Technical Manager – Bolux Group

Job Description

Bolux Group is the largest grain milling company in Botswana, in addition to being a manufacturer of consumer goods. The company is the proud producer of the following brands: Al Super Maize Meal and Instant Porridge; Chobe Maize meal, Samp, Rice, and Instant Porridge; Snowwhite Flour and Complete Mixes; Maxi and GO Bread and Confectionery. Bolux Group is also the agent for Polana and Pasta King pasta products produced in Namibia.
We are currently looking for a Technical Manager. The incumbent will be based in Ramotswa, Botswana.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you shall have the responsibility to ensure execution of the company’s maintenance work activities and oversee the implementation of both reactive and preventative maintenance programs on electrical/electronical as well as mechanical for the Mill, Bakery, Extrusion, and premises to ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Your principal responsibilities shall include the following:
• Contribute to the formulation of the Operations, Strategic and Operating plan and managing sectional performance in accordance with these plans.
• Participate in short and long- term planning to determine maintenance cycle and expenditure, as well as capital expenditures for sustaining any future productivity improvements in the mill, bakery, pasta, extrusion, and packing.
• Participate in the formulation of the annual operating budget and monitor the maintenance costs to remain within the guidelines of the budget and explain variances to the Chief Executive Officer on a weekly basis.
• Lead the daily inspection of key machinery as part of the preventative maintenance program by visiting every department and doing a walk through with Maintenance Foremen.
• Facilitate the development and implementation of a maintenance plan for all company assets to ensure that they are maintained and kept in the best possible state, thus retaining, and enhancing their value and effective productivity.
• Manage all projects for replacement and growth based on sound project management principles.
• Work together with all HODs to understand and address their maintenance and capital requirements.
• Maintain adequate stock levels of mechanical components to ensure availability for maintenance work and reduce downtime by undertaking weekly stock checks at stores.
• Conduct the implementation and monitoring of quality standards within the function to ensure compliance with health and safety policies and procedures, legislation, as
well as ISO & FSSC standards.
• Ensure that appropriate risk assessments and working systems are in place.
• Use continuous improvement tools to identify areas of improvement within budget parameters.
• Undertake physical labelling of assets and reconciliation with asset register and service manager after every new project completed.
• Participate in all Operations committees or teams as directed by the Chief Executive Officer and manage the welfare of staff in the Engineering Department.
• Inspect all completed jobs and ensure they are as per set quality parameters and standards.
• Ensure proper allocation and utilization of all resources.
• Prepare Operations performance – monitoring reports for the Chief Executive Officer as required.
• Facilitate technical skills / capacity development through training, coaching, and counseling within the section to ensure the team has the right competencies to deliver its mandate.
• Manage performance of direct subordinates and ensure performance management systems are systematically deployed within the section.
• Participate actively in the implementation of ISO, FSSC, and Kaizen programs in order to contribute to company compliance with Health. Safety and Environmental Policies.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate should have at least ten (10) years’ experience in a similar position in the FMCG industry. A Degree in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering or Millwright is required. Experience in Programmable Logical Control (PLC), best operating practices, as well as legislation compliance, audits, and project management, are a requirement.
The candidate must also possess strong communication skills and be an experienced manager of people; tough and demanding in respect of performance standards.