Engineering Projects & Assets Recovery Manager

The Role

Your primary objective will be to help restore the capability and reliability of our existing production assets while delivering the engineering projects required to build a stronger factory for the future.

• Assess production equipment and establish the gap between current performance and intended/rated capability.
• Develop and maintain asset-recovery plans across our production lines and critical plant infrastructure.
• Identify mechanical, electrical, automation, utility, obsolescence and reliability constraints affecting production.
• Convert technical problems into properly scoped engineering interventions.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, labour requirements and shutdown plans.
• Ensure all parts, materials, contractors, tools and specialist resources are available before interventions begin.
• Take ownership of major rebuilds, refurbishments, modifications and upgrades.
• Manage engineering contractors, OEMs, fabrication shops, machine shops and specialist technical suppliers.
• Build strong relationships with external technical experts who can support a mature and diverse asset base.
• Drive permanent solutions to recurring technical problems rather than repeated short-term repairs.
• Manage approved CAPEX projects from planning through installation, commissioning, snag closure and handover.
• Establish clear performance acceptance criteria before commissioning and demonstrate that improvements are sustainable.
• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, Reliability, Automation, Procurement, Quality and Finance.
• Support the development of apprentices and junior technical employees.
• Maintain strong engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, equipment information, critical spares and project close-out records.
• Ensure all project and intervention work is executed safely and in accordance with OHSAct requirements Food Safety and National Standards.

The Person We Are Looking For

We are less interested in impressive job titles than in someone who has actually built, repaired, installed, commissioned and improved industrial equipment.

· Practical experience across manufacturing maintenance, engineering projects and plant operations.

· Hands-on technical credibility and the confidence to work directly with artisans, OEMs, contractors and production teams.

· Ability to diagnose practical equipment constraints and convert them into executable technical solutions.

· Experience in project planning, budgeting, contractor management, technical procurement, machinery installation and commissioning.

· Experience in maintenance, reliability improvement and spare-parts management.

· Ability to work in a high-pressure manufacturing environment where priorities must be managed without losing discipline around planning and safety.

· Beverage, food, FMCG, bottling, packaging or other high-speed manufacturing experience would be highly advantageous.

What Success Looks Like

Success will not be measured simply by how many projects are completed. We want to see:

• Production assets progressively returning toward sustainable rated capability.
• Recurring technical losses being permanently eliminated.
• Engineering interventions starting fully prepared, with parts and specialist resources ready.
• CAPEX projects delivered safely, on time and within budget.
• Measurable improvements in production capacity and equipment reliability.
• Clear handover of improved assets back to Production and Maintenance with the required documentation and spares.

RESTORE EXISTING CAPABILITY | ELIMINATE CHRONIC LOSSES | EXECUTE FUTURE CAPABILITY

Why Join Halewood?

This is an opportunity to have a visible, practical impact. The successful candidate will work in a technically challenging manufacturing environment with significant scope for improvement. For the right person, the reward is tangible: machines rebuilt, constraints removed, production capacity recovered, projects delivered and engineering standards strengthened.

We are looking for someone who enjoys that challenge and takes personal satisfaction from making physical assets work better than they did before.

Qualification: A relevant mechanical, electrical, mechatronic, millwright, fitting-and-turning or engineering qualification is preferred. Strong practical industrial experience may also be considered where the candidate can demonstrate the technical capability and project-delivery experience required for the role.

Role boundary: This role focuses on planned interventions, permanent technical improvements, asset recovery and project delivery.

Application route: apply via applyhalewood.com which includes a screening assessment

Pay: R420 000,00 - R540 000,00 per year

Education:

• Diploma (Preferred)

Experience:

• Project coordination: 6 years (Preferred)
• Preventive maintenance: 6 years (Preferred)
• Food processing: 6 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person