VKB Group is hiring a Maintenance Assistant at Grain Field Chickens Reitz Abattoir in Reitz, Free State. This is a permanent maintenance job within the VKB Agri Processors division and is suited to candidates with electrical or mechanical training and experience in a chicken abattoir or manufacturing plant.
Maintenance Assistant Job at Grain Field Chickens
The successful candidate will assist a qualified artisan with day-to-day maintenance activities in the plant. The Maintenance Assistant will support machinery inspections, preventative maintenance, breakdown repairs, workshop organisation and general maintenance activities.
The role is important for reducing plant downtime and ensuring that production equipment remains safe, operational and reliable.
About Grain Field Chickens
Grain Field Chickens, a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (PTY) Ltd, operates within the integrated broiler industry. Its abattoir is located in Reitz in the North-Eastern Free State, providing an opportunity to work in a professional agricultural and food-processing environment.
Maintenance Assistant Requirements
Applicants should meet the following minimum requirements:
- Grade 12 or NQF Level 4 equivalent.
- N2 Certificate in Electrical or Mechanical studies.
- Relevant mechanical courses will be advantageous.
- At least 2 years’ experience in a similar position in a chicken abattoir or manufacturing plant.
- Thorough understanding of health and safety requirements.
- Basic knowledge or awareness of poultry plant machinery.
- Willingness to work overtime, including shifts, weekends and public holidays when required.
Candidates should be comfortable working in a production environment and assisting artisans with maintenance, repairs and equipment inspections.
Maintenance Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
The Maintenance Assistant will work closely with qualified artisans and support the maintenance of machinery, tools and infrastructure throughout the production plant.
Key responsibilities include:
- Maintaining, cleaning and organising the workshop.
- Helping to minimise plant downtime and prevent unnecessary production losses.
- Conducting daily inspections of machinery and tools inside the production plant.
- Recording inspection findings and preparing reports.
- Ensuring monthly planned maintenance is completed on machinery and tools according to the required schedule.
- Continuously inspecting conveyors to ensure they remain operational and functional.
- Repairing relevant buildings and infrastructure when requested by management.
- Applying and supporting ISO, HACCP, Occupational Health and Safety and 20 Keys requirements in the workplace.
- Assisting artisans during plant breakdowns.
- Helping repair equipment damage as quickly as possible to minimise breakdown time.
- Liaising with internal departments to support service and product quality.
- Performing other reasonable duties assigned by management.
Skills Required
The ideal Maintenance Assistant should demonstrate:
- Good observation and analytical skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent client service orientation.
- Conflict-handling skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Ability to follow directions and technical instructions.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Working Environment
This position is based in a production and abattoir environment where equipment reliability and workplace safety are essential. The successful candidate must be prepared to work shifts and overtime, including weekends and public holidays when operational requirements demand it.
Candidates should also understand the importance of hygiene, food-processing standards, occupational health and safety and preventative maintenance in a poultry production environment.
Maintenance Assistant Vacancy Details
Job Title: Maintenance Assistant
Company: VKB Group
Business Unit: Grain Field Chickens Reitz Abattoir
Division: VKB Agri Processors
Location: Reitz, Free State
Industry: Agriculture
Functional Area: Engineering
Employment Type: Permanent
Experience Level: Associate
Closing Date: 7 September 2026
How to Apply for the Maintenance Assistant Job
Candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply for the Maintenance Assistant Grain Field Chickens Abattoir vacancy before 7 September 2026.
Applicants should upload only their CV in the Upload CV section. Supporting documents such as identification and licences should not be combined into the CV PDF; the application form provides separate sections for supporting documentation.
If uploading a profile picture, the required minimum size is 300 x 300 pixels.
For candidates with an N2 Electrical or Mechanical qualification and relevant abattoir or manufacturing experience, this Maintenance Assistant position offers an opportunity to build practical maintenance experience within a large agricultural and food-processing operation.
