Location: Nestlé Harrismith
Company: Nestlé
Qualification: Diploma/Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Experience: 3-5 years’ experience

Closing Date: 17 March 2025
 

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 Technical Assistant to be based in Harrismith Factory. 

In this role you will be responsible to assume full engineering responsibility for their assigned department during all production periods. He/she will provide support to the plant Engineer/Plant Manager on engineering issues.  Consult the plant engineer on maintenance, capex and other engineering related issues. He/she will make sure operation of the plant is in an efficient manner by regular inspections, monitoring and analysing of MSA results and line efficiencies.

A day in the life of a Technical Assistant:

STAFF

• Manage attendance profiles of subordinates.
• Manage both planned and unplanned absences, to provide continuous engineering support.
• Ensure staff are adequately trained to carry out own function and to be able to relieve others when necessary.
• Ensure staff are informed of job requirements and planning schedule.
• Ensure staff are informed of Company and Factory information and communications.
• Ensure that Occupational Health and Safety Regulations are complied with, and standard Nestlé safety practices are implemented and maintained.
• Performance Management of reports.

OPERATION

• Contribution to the efficient operation of plant by regular inspections, monitoring and analysing of MSA results and line efficiencies (SAM reporting).
• Investigate opportunities for energy saving and effluent control.
• Exercise functional control on activities and housekeeping of departmental workshops.

MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT

• Assume full engineering responsibility for assigned Production Departments during all production periods.
• Ensure continuity of production by assuming responsibility of associated plant services.
• Identify essential work that cannot be performed „in-house”. Source appropriate service providers and manage the work to completion.
• Participation in both hygiene and safety audits/meetings; action findings.
• Active participation in CDM-CI teams and SGAs.
• Implement and maintain full CDM process for assigned Cost Centre Lines. Including the identification and stock holding level of spare parts. Preventative maintenance scheduling. Generation and control of maintenance “check lists”.
• Active participation in daily production review meetings and weekly production scheduling meetings.
• In conjunction with Production supervisory staff, plan and schedule maintenance work.
• Provision of multi-disciplinary support during all production periods to ensure equipment availability and efficient performance thereof.
• Submit proposals and costings for Extraordinary Maintenance and Capex budgeting.
• Control of Maintenance Budget for respective Cost Centre.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT/PLANT IMPROVEMENT

• Investigate proposals for plant and building improvements.
• Assist with investigation into the manufacture of new products as initiated by Applications Group.
• Assist in the installation of new equipment, commissioning and training in conjunction with Project Engineering

BUILDINGS

• Ensure all buildings are maintained in a sound and clean state.
• Carry out regular inspections and action any defects.
• Implement hygienic engineering principles where applicable

What will make you successful?

• Diploma/Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• 3-5 years’ experience
• Proficient in MS Office
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, good communication skills and a team player
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills, good knowledge of AMM, Kronos and SAP