MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Department: Engineering & Maintenance
Reporting To: Engineering Manager

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.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit an updated CV clearly demonstrating:

• Mechanical Engineering qualifications.
• Lean, WCM or TPM qualifications.
• Manufacturing industry experience.
• Mechanical maintenance and fault-finding experience.
• SAP ERP or SAP PM experience.
• Preventive maintenance and asset management exposure.
• Engineering project management experience.
• Safety, risk assessment and compliance knowledge.
• Contractor management responsibilities.
• Experience implementing plant efficiency or maintenance improvements.
• Availability and notice period.

If you are a qualified Mechanical Engineer with 3–5 years' manufacturing experience, strong mechanical maintenance capabilities and a passion for plant reliability and continuous improvement, we would like to hear from you.

Apply now by submitting your updated CV.

Only candidates meeting the minimum qualification and experience requirements will be considered.

Should you not be contacted within 2 weeks, please take your application as unsuccessful.