About Kivu Choice

Kivu Choice is Rwanda’s largest protein producer and one of the fastest-growing aquaculture companies in Africa. Founded in 2022, Kivu Choice is the sister company to Victory Farms, East Africa’s leading aquaculture platform based in Kenya. The company operates a fully vertically integrated aquaculture model, encompassing hatchery operations, cage-based grow-out, processing, distribution, and sales. Kivu Choice is also one of the country’s largest employers with over 700 employees, and plans to grow to 1,200 employees within the next three years, reflecting its strong commitment to job creation and inclusive economic development. Over the next five years, Kivu Choice aims to scale into Africa’s largest and most sustainable protein producer, producing and distributing 30,000 tons of fish annually for the Rwandan market and for export across the region.

About the Role

Kivu Choice is looking for a Marine Mechanical Engineer to lead and optimize our maintenance operations across the value chain. The role is responsible for overseeing maintenance activities at Kivu Choice, including fish farming production and distribution operations in Rwanda. Reporting to the Director of Farming, the role ensures the reliability and performance of critical assets, including the vehicle fleet, boats, and cold chain equipment. The Marine Mechanical Engineer leads a team of specialized technicians, implements preventive maintenance plans, manages budgets and spare parts, and ensures all work complies with safety and operational standards. This role is essential to minimizing downtime and supporting the smooth, efficient delivery of high-quality fish to market.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate all maintenance operations across three core functions: fleet, boats, and cold chain equipment.
• Supervise and support three dedicated technicians, each assigned to one of the following areas:
  • Fleet maintenance: Ensure routine servicing, diagnostics, and repairs of trucks and utility vehicles to guarantee safe and efficient transport operations.
  • Boat maintenance: Maintain outboard engines and ensure safe, reliable operation of boats used in production.
  • Cold chain maintenance: Manage the upkeep of all cold chain assets including refrigerated trucks, reefers, ice-making machines, and other electrical installations critical for fish preservation.
• Plan and implement preventive maintenance schedules to reduce breakdowns, minimize downtime, extend asset lifespan and support uninterrupted operations.
• Coordinate timely repairs and manage relationships with external service providers when needed.
• Maintain updated records of all maintenance activities, equipment status, and spare parts inventory.
• Monitor and manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, and service contracts.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and cost control.
• Develop and enforce safety and compliance standards for all maintenance activities.
• Report regularly to the Operations Director on performance, issues, and improvement opportunities (with functional reporting line to the Construction Director).
• Support the development and integration of CRM and operational systems to streamline logistics, inventory management, and overall maintenance activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or technical diploma in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance, or related field.
• Minimum 6-7 years of experience in maintenance management or supervision, preferably in an industrial or agri-processing setting.
• Technical knowledge of vehicle mechanics, marine engine maintenance, and cold chain systems (especially electrical systems).
• Proficiency in MS Office and inventory management systems
• Experience leading technical teams and coordinating across departments.

Other Skills:

• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Hands-on, proactive approach with a problem-solving mindset.
• Budgeting and reporting ability.
• Good communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda
• Knowledge of ERP systems (ERPNext experience is a strong asset)
• Willingness to be based at Kivu Choice farm and travel occasionally to other locations

• Oversee and coordinate all maintenance operations across three core functions: fleet, boats, and cold chain equipment.
• Supervise and support three dedicated technicians, each assigned to one of the following areas: Fleet maintenance: Ensure routine servicing, diagnostics, and repairs of trucks and utility vehicles to guarantee safe and efficient transport operations. Boat maintenance: Maintain outboard engines and ensure safe, reliable operation of boats used in production. Cold chain maintenance: Manage the upkeep of all cold chain assets including refrigerated trucks, reefers, ice-making machines, and other electrical installations critical for fish preservation.
• Plan and implement preventive maintenance schedules to reduce breakdowns, minimize downtime, extend asset lifespan and support uninterrupted operations.
• Coordinate timely repairs and manage relationships with external service providers when needed.
• Maintain updated records of all maintenance activities, equipment status, and spare parts inventory.
• Monitor and manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, and service contracts.
• Promote continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and cost control.
• Develop and enforce safety and compliance standards for all maintenance activities.
• Report regularly to the Operations Director on performance, issues, and improvement opportunities (with functional reporting line to the Construction Director).
• Support the development and integration of CRM and operational systems to streamline logistics, inventory management, and overall maintenance activities.

• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Hands-on, proactive approach with a problem-solving mindset.
• Budgeting and reporting ability.
• Good communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda
• Knowledge of ERP systems (ERPNext experience is a strong asset)

• Bachelor’s Degree or technical diploma in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance, or related field.
• Minimum 6-7 years of experience in maintenance management or supervision, preferably in an industrial or agri-processing setting.
• Technical knowledge of vehicle mechanics, marine engine maintenance, and cold chain systems (especially electrical systems).
• Proficiency in MS Office and inventory management systems
• Experience leading technical teams and coordinating across departments.