Maintenance Manager - Plant & Mechanical Maintenance

Overview

We seek a seasoned Plant & Mechanical Maintenance Manager to oversee and lead both mechanical and electrical maintenance within processing plants and cold-chain operations primarily situated in Kenya and Rwanda. This pivotal role ensures optimal equipment uptime, orchestrates preventive maintenance programs, manages technical teams alongside contractors, and upholds safety, cost efficiency, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the maintenance efforts and condition upkeep for mechanical and electrical plant assets.
• Oversee maintenance activities related to blast freezers, industrial refrigeration systems, cold rooms, conveyors, dryers, and ventilation units.
• Design and execute planned and preventive maintenance timetable to enhance operational reliability.
• Champion the shift from unplanned reactive breakdown repairs to a disciplined preventive maintenance framework.
• Lead and supervise technical personnel, external contractors, and maintenance agencies ensuring quality and timely execution.
• Organize daily maintenance operations, deploy manpower resources effectively, and track job completion status.
• Manage equipment installation cycles, including testing, commissioning, and formal handover processes.
• Oversee inventory management of essential maintenance spares, tools, fuel consumption, and associated operational costs.
• Maintain sufficient critical spare parts stock, coordinating procurement and vendor relations.
• Monitor equipment downtime metrics, maintenance effectiveness, and overall plant operational uptime.
• Perform root cause investigations after significant equipment breakdowns and initiate corrective strategies.
• Ensure adherence to occupational health, food safety protocols, and environmental regulations.
• Keep precise maintenance documentation and generate management reports regularly.
• Promote continuous enhancements in equipment reliability, uptime, cost control, and safety standards.

Technical Expertise

• Proven expertise in comprehensive plant and mechanical maintenance management.
• Practical experience with industrial refrigeration and cold chain systems.
• In-depth familiarity with blast freezers, cold rooms, conveyor belts, drying equipment, and ventilation units.
• Working knowledge of diesel generators, electrical troubleshooting techniques, hydraulics, and plumbing systems.
• Competence in planning and scheduling preventive maintenance procedures.
• Hands-on experience in equipment installation and commissioning practices.
• Strong skills in managing contractors and vendor relationships.

Educational and Professional Background

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 7 years' relevant experience in plant, processing, or facility maintenance environments.
• Experience in sectors such as food processing, cold chain logistics, feed milling, floriculture, or poultry operations is preferred.
• Work experience within East African operations is an advantage.
• Certification in HVAC or Refrigeration will be considered a bonus.