Packaging Technical Expert

About the Role

This position is focused on improving the reliability of selected packaging equipment and lowering maintenance spend, while supporting the wider departmental goals. The role works closely with Zone Technical Experts, vendor specialists, and brewery teams to raise equipment performance and strengthen operational standards.

What You’ll Do

• Help maintain a workplace that is safe, healthy, and free from risk for the assigned machine group.
• Ensure equipment is safe to run, meets environmental requirements, and consistently supports product quality standards.
• Coach artisans and operators to deliver 100% uptime, zero safety incidents, zero quality incidents, and controlled use of utilities such as water and energy.
• Understand VPO and how its pillars connect to support the move toward world-class operations.
• Drive Autonomous Operations by carrying out the required steps directly and practically.
• Restore equipment to an “as new” state by removing or controlling early deterioration.
• Create a stable base for addressing normal wear and tear through preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Apply data-based methods to improve equipment reliability by building, refining, and optimizing maintenance plans.
• Optimize maintenance costs, medium- and long-term plans, and spare-parts holdings to stay within the approved ZBB budget.
• Use data to identify, develop, train, and assess technical skill interventions that close performance gaps.
• Improve equipment outcomes by strengthening the technical capability of relevant team members.
• Document technical know-how through SOPs and SWIs.
• Take an active role in problem-solving sessions such as 5 Why reviews, Abnormality Reports, and PDCA/ITF activities to ensure accurate root-cause analysis and effective preventive actions.
• Drive better equipment performance by ensuring preventive actions are implemented effectively.
• Manage machine-related projects for the assigned group to improve reliability, quality, and cost, in agreement with the Pack Engineer or ZTE.
• Deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and to the agreed specification.
• Ensure maintenance spend for the assigned machine group remains compliant with the ZBB budget.
• Work with ZTEs, vendors, and reverse engineering specialists to achieve KPI targets.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong resilience and the ability to perform well in a demanding, high-pressure setting.
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Very high attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to influence people at different levels of the organization.
• Proven leadership and management ability.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Innovative, persuasive, assertive, and able to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to set high standards and bring the team along to meet them.

Requirements

• National Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related field, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a similar discipline.
• An additional business qualification is an advantage.
• Belt qualification is required.
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in a similar FMCG role, such as controller, supervisor, or senior technician.

Additional Information

Band: VIII

Equal Opportunity Notice

The employer is an equal opportunity organization. Hiring decisions will follow the company’s employment equity plan and talent requirements. The advert lists only the minimum criteria, and management may consider other relevant information when shortlisting candidates.