Maintenance Manager

Maintenance Manager

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Durban

Keywords: maintenance processes, petrochemical industry, team development, reliability programmes, HSSE leadership, contractor management, outage management, multidisciplinary team

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Maintenance Manager to join a leading organisation in Durban, overseeing the Maintenance operation. This pivotal role is responsible for managing a diverse and multidisciplinary team across Mechanical, Electrical & Instruments, Civils, Tankage, and Maintenance Services. You will play a crucial part in ensuring the reliability and availability of terminal assets through robust maintenance strategies and collaborative teamwork. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will be empowered to shape the vision for your department, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and foster a culture of safety and operational excellence. The organisation offers flexible working opportunities, comprehensive training programmes, and a supportive environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged.

• Lead a highly skilled team across multiple engineering disciplines to ensure optimal asset reliability and availability at a major terminal facility in Durban.
• Drive strategic maintenance planning, staff development, and project execution while collaborating closely with key stakeholders to achieve business objectives.
• Benefit from flexible working opportunities, ongoing training, and a supportive leadership structure that values your experience and commitment to safety.

What you'll do:

As Maintenance Manager, you will be entrusted with shaping the future direction of the Maintenance organisation. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve setting strategic priorities for your multidisciplinary team, ensuring that all assets are maintained to meet stringent reliability targets. You will coordinate complex outage management activities, oversee tankage plan development, and lead improvement-driven maintenance projects. By nurturing staff capabilities and fostering an inclusive environment built on trust and collaboration, you will help drive operational success. Your ability to manage vendor relationships and champion HSSE best practices will be essential in delivering safe, efficient outcomes that align with broader business goals.

• Define a clear vision for the maintenance team in alignment with key stakeholders and develop effective strategies to achieve organisational goals.
• Oversee the maintenance of all assets by implementing structured plans for both routine work and scheduled outages.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive tankage maintenance plans that support the long-term objectives of the terminal business.
• Lead the execution of maintenance projects resulting from various improvement campaigns, ensuring timely delivery within budgetary constraints.
• Supervise the routine and programme-based maintenance activities across mechanical, electrical, instrument, civil, and tankage disciplines.
• Take ownership of contracts with vendors providing services to the maintenance programme, ensuring compliance with quality standards and safety regulations.
• Identify opportunities for reliability improvements by initiating and implementing targeted programmes and projects.
• Foster the professional development of staff within the maintenance organisation by aligning individual growth with team deliverables.
• Provide visible leadership in Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE), effectively managing associated risks as a Section 16.2 Appointee.
• Collaborate closely with operations teams to deliver shared business objectives while maintaining high standards of interpersonal communication.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for this Maintenance Manager position brings extensive experience from within the petrochemical or heavy industry sectors. Your background includes significant time spent managing multidisciplinary teams where you have demonstrated empathy, dependability, and strong interpersonal skills. You possess deep technical knowledge spanning mechanical, electrical, instrument, civil engineering principles as well as contract management expertise. Your proven ability to nurture talent within your team while upholding rigorous safety standards sets you apart as a trusted leader. With a pragmatic mindset towards problem-solving and an unwavering commitment to HSSE best practices, you are adept at navigating complex operational challenges while building positive relationships across all levels of the organisation.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or other relevant discipline) is required for this position.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience within the petrochemical or heavy industry sector is essential to ensure familiarity with complex operational environments.
• At least 6 years’ managerial experience leading diverse teams across multiple engineering disciplines is necessary for success in this role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of maintenance processes including tankage maintenance and outage management is vital for effective performance.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise senior professionals while fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation is highly valued.
• Strong interpersonal skills are required to collaborate effectively with operations teams and external partners alike.
• Proven track record in contractor management ensures seamless integration of third-party services into core maintenance activities.
• In-depth understanding of reliability processes and techniques supports continuous improvement initiatives throughout the asset lifecycle.
• Experience as a Section 16.2 Appointee highlights your commitment to HSSE leadership and risk management within industrial settings.
• Pragmatic approach to problem solving combined with accident investigation expertise enables you to address challenges proactively.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as an employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every employee’s contribution is recognised. With a focus on flexible working opportunities tailored to support work-life balance, employees benefit from generous training programmes designed to enhance both technical skills and personal growth. The company’s supportive leadership encourages open communication and collaboration across departments—ensuring that everyone feels connected to shared goals. Employees are empowered through access to modern resources while being part of a culture that prioritises safety, wellbeing, and professional development at every stage of their career journey. As part of this forward-thinking team in Durban’s vibrant industrial landscape, you will find ample opportunity for advancement alongside colleagues who value kindness, loyalty, and communal achievement.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge as Maintenance Manager in Durban’s thriving industrial sector—your next career move awaits!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; join a team where your expertise makes a lasting impact.