Location: Fisantekraal, Durbanville, Western Cape, South Africa
Closing Date: 23 April 2026
Company: Astral Foods (County Fair Division)
Job Type: Permanent – Maintenance / Engineering / FMCG Industry
Maintenance Fitter Vacancy – FMCG Processing Plant (Durbanville)
County Fair, part of the well-established Astral Group, is currently recruiting a skilled and experienced Maintenance Fitter to join their technical team at the Primary Processing Plant located in Fisantekraal, near Durbanville.
This role is critical to ensuring the smooth operation of high-volume poultry processing and rendering equipment. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining production efficiency, reducing downtime, and ensuring compliance with strict food safety and health regulations.
If you are a hands-on mechanical professional with strong FMCG maintenance experience, this opportunity offers long-term career growth in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
About the Role
The Maintenance Fitter will be responsible for performing both preventative and corrective maintenance on a wide range of mechanical processing equipment. The role requires strong technical knowledge, the ability to diagnose faults quickly, and the discipline to work in a highly regulated production environment.
You will be expected to support continuous production by ensuring all machinery operates at optimal performance levels, while minimizing breakdowns and downtime.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Completed N3 Mechanical Qualification
- Recognized Trade Certificate as a Fitter & Turner
- Strong mechanical engineering foundation with workshop experience
Experience Required
To be considered for this role, candidates must have:
- At least 5 years’ experience in FMCG factory maintenance
- Proven experience in mechanical repair and maintenance of industrial equipment
- Exposure to poultry processing plant machinery or rendering systems (highly advantageous)
- Experience working in a high-pressure production environment
- Basic to intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Key Technical Duties
The Maintenance Fitter will be responsible for a wide range of technical and operational tasks, including:
- Performing general machining work in the workshop
- Conducting preventative maintenance schedules
- Diagnosing and repairing mechanical faults on processing equipment
- Responding promptly to unscheduled breakdowns and production interruptions
- Carrying out installation and commissioning of processing machinery
- Supporting continuous improvement of plant equipment performance
- Ensuring all maintenance activities are completed efficiently and safely
Health, Safety & Compliance Responsibilities
The successful candidate must strictly adhere to all operational safety and compliance standards, including:
- Compliance with Health and Safety regulations
- Adherence to Food Safety standards
- Implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) systems
- Following Risk Control procedures
- Maintaining strict cleanliness and housekeeping standards
- Applying the 20 Keys continuous improvement methodology
Safety is a top priority, and all employees are expected to contribute to a safe working environment at all times.
Key Competencies & Skills Required
The ideal candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:
- Strong fault-finding and problem-solving ability
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and tight deadlines
- High level of attention to detail
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Strong mechanical aptitude and technical understanding
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently
- Self-motivated with a strong sense of responsibility
Additional Requirements
- Must have own reliable transport
- Must be willing to work shift patterns, overtime, and standby duties
- Must be physically fit and able to work in an industrial environment
- Must be willing to respond to emergency breakdown situations
- Must demonstrate professionalism and reliability at all times
Personal Attributes
We are looking for a candidate who is:
- Self-driven and highly motivated
- Detail-oriented and disciplined
- Committed to continuous improvement
- Able to work in a team-oriented environment
- Safety-conscious and proactive
- Adaptable to changing production demands
Why Join County Fair (Astral Foods)?
Working at Astral Foods provides the opportunity to be part of one of South Africa’s leading integrated poultry producers. Employees benefit from:
- A stable and reputable employer in the FMCG sector
- Exposure to advanced processing technology and systems
- Opportunities for technical development and career growth
- A structured and safety-focused working environment
- Continuous learning and skills development opportunities
Career Growth Opportunity
This Maintenance Fitter position is not just a job it is a long-term career opportunity within the engineering and FMCG sector. Successful candidates may progress into:
- Senior Maintenance Technician roles
- Mechanical Supervisor positions
- Engineering Specialist roles
- Plant Maintenance Management pathways
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV along with certified copies of qualifications.
Ensure your application includes all relevant documents, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
Important Notice
The recruitment process at Astral Foods is strictly transparent and no payment is required at any stage of the application or selection process.
