularly inspect refrigeration units, electrical systems, mobile racking and other racking systems, and general facility infrastructure to identify potential issues and ensure systems are functioning at optimal levels.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of key systems, including energy efficiency, and propose improvements to reduce energy consumption and costs.
- Ensure the proper calibration of systems to maintain consistent temperature levels in line with fruit storage requirements.
- Manage the maintenance budget, ensuring that expenses remain within allocated limits while meeting the facilitys operational needs.
- Procure and maintain inventory of essential spare parts, tools, and equipment to minimize downtime during repairs.
- Negotiate with suppliers and contractors to obtain best pricing and quality for repair materials and services.
- Ensure compliance with all local, national, and industry-specific health, safety, and environmental regulations, particularly those relevant to food storage and CO2 refrigeration.
- Implement and enforce safe working practices to ensure that all maintenance work is carried out without risk to the team or facility operations.
- Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including repairs, replacements, inspections, and safety checks, in line with regulatory requirements.
- Lead the response to emergency breakdowns, minimizing downtime and ensuring prompt, efficient repairs to avoid disruptions to operations.
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical problems and determine the most effective course of action.
- Coordinate with the Operations Manager and other departments to schedule repairs and minimize impact on facility operations.
- Evaluate existing maintenance processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in both performance and cost efficiency.
- Lead initiatives to enhance reliability, reduce downtime, and improve the overall efficiency of maintenance operations.
- Implement new technologies or techniques that can improve the performance and longevity of equipment.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all maintenance activities, including preventive maintenance schedules, repair logs, and service history.
- Prepare regular reports on maintenance operations, including issues encountered, repairs completed, and cost tracking.
- Provide recommendations and updates to the senior management team on equipment performance and capital expenditure requirements.
Education:
- Relevant technical certifications or diplomas in industrial maintenance, HVAC, refrigeration systems, or electrical engineering are highly desirable.
- Refrigeration trade test certificate
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a maintenance management role, ideally in a cold storage, food production, or warehouse environment.
- Proven experience in managing maintenance teams and overseeing large-scale mechanical and electrical systems, including refrigeration and HVAC.
- In-depth knowledge of facility maintenance, repair, and diagnostic techniques.
- Strong leadership, management, and communication skills.
- Expertise in the maintenance and operation of refrigeration and cooling systems, electrical systems, and industrial equipment.
- Proficient with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and general maintenance software.
- Knowledge of relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations in the cold storage or food industry.
- Ability to manage budgets, schedule maintenance tasks, and prioritize work effectively.
- Refrigeration Technician Certification relating to CO2 plants
- SAQCC gas handling licence (Cat. A)
- Experience with Danfoss refrigeration controls.
- Electrical Systems, Wiremans license or HVAC Certification
- Safety Certifications (e.g., OSHA, First Aid/CPR)
- SANS 10147
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical issues.
- Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Proactive and hands-on approach to maintenance tasks.
- Ability to work under pressure and respond to emergencies with a calm and effective demeanor.
- Flexibility to work outside normal working hours in case of emergency repairs or urgent maintenance needs.
- The role requires working in a cold storage environment and often at heights up to 10m.
- Ability to perform manual labour and work with heavy equipment.
- Some flexibility in working hours may be needed to accommodate emergency repairs or project deadlines.
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