Greenhouse Facilities & Equipment Maintenance Manager

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Greenhouse Facilities & Equipment Maintenance Manager to lead the upkeep of our state‑of‑the‑art horticultural greenhouse complex in the Port Elizabeth area. The role is live‑out and requires hands‑on supervision of all mechanical, electrical and structural systems to ensure optimal production conditions.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, schedule and execute preventive and corrective maintenance for greenhouse structures, frames, cladding, vents and shading systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot climate control, ventilation and automated environmental controllers.
• Service drip irrigation and fertigation networks, including pumps, filters, valves, dosing units and water storage tanks.
• Repair mechanical and electrical equipment such as lighting, boom irrigators, dosing equipment and sensor arrays (temperature, humidity, EC/pH).
• Oversee support infrastructure including drainage, pathways, processing areas, water treatment and backup power systems.
• Develop long‑term maintenance plans, manage spare‑parts inventory and control budgets.
• Supervise, train and coordinate a team of maintenance technicians.

Required profile

• Diploma or degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Agricultural Engineering, Horticulture Technology or related field (or equivalent vocational certification).
• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on maintenance experience in greenhouses, protected agriculture or intensive vegetable production.
• Valid driver’s licence; forklift certification is an advantage.

Required skills

• Greenhouse climate control systems
• Drip irrigation and fertigation technology (e.g., Netafim, Richel)
• Electrical wiring and control panels
• Plumbing and water‑treatment systems
• Welding and metal fabrication
• HVAC principles
• Preventive maintenance software or record‑keeping tools