Plant Engineer

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) presents an exciting opportunity for a Plant Engineer, to join the Polokwane team at CCBA. The role will report to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager.  CCBA is the 8th largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. With over 14 000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 800 000 customers with a host of international and local brands. CCBA group operates in 14 countries: South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and the islands of Comoros and Mayotte.  

Key Purpose

To optimise plant performance and sustainability by leading asset care, utilities management, and engineering projects in line with safety and compliance standards.

The advert has minimum requirements listed. Management reserves the right to use additional or relevant information as criteria for short-listing. Only applications submitted through the e-recruitment portal will be accepted.

Key Outcomes

Asset Care and Maintenance Strategy

• Lead the site’s maintenance strategy and execution across utility and infrastructure assets.
• Implement preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance systems.
• Ensure asset care standards, documentation, and compliance with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).

Utilities and Site Infrastructure Management

• Oversee availability and reliability of utilities including steam, compressed air, refrigeration, water, and effluent systems.
• Manage building services, site services, and infrastructure including HVAC, electrical distribution, roofs, roads, fire detection and suppression systems, and
• security interfaces.
• Drive improvements in utility cost efficiency and environmental footprint.

Project Engineering

• Plan, coordinate and deliver engineering projects related to utilities, infrastructure upgrades, or compliance.
• Manage capital and improvement projects from initiation through to commissioning and handover.
• Ensure adherence to engineering standards, safety regulations, and budget controls.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure plant compliance with statutory engineering regulations, SANS standards, and internal CCBSA requirements.
• Manage engineering-related inspections, audits, and certification programs (e.g., boilers, pressure vessels, electrical compliance).
• Champion risk assessments and mitigation plans for critical assets and processes.

People Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop Team Leaders and technical staff responsible for site services and utilities.
• Coach and support frontline teams to improve engineering effectiveness and safety.
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor performance of engineering KPIs including MTBF, MTTR, availability, energy consumption, and project delivery.
• Analyse downtime trends and drive root cause corrective actions.
• Report on cost drivers and lead cost-reduction initiatives.

Education

• Minimum: BTech or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering
• Preferred: Government Certificate of Competency (Factories)
• Professional Registration: ECSA registration as a Professional Engineer or Technologist (advantageous)

Experience

• 5–8 years’ experience in plant or factory engineering within FMCG, beverage, or food manufacturing
• Proven experience managing utilities and infrastructure
• Project management experience, including capital project execution
• Experience leading technical teams and dealing with external contractors and regulatory bodies
• Understanding of CMMS and maintenance best practices

Skills

• Strong technical knowledge of utilities systems (boilers, ammonia/refrigeration, compressed air, HVAC, water treatment)
• Working knowledge of energy management systems and environmental compliance
• Root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 5-Why, RCA, FMEA)
• Proficiency with maintenance systems (e.g., SAP PM or similar CMMS)
• Understanding of statutory engineering legislation and ISO standards
• Project management skills (scope, budget, schedule)Technical report writing and performance analysis
• Strong safety and risk management knowledge