Mechanical Engineer

Reports To
:
Engineering and Maintenance Manager

Purpose of the Role

The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for minimising plant downtime, maximising equipment reliability and extending the operating life of plant machinery and equipment through the implementation of effective asset care strategies.

The role focuses on maintenance optimisation, equipment reliability, project management, cost control, contractor management, statutory compliance and continuous improvement initiatives that support safe, efficient and reliable production.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and engineering support to production and maintenance teams, ensure effective execution of planned, preventive and predictive maintenance systems, manage maintenance and capital projects, and support continuous improvement across the plant’s mechanical engineering and maintenance function.

This is a senior technical engineering role suited to a highly capable Mechanical Engineer with strong FMCG or continuous-process manufacturing experience, proven maintenance management exposure, strong reliability engineering capability, and the ability to lead technical improvement in a complex production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Asset Care, Reliability & Maintenance Optimisation
  • Develop and implement asset care strategies to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime and extend the operating life of plant machinery and equipment.
  • Ensure all plant equipment operates effectively and efficiently through the use of planned, preventive and predictive maintenance systems and programmes.
  • Review, optimise and improve engineering and maintenance procedures, standards and systems.
  • Monitor key maintenance performance indicators and implement improvement plans where required.
  • Provide optimal mechanical support to production to minimise waste, downtime and equipment lifecycle costs.
  • Identify equipment reliability risks and develop medium- and long-term corrective action plans.
  • Support maintenance optimisation initiatives that improve plant availability, reliability and operating efficiency.
  • Ensure critical spare parts are identified, appropriately managed and aligned to operational reliability requirements.
• Root Cause Failure Analysis & Continuous Improvement
  • Analyse equipment failures and conduct root cause failure analysis investigations.
  • Implement and monitor RCFA processes and procedures.
  • Ensure corrective actions from failure analysis are properly defined, implemented and followed through.
  • Identify recurring equipment failures and drive practical engineering solutions to prevent repeat failures.
  • Use asset management data and maintenance performance trends to support reliability improvement.
  • Promote continuous improvement within the engineering and maintenance function.
  • Drive maintenance best practices aimed at improving MTBF, reducing MTTR and improving overall equipment performance.
• Engineering Projects & Capital Work
  • Plan, direct and coordinate engineering activities related to the construction, modification, continued performance and maintenance of plant equipment and machinery.
  • Deliver relevant capital and maintenance projects on time and within budget.
  • Prepare detailed specifications for equipment repairs, replacement or upgrades based on a total lifecycle cost philosophy.
  • Develop scopes of work for capital projects, major maintenance expenditure and equipment replacement requirements.
  • Ensure proposed vendors and contractors are technically capable, qualified and suitable to complete agreed work.
  • Provide technical input into procurement of engineering services, equipment, spares and project-related requirements.
  • Ensure project work is executed safely, effectively and to the required engineering standards.
  • Support plant improvement projects that strengthen reliability, efficiency, safety and operational performance.
• Maintenance Management, Technical Leadership & Support
  • Provide technical guidance and support to production and maintenance personnel.
  • Coach, develop and performance manage engineering and maintenance resources.
  • Identify employee development needs and performance gaps within maintenance teams and ensure these are discussed and corrected.
  • Support maintenance foremen, artisans, technicians and other engineering personnel with technical problem‑solving and execution guidance.
  • Delegate effectively and empower subordinates by giving them clear responsibility, authority and accountability within defined boundaries.
  • Ensure maintenance resources are used effectively to support production availability and equipment reliability.
  • Maintain strong communication with Engineering, Production, Operations, Stores, Safety, Finance, Buying, HR, Training and external service providers.
• Statutory Compliance, Safety & GMR 2.7 Responsibilities
  • Fulfil responsibilities as the appointed GMR 2.7 where applicable.
  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental and legal requirements.
  • Ensure all statutory inspections are completed and that relevant documentation is…