Maintenance Lead (Cape Town)

Job description

Job Summary
The Maintenance Lead is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility infrastructure within a cosmetics manufacturing environment. The role focuses on minimizing downtime, implementing preventive maintenance programs, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement initiatives

Requirements

• Ideally located in the Southern Suburbs
• A valid driver’s license
• Reliable transport is essential

• Plan, schedule, and oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Ensure rapid response to equipment breakdowns to minimize production downtime.
• Monitor equipment performance and recommend improvements.
• Manage maintenance work orders using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). 

• Maintain and troubleshoot:
• Mixing vessels and homogenizers
• Filling and packaging lines
• Labelling machines
• Conveyors
• Pumps
• Compressors
• Water purification systems (RO/DI)
• Boilers and steam systems
• Air compressors
• Perform root cause analysis on recurring failures.
• Develop and implement equipment reliability improvement plans.

• Ensure compliance with:
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• SO 22716 (Cosmetic GMP)
• Occupational health and safety requirements
• Environmental regulations
• Conduct safety inspections and risk assessments.
• Maintain calibration records and equipment documentation.
• Ensure Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are followed.

• Implement Lean Manufacturing and 5S initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Participate in CAPA investigations and corrective actions.
• Support new equipment installation and commissioning.

• Manage maintenance spare parts inventory.
• Coordinate with suppliers and contractors.
• Prepare maintenance budgets.

• Manufacturing plant environment.
• May require shift work and after-hours emergency call-outs.
• Exposure to machinery, chemicals, noise, and production environments.

Use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required

A successful maintenance lead consistently:

• Maximizes equipment reliability and production uptime.
• Ensures full compliance with GMP and safety standards.
• Reduces maintenance costs through preventive strategies.
• Supports continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Collaborates effectively with production, quality, and engineering teams to meet manufacturing targets.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education
Diploma or degree in:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Mechatronics
• Industrial engineering
• Equivalent technical qualification

Experience

• 2-4 years of maintenance experience in FMCG, pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetics manufacturing.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience maintaining automated production and packaging equipment

• Mechanical and electrical troubleshooting
• PLC fault finding (e.g. Siemens, Allen-Bradley)
• Pneumatics and hydraulics
• Preventive and predictive maintenance
• Root cause analysis (RCA)
• Utilities management
• Building maintenance
• Calibration systems
• GMP documentation

• Leadership and team management
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Strong communication skills
• Planning and organizational skills
• Decision-making under pressure
• Attention to detail
• Continuous improvement mindset

• Trade test (Mechanical or electrical artisan), where applicable
• Certified maintenance and reliability professional (CMRP)
• OSHA or equivalent occupational safety training
• First Aid and FiemSafety certification

Company Description

The Cape Town Toiletry Co (CTTC) operate at the cutting edge of global trends. We design, formulate, manufacture and distribute OEM private label and white label products for retailers, offering exquisite, innovative and exemplary products, made in Cape Town, South Africa, by our diverse team.