Maintenance Specialist

Recruiter: Abantu Staffing Solutions

Job Ref: 556559

Date posted: Monday, July 13, 2026

Location: Durban, South Africa

SUMMARY: POSITION INFO: Overview: The successful incumbent will be responsible for supervising the safe and cost-effective execution of Maintenance work to improve availability and reliability of plant equipment. This position reports to the Technical Manager, and will supervise maintenance artisans Minimum Requirements: Grade 12 Relevant qualification in mechanical engineering or related field Trade tested Millwright /Fitter / Toolmaker / Electrician Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role preferable automotive industry Must have supervisory experience Must have PLC and project management experience Responsibilities: Maintenance Management: Supervise the work unit to achieve work unit objectives Determine resources (labour and materials) required and allocate overtime work Analyse and interpret Planned Maintenance Reports (Hours per department, hours per Artisan, etc.) Analyse and interpret Breakdown Reports (Manufacturing downtime, top 10, etc.) Diagnose plant and equipment problems (fault finding) and identify opportunities to modify, upgrade, improve or replace equipment and spares Maintain register of all electrical hardware on site and backups of all installed software Maintenance Planning: Compile and supervise the Preventive Maintenance Programme according to the maintenance requirements for machines and equipment Maintain and update the Preventive Maintenance tasks lists Maintain and update Critical Spares and Spares Lists Maintenance Process: Receive Maintenance Schedules, interpret instructions and plan maintenance and repair work Approve Stores Requisition for spares and consumables Supervises the carrying out of breakdown repairs & escalate the problem to the next level if it cannot be resolved successfully Inform/advise Management of any breakdowns of a serious nature or where any potential equipment failure is imminent Project Management: Contribute to project initiation, scope definition and scope change control Participate in the estimation and preparation of cost budget for a project or sub project and monitor and control actual cost against budget Schedule project activities to facilitate effective project execution Monitor, evaluate and communicate project schedules Manage implementation of Engineering Projects Contribute to the management of project risk within own field of expertise Budgeting of annual quality and safety compliance item Supervise a project team of a technical project to deliver project objectives Aid in implementing and assuring project work meets quality requirements Project Administration: Implement project administration processes according to requirements Plan, organise and support project meetings and workshops Fulfil procurement activities and supervise procurement administration Provide procurement administration support to a project Conduct project documentation management to support project processes Continuous Improvement: Keep up to date with latest developments/technologies in Maintenance Identify areas for improvement Develop and implement continuous improvement interventions Reporting: Analyse Maintenance Reports and identify opportunities for improvements People Supervision: Ensure an enabling climate/culture Supervise the team to achieve work unit objectives Plan allocation of labour within area of responsibility Obtain approval for and recruit and select employees in the area of responsibility Conduct outcomes-based assessments Coach and counsel people to ensure improved performance levels Ensure discipline is maintained in department (absenteeism, lateness, overtime, misconduct, etc.) Resolve grievances and disputes SHE: Conduct continuous risk assessments in the workplace Conduct planned task observations Identify potential hazards and critical safety issues in the workplace Address workplace hazards and risks Apply safety, health and environment practises and legal requirements when working on machines and equipment