Senior Artisan: Pretoria West - RCL Foods

Full Job Description - Read Carefully

RCL Foods is seeking a Senior Artisan to join our Milling Division. The role is based in Pretoria West and will report to the Engineering Manager. 

The purpose of this role is to oversee the implementation of task execution to ensure quality delivery and track facilities actions/activities to ensure timeous completion of work. The senior artisan has to give continuous feedback and report issues/challenges relating to the facilities task to the foreman. The successful individual, incumbent, would be expected to assign and co-ordinate daily activities.

Duties & Responsibilities    

Core Senior Artisan's Roles:

• Ensure efficient and high-quality maintenance of all mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment.
• Oversee the implementation and execution of key projects in collaboration with the technical team.
• Develop and execute the facilities projects roadmap.
• Implement and manage SLAs for key facility services, including fire system maintenance and air-conditioning, to automate service delivery.
• Conduct engineering problem-solving to maintain high equipment uptime.
• Drive team engagement by conducting bi-annually one-on-one discussions to track individual KPIs.
• Oversee maintenance budget expenditures within approved thresholds.
• Deliver on workshop performance objectives in mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and facilities maintenance, along with project execution.
• Facilitate training and upskilling of subordinates/ teammates.
• Provide 24-hour coverage for mechanical and electrical engineering matters (standby rotation as required).
• Ensure all maintenance activities are performed in accordance with the work order system.
• Maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Write work instructions and conduct planned job observations.
• Assess and coordinate the department overtime within set thresholds.
• Foster a strong teamwork culture and enforce the disciplinary code of practice when necessary.
• Drive performance and accountability within the team.
• Translate blueprints into layouts, fabricate required items, and install them safely.
• Conduct inspections per OHS, manufacturing, and company standards, reporting defects and breakdowns.
• Monitor the condition of equipment structural components and determine repairs, replacements, or upgrades.
• Have a thorough understanding on how to weld various materials, including mild steel and stainless steel,
• General understanding on how to operate boiler-making equipment and machinery.

General Electrical Maintenance:

• Schedule &/or perform maintenance on electrical equipment, LV AC/DC motors, transformers & MV system.
• Conduct fault finding and troubleshooting on electrical systems.                                                                   
• Ensure routine inspections are carried out as per schedule and develop the necessary schedules where not available.
• Monitor and evaluate installation and commissioning of new electrical equipment.
• Perform basic field and PLC fault-finding. maintain, apply basic programming and troubleshoot AC & DC Variable Speed Drives (VSDs).

General Mechanical Maintenance:

• Perform preventative, corrective, and reactive maintenance.
• Identify and address maintenance concerns proactively.
• Comply with food safety standards (FMCG experience is an advantage). Diagnose and correct mechanical faults in machinery and equipment.
• Inspect, operate, and test equipment to detect malfunctions and record all maintenance and repair work performed.
• Direct and train workers in the installation and maintenance of mechanical equipment.
• Plan - assembly, installation, or repair work on piping/aspiration systems, plumbing, carpentry and water/sewer/stormwater lines.
• Assist and provide support in performing fault-finding on mechanical equipment
• Ensure daily routine inspections are completed and provide ad hoc assistance as needed.

Minimum Requirements    

• Option 1: Matric, N5 Mechanical Certificate, and Trade Test Certificate as a Fitter or Fitter & Turner, Millwright Trade Qualification
• Option 2: Matric, N5 Electrical Certificate, Trade Test Certificate as an Electrician, and Installation Electrician Certification
• 3 to 5 years of Supervisory experience in the Milling or Production Industry
• Strong Leadership Skills with excellent Planning and Communication abilities
• Experience in conducting structured Root-Cause Analysis (RCA)Additional
• Valid EB / Code 8 Drivers License
• Computer literacy – MS Office Suite
• Be prepared to work shifts, do standby duties, callouts, and work overtime
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces

Safety and Compliance:

• Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act 85 of 1993) and related company Safety Protocols.
• Review the audits completed based the GMR 2.7 inspections, ensuring all findings are addressed and clsoed based on a Pragma system.
• Compliance with safe wok procedures and safety regulations.
• Promote a zero-harm culture by adhering to safety, health, environmental, and security policies
• Maintaining high housekeeping standards in the workshop and designated work areas.
• Regular review and maintenance of site demarcation, safety systems, and barriers.

 Technical Knowledge & Skills:

• Proficient in Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), specifically Pragma Onkey 5 (Onkey 5 Plus).
• Knowledge of Store Inventory Management Systems and engineering maintenance techniques

Strong understanding of:

• Engineering machine components (e.g., shafts, bearings, V-belts, drives, contactors, conveyors, motors, circuit breakers)
• Built environment structures (e.g., concrete, layer works, and facilities regulations under OSHA)
• Hazardous environments, including gas and dust risks
• Food safety standards (advantageous) - FSSC 22000

Work Approach & Leadership Abilities:

• Adherence to all safe working procedures outlined in company safety manuals.
• Strong communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Methodical and systematic approach to work, with comfort in both office and hands-on environments.
• Proactive problem-solving mindset, anticipating potential issues and implementing corrective actions
• Goal-oriented, stable, and decisive under pressure
• Effective leadership skills, including experience in handling industrial relations (IR) issues
• Willingness to take accountability for maintenance across multiple sites, including the main site, oil plant, Delfos, and associated facilities
• Hands-on and administrative expertise, with high technical aptitude and in-depth knowledge of Flour Mill machinery & spares
• Demonstrate strong leadership and accountability for all deliverables

Experience and Training

• 3 to 5 years of Supervisory experience in the Milling or Production Industry

Problem Solving

• Troubleshoot and fault find relating to fabrication requirements that falls within ambit of responsibility

Customer Relationships

Internal

• Oversee and stand-in to direct all facilities employees on behalf of the foreman.
• Alignment and operational drive with colleagues from other departments within the plant or production facility.
• Liaise with all production, operational, planning and engineering personnel for clear engagement.
• Clear reporting to the Facilities Maintenance Foreman.
• Strategize and clear out the critical objectives with the engineering & facilities foreman.
• Communicate and engage with Quality Assurance, Risk Coordinator

External

• Supplier and Contractor engagement

Decision Making

• Make operational decisions that fall within the ambit of responsibility

Leadership / Supervision

• Must be able to lead within defined areas of responsibility.
• Provide clear directions to the welder where applicable.
• Supervise contractors where applicable.