Maintenance Manager - VKB Milling, Christiana

VKB

North West

Full-time

Posted 1 day ago

Full-time Engineering

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Job Description

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Milling

Farm Foods, a division of VKB Agri Processors (Pty) Ltd and part of the VKB Group, is a leading South African manufacturer of staple food products. Formed through the integration of VKB Milling, Vhembe Milling and GWK Farm Foods, Farm Foods supplies high-quality maize meal, flour, pasta, noodles and related products to households, bakeries, retailers and industrial customers across South Africa.

With production facilities located in Mokopane (Limpopo), Mashishing (Mpumalanga), Frankfort (Free State), Christiana (North - West) and Modderrivier (Northern Cape), Farm Foods is strategically positioned to serve markets nationwide while maintaining the highest standards of quality, food safety and operational excellence.

Guided by our promise, "For Everyone, In Every Meal," we are committed to delivering nutritious, reliable and locally produced food products while creating meaningful opportunities for our employees, customers and communities.

Why This Role Matters

The Maintenance Manager is central to the long-term success and sustainability of the milling operation. This role ensures that critical equipment, facilities, and engineering systems remain reliable, safe, and efficient, enabling uninterrupted production and optimal plant performance.

This opportunity is ideal for a technically strong leader who enjoys combining strategic planning with hands-on problem-solving. The successful candidate will influence operational efficiency, manage engineering resources, drive preventative maintenance initiatives, and build a high-performing maintenance team that supports the future growth of the business.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, you become part of a business that is deeply connected to agriculture, food production, and the communities we serve.

We offer an environment where individuals are encouraged to take ownership, continuously improve, and contribute to meaningful outcomes. You will collaborate with experienced professionals, gain exposure to complex operational challenges, and help shape the future of a business committed to excellence across the food value chain.

If you are motivated by leadership, technical innovation, continuous improvement, and making a tangible impact, this is an opportunity to grow your career within a stable and values-driven organisation.

What Success Looks Like

Leads a proactive maintenance culture that minimizes downtime and improves operational reliability.
Develops a high-performing maintenance team that consistently delivers against business objectives.
Drives preventative and predictive maintenance programmes that extend equipment lifespan and reduce breakdowns.
Improves plant availability through effective troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and engineering solutions.
Builds strong supplier partnerships that ensure the timely availability of critical spare parts and engineering resources.
Coordinates maintenance activities effectively with operational teams to support production targets.
Delivers compliance with health, safety, environmental, and legal requirements at all times.
Supports sound financial management through effective maintenance budgeting and resource optimisation.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a technically capable and people-focused leader who thrives in a manufacturing environment where reliability, safety, and continuous improvement are essential.

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who takes ownership, remains calm under pressure, and has the confidence to make informed decisions. They are passionate about developing people, building strong working relationships, and creating systems that drive long-term operational performance.

Success in this role requires someone who demonstrates the VKB values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and One Team, while maintaining high standards of accountability, professionalism, and technical excellence.

Requirements

Qualifications

Relevant Technical Diploma (Mechanical or Electrical) or a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
GCC Accreditation/Registration will be advantageous.

Essential Experience

Minimum of 5 years' experience within the silo industry, milling environment, FMCG, or a related processing industry.
Experience leading and managing maintenance teams.
Experience in engineering spares and inventory management.
Proven experience managing plant breakdowns and equipment reliability initiatives.
Experience working with maintenance management systems, preferably Pragma.

Competencies

Leadership and people management
Problem solving and analytical thinking
Planning and organising
Decision making
Accountability and ownership
Communication and interpersonal effectiveness
Teamwork and collaboration
Attention to detail
Adaptability and resilience
Safety and compliance focus

Skills Required

Preventative and predictive maintenance management
Plant troubleshooting and fault-finding
Maintenance planning and scheduling
Engineering spares and inventory management
Budget management and cost control
Project management
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety legislation
Production and manufacturing process understanding
Technical report writing and record management
Computer literacy with strong working knowledge of the Pragma maintenance management system
Technical interpretation of equipment manuals and documentation

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement proactive maintenance strategies to maximise equipment reliability.
Lead, mentor, and manage the maintenance team to achieve departmental objectives.
Plan and coordinate maintenance schedules with minimal impact on production activities.
Oversee equipment repairs, fault-finding, and breakdown investigations.
Drive preventative and predictive maintenance programmes across the operation.
Monitor and manage engineering spare parts inventory and supplier relationships.
Conduct regular equipment and facility inspections to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and legal requirements.
Collaborate with operational teams to support production efficiency and continuity.
Manage departmental budgets and optimise maintenance expenditure.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, and engineering documentation.
Recommend and support capital improvement and equipment upgrade initiatives.
Promote continuous improvement within maintenance systems, processes, and team performance.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's licence, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 x 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.