Job Title: Maintenance Specialist (Harrismith)

Company: Nestlé

Location:  Harrismith Factory
Qualification: Minimum of N6 Certificate or National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Experience: Minimum 2-3 years in Mechanical Field and Maintenance

Closing date: 9 September 2026
 

Position Summary:

With a history spanning over 150 years, Nestlé didn’t become the world’s leading food and beverages brand by chance. Perfection is at the heart of what we do, and our people are always looking for the next big idea to cement our status. We are now looking for a Maintenance Specialist to be based in Harrismith Factory. 

In this role you will be responsible to Maintain manufacturing and packaging equipment to meet production requirements and performance targets whilst coordinating Engineering resources as the Packaging SME.

A day in the life of a Maintenance specialist:

Safety Requirements:

• Ensure compliance to (OHSACT) by ensuring compliance to Work Permits, LOTO & Company requirements.
• Ensure efficient safe operation of machinery by setting and adjusting devices to within allowed tolerances.
• Maintain and ensure safe working conditions in and around the factory.
• Ensure all statutory requirements of the plant are organized and executed in a timely manner.

 Maintenance and repairs:

• Lead and coordinate the execution of planned maintenance for the Factory equipment, including Services and Buildings.
• Coordinate daily, all maintenance activities including tracking, reporting, and escalation.
• Lead and coordinate, in a hands-on way, the Installation of new equipment as well as the service and repair of all equipment.
•  Ensure that repairs are affected promptly (first time right) and efficiently.
• Identify and communicate skills gaps, coaching where possible, to improve the maintenance staff execution and performance.
• Ensure that machine reliability and availability enable the meeting of production targets.
• Perform the required administrative tasks linked to Maintenance, Problem solving, TPM, and Safety requirements.
• Actively lead and participate in TPM activities.
•  Lead the resolution of Instrumentation, Automation, Electrical and Mechanical faults on all equipment in a hands-on manner.
• When required, perform Fault finding and repairs for equipment break downs.

Maintenance Planning:

• Actively participate in the planning of and lead the coordination and execution of Maintenance Shutdowns for restoration of all equipment.
•  Revise maintenance plans, equipment maintenance schedules, and checklists to support reliable plant operation.
•  Complete the necessary administrative tasks for AMM, SHE, TPM. Line efficiency, WO completion rate, SHE audits requirements met.
• Spare parts management

Problem Solving:

• Conduct Loss Tree Analysis and implement corrective action plans focused on correcting Root Cause.
•  Follow up and drive actions to resolve and improve arising maintenance issues.
• Identify and address Root cause of re occurring faults with sound and sensible solutions Identify, document, and share the results of problem-solving events.
•  Perform a Leading role for problem solving, fault finding and BDA on all Equipment.
• Improve asset performance by implementation of maintenance strategy tools and analysing operational losses (breakdowns, process failures, waste, rework etc.)
• Implement defined counter measures to eliminate root causes

Procurement:

• Obtain quotation and recommendations from OEM and specialist vendors.
•  Present quotations and recommendations in sensible fashion to allow support the repair, maintenance, and improvement of the factory equipment.
• Create PR's and follow up on these timeously to ensure support for resolving plant issues. (PR role).

Competency building:

• Technicians are competent at managing the maintenance, and drive improvement activities based on the cost opportunities, with minimum or no supervision.

• Coach and train operators to build autonomy in execution of key standard routines, troubleshooting, repair and basic maintenance.

•  Fosters a continuous improvement culture, collaborates with peer Production Team/Area Operators, supports cross-fertilization of manufacturing best practices, knowledge, standards and improvements across the production lines and working areas.

• Leverage digital tools (e.g. AMM Mobile, predictive maintenance analytics) in maintenance to optimize maintenance and improve asset performance.
• Owns his/her development plan and supports new members to develop their competences through training, coaching and feedback.

What will make you successful?

• N6 Certificate or National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
• Served an Apprenticeship and qualified with a Trade Test Certificate.
• 2 -3 years’ experience in Mechanical field.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Computer literate (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SAP, and AMM).
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills.
• In depth knowledge of maintenance practices.
• Supportive and able to effect Change Management.
• A Team player and able to coach production and maintenance staff on Mechanical equipment.