Artisan Manager (Mechanical) – FMCG Food Manufacturing

About the role

An established FMCG food manufacturing company in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Artisan Manager (Mechanical) to lead its maintenance team in a high‑speed production environment. The role focuses on people development, preventative maintenance, continuous improvement and ensuring maximum plant reliability.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the maintenance department to achieve maximum equipment uptime.
• Supervise, mentor and develop artisans and apprentices.
• Drive preventative and predictive maintenance programmes.
• Manage breakdown response, root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company standards.
• Control maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory and contractor performance.
• Collaborate closely with production to improve plant efficiency and reliability.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Trade Tested Fitter or Millwright with a mechanical bias.
• Minimum 10 years post‑trade maintenance experience.
• At least 5 years in a supervisory or management role within fast‑moving FMCG food manufacturing.
• Strong mechanical fault‑finding and maintenance background on production equipment.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, coach and develop maintenance teams.
• Good understanding of health, safety and food manufacturing standards.
• Fully bilingual in Afrikaans and English.
• Valid driver’s licence and residence in the Cape Town area.

Required skills

• Mechanical maintenance
• Preventative maintenance
• CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System)
• Fitter
• Millwright