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On any given day, two billion people use Unilever products to look good, feel good and get more out of life. With more than 400 brands focused on health and wellbeing, no company touches so many people’s lives in so many different ways. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to in… read moredulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names such as Blue Band, Pureit and Suave. For us, sustainability is integral to how we do business. With 7 billion people on our planet, the earth’s resources can be strained. This means sustainable growth is the only acceptable model of growth for our business. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan sets out to decouple our growth from our environmental impact, while at the same time increasing our positive social impact. Our Plan has three big goals that by 2020 will enable us to: – Help more than a billion people to improve their health and well-being. – Halve the environmental footprint of our products. – Source 100% of our agricultural raw materials sustainably and enhance the livelihoods of people across our value chain. We believe that as a business we have a responsibility to our consumers and to the communities in which we have a presence. Around the world we invest in local economies and develop people’s skills inside and outside of Unilever. And through our business and brands, we run a range of programmes to promote hygiene, nutrition, empowerment and environmental awareness. 15 Nollsworth crescent Durban North 4019, South Africa
We are looking for an Engineering Manager who has overall responsibility for engineering projects, maintenance, utilities, production lines, processing plants, and buildings within the sourcing unit. The role’s primary objective is to deliver engineering excellence, drive continuous improvement, and ensure safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations that contribute directly to factory performance and sustainability targets.
This role also leads asset care, engineering spares, site services, and capital project delivery to fully support manufacturing activities.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering, Projects & Asset Management
Lead technical and maintenance teams delivering projects, innovation, infrastructure, and site services.
Drive optimal utilization, reliability, and lifecycle management of site assets.
Lead innovation implementation, identifying fit‑for‑purpose design solutions aligned to category and USCC/category technology standards.
Own and deliver the approved capital projects portfolio, from design through commissioning and handover, following TPM Early Equipment Management principles.
Prepare and manage Capital Expenditure proposals and budgets, aligned with cluster and category requirements.
Liaise with Category and Engineering Excellence teams on technology upgrades and standards.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
Ensure the highest standards of quality, delivered at optimal cost.
Accountable for Health, Safety & Environmental compliance across all engineering and project activities.
Lead safe design, implementation, commissioning, and handover, including PHA, HAZOPs, MDSAS, and site safety practices.
Ensure statutory and legal compliance across engineering contractors and operations.
Operational Excellence & TPM
Lead the Early Equipment Management and Planned Maintenance TPM pillars, including SIMAS application.
Establish and continuously improve preventative maintenance systems for plant and services.
Drive improvements in MTBF, MTTR, maintenance cost optimisation, and spare‑parts inventory in line with working capital targets.
Implement controls for accurate spare‑parts accounting and consumption.
Sustainability & Utilities
Lead infrastructure improvements across energy, water, steam, and effluent treatment.
Implement energy efficiency and sustainability projects aligned to Unilever goals.
Manage utilities, contracts, contractors, and service reliability.
People & Capability Leadership
Coach, develop, and build engineering and technical capability across the site.
Actively lead talent, performance, and skills development to deliver sustainable results.
Build and embed product, process, and packaging expertise relevant to the site asset base.
Foster a safety‑first, inclusive, and high‑performance culture.
Qualifications & Experience
BSc Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical)
Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) – essential
3–5 years experience in FMCG or manufacturing operations
Proven experience leading end‑to‑end engineering projects, including design, budgeting, and execution
Strong leadership experience managing large teams, stakeholders, and third‑party partners
Solid exposure to FMCG supply chain engineering (manufacturing, customer service, logistics, process)
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Apply via company website ( https://www.unilever.co.za ) or