Maintenance Manager (Forklift/Heavy Machinery)

About the role

The Maintenance Manager will lead the Johannesburg maintenance operations, ensuring safety, quality, cost control and timely delivery of field services. This senior position oversees a team of technicians and artisans, manages financial performance and drives operational excellence across all equipment repair activities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop a diverse team of technicians, artisans, apprentices and support staff, fostering a culture of performance and continuous improvement.
• Oversee profit and loss, monitor income, expenses and labour recovery to meet profitability targets.
• Plan, coordinate and execute maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with ISO, OHS and ASEC standards and adherence to production schedules.
• Optimize labour, equipment and material usage, managing department overheads and consumables.
• Enforce OEM and internal quality standards, conduct inspections, audits and root‑cause analysis to achieve first‑time quality.

Required profile

• Proven experience in managing maintenance operations for forklift and heavy‑machinery environments.
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills, with ability to coach and develop staff.
• Solid understanding of financial management, budgeting and cost‑containment strategies.
• Knowledge of ISO, OHS and ASEC regulatory requirements.
• Experience applying lean and PDCA principles to improve operational KPIs.

Required skills

• Forklift operation and heavy‑machinery maintenance
• OEM standards compliance
• ISO quality management systems
• OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) regulations
• ASEC compliance
• Lean manufacturing techniques
• PDCA (Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act) methodology

What we offer

• Leadership role with full accountability for a critical business function.
• Opportunity to influence strategic growth and customer satisfaction.
• Competitive remuneration package aligned with performance.