Job Summary:

The Repairs & Maintenance Manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair of Solid’Africa’s large-scale catering facility, ensuring that all kitchen equipment, utilities, and infrastructure function efficiently. This role involves leading a team of technicians, developing preventive maintenance programs, managing compliance with safety, food hygiene, and industry regulations, and optimizing facility operations to ensure seamless food production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and oversee a preventive maintenance program for all kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, gas installations, security systems, and structural facilities.
• Create a scheduled maintenance calendar to minimize downtime and ensure operational efficiency.
• Conduct regular inspections, audits, and maintenance assessments to identify risks and prevent breakdowns.
• Lead and supervise a team of maintenance technicians, ensuring proper task allocation and on-time execution of maintenance work.
• Establish an equipment life-cycle plan to guide procurement, service, and replacements.
• Ensure all kitchen machinery and utilities (industrial ovens, walk-in refrigerators, freezers, food processors, mixers, gas burners, dishwashers, water filtration systems, boilers, exhaust ventilation systems, etc.) are fully functional and well-maintained.
• Oversee and coordinate repairs, servicing, and installations of critical infrastructure, including power supply, gas systems, wastewater treatment, and fire safety equipment.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, energy consumption records, and spare parts inventory to track facility performance.
• Ensure all facility modifications and upgrades align with regulatory requirements and sustainability best practices.
• Respond swiftly to urgent maintenance issues to minimize disruptions to food production.
• Investigate the root causes of recurring equipment failures and implement long-term solutions.
• Develop and implement contingency plans for power outages, water supply failures, and other unexpected disruptions.
• Coordinate with external contractors, suppliers, and service providers for specialized repairs and equipment servicing.
• Supervise and mentor the maintenance team, ensuring high performance, skills development, and professional growth.
• Develop and implement training programs on equipment handling, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety protocols.
• Ensure maintenance staff adhere to operational standards, efficiency practices, and safety guidelines always.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the maintenance department.
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including HACCP, OSHA, and environmental policies.
• Implement and enforce workplace safety procedures to prevent accidents, injuries, and equipment-related hazards.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure all safety equipment (fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, ventilation, etc.) is fully operational.
• Keep up to date with industry best practices, sustainability trends, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and safety.
• Develop and manage the maintenance department budget, optimizing costs without compromising quality.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and strategic procurement.
• Evaluate and negotiate service contracts with vendors, ensuring cost-effective maintenance solutions.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facility Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in maintenance management, preferably in a large-scale catering facility, food production plant, or hotel environment.
• Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment maintenance, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and gas installations.
• Proven experience in managing technical teams and overseeing large-scale facility operations.
• Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and maintenance scheduling software.
• Familiarity with OSHA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety/hygiene regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple maintenance tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.

Key Competencies:

• Technical expertise in facility maintenance, engineering, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Leadership & team management skills to effectively supervise and develop maintenance staff.
• Attention to detail to ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
• Proactive mindset to anticipate maintenance issues and implement preventive measures.
• Strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate with operations and senior management.

• Develop and oversee a preventive maintenance program for all kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, gas installations, security systems, and structural facilities.
• Create a scheduled maintenance calendar to minimize downtime and ensure operational efficiency.
• Conduct regular inspections, audits, and maintenance assessments to identify risks and prevent breakdowns.
• Lead and supervise a team of maintenance technicians, ensuring proper task allocation and on-time execution of maintenance work.
• Establish an equipment life-cycle plan to guide procurement, service, and replacements.
• Ensure all kitchen machinery and utilities (industrial ovens, walk-in refrigerators, freezers, food processors, mixers, gas burners, dishwashers, water filtration systems, boilers, exhaust ventilation systems, etc.) are fully functional and well-maintained.
• Oversee and coordinate repairs, servicing, and installations of critical infrastructure, including power supply, gas systems, wastewater treatment, and fire safety equipment.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, energy consumption records, and spare parts inventory to track facility performance.
• Ensure all facility modifications and upgrades align with regulatory requirements and sustainability best practices.
• Respond swiftly to urgent maintenance issues to minimize disruptions to food production.
• Investigate the root causes of recurring equipment failures and implement long-term solutions.
• Develop and implement contingency plans for power outages, water supply failures, and other unexpected disruptions.
• Coordinate with external contractors, suppliers, and service providers for specialized repairs and equipment servicing.
• Supervise and mentor the maintenance team, ensuring high performance, skills development, and professional growth.
• Develop and implement training programs on equipment handling, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety protocols.
• Ensure maintenance staff adhere to operational standards, efficiency practices, and safety guidelines always.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the maintenance department.
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including HACCP, OSHA, and environmental policies.
• Implement and enforce workplace safety procedures to prevent accidents, injuries, and equipment-related hazards.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure all safety equipment (fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, ventilation, etc.) is fully operational.
• Keep up to date with industry best practices, sustainability trends, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and safety.
• Develop and manage the maintenance department budget, optimizing costs without compromising quality.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and strategic procurement.
• Evaluate and negotiate service contracts with vendors, ensuring cost-effective maintenance solutions.

• Technical expertise in facility maintenance, engineering, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Leadership & team management skills to effectively supervise and develop maintenance staff.
• Attention to detail to ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
• Proactive mindset to anticipate maintenance issues and implement preventive measures.
• Strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate with operations and senior management.
• Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and maintenance scheduling software.
• Familiarity with OSHA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety/hygiene regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple maintenance tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.

• Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facility Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in maintenance management, preferably in a large-scale catering facility, food production plant, or hotel environment.
• Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment maintenance, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and gas installations.
• Proven experience in managing technical teams and overseeing large-scale facility operations.
• Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and maintenance scheduling software.
• Familiarity with OSHA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety/hygiene regulations.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple maintenance tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.