Website Robert Walters
Robert Walters is a global, specialist professional recruitment consultancy. "Our story begins in 1985, when our CEO, Robert Walters, opened the first office in Central London. Rob has led the company ever since and has the same passion and commitment today. Over the last 30 years the busines… read mores has grown and so has our ambition. We now operate across 27 countries and employ over 3,000 people. It’s a powerful success story built on the strength of our people. Organizations rely on us to find high quality professionals for a range of specialist roles. Professionals who are looking for a new role, whether it’s on a permanent, interim or contract basis, trust us to find them their ideal job. I believe that Robert Walters is something special. But I and others in the company never forget that the most important person to us is you – whether you’re a hiring manager or a job seeker." Giles Daubeney, Deputy CEO, Robert Walters Green Park Corner, Green Park Corner Cnr West Road South and, Lower Rd, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Site Engineering Manager to take on a pivotal role at a leading manufacturing facility in Johannesburg.
This position offers you the chance to oversee all engineering projects and maintenance activities, ensuring the seamless operation of utilities, production lines, processing plants, and buildings.
You will be instrumental in driving improvements that contribute directly to the factory’s performance targets, while also maintaining operational excellence across all support elements.
The organisation is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where your expertise in managing engineering spares, assets, and site services will be highly valued. With a strong focus on innovation, safety, and sustainability, this role provides an excellent platform for you to make a significant impact while enjoying flexible working opportunities and ongoing professional development.
Take full ownership of engineering projects and maintenance across a large-scale manufacturing site, with responsibility for both operational efficiency and strategic improvements.
Work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that enhance productivity, reduce waste, and support sustainability goals within a supportive and inclusive workplace.
Benefit from flexible working opportunities and access to continuous training programmes designed to help you grow your technical expertise and leadership skills.
What you’ll do:
As Site Engineering Manager in Johannesburg, you will play a central role in shaping the future of the facility’s engineering landscape. Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you guiding multidisciplinary teams through complex projects that span from initial design concepts right through to successful implementation.
You will be expected to foster close collaboration between technical staff and other departments to ensure that every aspect of plant operation runs smoothly.
By focusing on continuous improvement initiatives—particularly those related to sustainability—you will help drive operational excellence while supporting the professional growth of your team.
Your ability to manage budgets effectively and maintain rigorous safety standards will be crucial in achieving both short-term objectives and long-term strategic goals.
This is an outstanding opportunity for someone who thrives in an environment where teamwork is paramount and where your contributions can have a lasting positive impact on both people and processes.
Oversee the technical and maintenance teams responsible for delivering projects, innovation initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and essential services throughout the site.
Develop, deploy, and implement comprehensive plans to maximise asset utilisation while providing guidance on effective maintenance strategies for all equipment and facilities.
Lead the implementation of new technologies and process innovations by collaborating with regional networks and technology experts to ensure best-in-class manufacturing practices are adopted.
Prepare and manage capital budgets as well as capital expenditure proposals in alignment with broader organisational requirements, ensuring financial discipline across all engineering activities.
Liaise with category specialists and engineering excellence teams to facilitate technology upgrades that keep the site at the forefront of industry standards.
Drive the execution of approved capital projects from inception through to closure by applying Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) principles for early equipment management.
Champion health, safety, and environmental standards by establishing robust procedures for project design, equipment selection, implementation, commissioning, and handover.
Continuously improve site infrastructure by developing plans that address energy efficiency, water usage, steam generation, treatment processes, contracts management, and contractor oversight.
Collaborate with operations teams to enhance line efficiencies while reducing waste through targeted process improvements.
Manage budgets related to projects, innovation initiatives, and maintenance; establish preventative maintenance systems based on TPM methodologies to ensure asset longevity.
What you bring:
To excel as Site Engineering Manager you will bring not only deep technical knowledge but also exceptional interpersonal skills that allow you to build trust-based relationships across diverse teams.
Your background should include substantial experience within fast-moving consumer goods or similar high-volume manufacturing environments where attention to detail is critical.
You will have demonstrated your ability to manage complex projects from conception through completion—balancing competing priorities without losing sight of quality or cost objectives.
Your approach should be grounded in empathy; understanding how best to support colleagues’ growth while nurturing an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.
A commitment to upholding rigorous safety standards combined with sound judgement when making decisions about resource allocation or process changes will set you apart.
Above all else your passion for continuous improvement—whether through sustainability initiatives or innovative problem-solving—will inspire those around you.
A BSc degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical) is required for this position as it forms the foundation for understanding complex technical challenges within a manufacturing environment.
Possession of a Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) is essential as it demonstrates your capability to manage statutory compliance within industrial settings.
Between five to ten years’ experience working within FMCG or manufacturing operations is necessary so you can bring proven insights into supply chain dynamics including planning, customer service, logistics, and process optimisation.
Demonstrated proficiency in leading large teams as well as managing relationships with stakeholders such as suppliers, third parties, contractors, and internal partners is vital for success in this role.
Experience overseeing end-to-end project delivery—including design phases, budget creation/control processes, execution stages—is required so you can confidently handle multiple concurrent initiatives.
A track record of implementing preventative maintenance systems based on TPM principles will enable you to drive asset care improvements across the site.
Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations ensures that all project-related activities are conducted safely while meeting legal requirements.
Excellent communication skills are needed so you can effectively share technical knowledge with colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
The ability to coach others on technical issues supports ongoing team development while building organisational expertise relevant to product processing and packaging assets.
Apply via company website ( https://www.robertwalters.co.za/ ) or
www.robertwaltersafrica.com