Shift Fitter (X2) At Festive

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of the Shift Fitter is to ensure the continued availability, reliability, and safe operation of production machinery and mechanical equipment during manufacturing shifts.

The successful candidates will be responsible for carrying out preventative and corrective maintenance, attending to mechanical breakdowns, conducting fault finding, and supporting general plant maintenance activities. The role will require the ability to identify mechanical problems quickly and implement effective solutions while minimising production downtime.

The Shift Fitter will also work closely with the Engineering and Production teams to ensure that equipment operates according to required standards and that maintenance activities are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidates will be responsible for a broad range of mechanical maintenance and engineering duties, including:

General Mechanical Maintenance

• Conduct general plant maintenance on mechanical equipment and production machinery.
• Inspect, maintain, repair, and replace mechanical components where required.
• Carry out maintenance on pumps, gearboxes, bearings, conveyors, shafts, drive systems, and other mechanical equipment.
• Identify worn, damaged, or defective components and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Assist in maintaining production equipment to ensure maximum availability and reliability.

Preventative Maintenance

• Perform scheduled preventative maintenance activities according to established maintenance plans.
• Inspect machinery regularly to identify potential mechanical faults before they result in equipment failure.
• Replace or repair components as part of preventative maintenance programmes.
• Ensure maintenance tasks are accurately completed and reported.
• Contribute towards reducing unplanned downtime and improving overall equipment efficiency.

Breakdown Maintenance and Fault Finding

• Attend to mechanical breakdowns promptly during active production shifts.
• Diagnose mechanical faults and determine the appropriate corrective action.
• Repair machinery and equipment efficiently while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Work under pressure during production stoppages and prioritise urgent maintenance requirements.
• Communicate equipment problems and completed repairs to relevant supervisors and team members.
• Assist in identifying recurring equipment failures and recommend improvements to prevent future breakdowns.

Workshop and Machining

• Perform general machining work in the engineering workshop.
• Use appropriate workshop machinery, tools, and equipment safely and correctly.
• Manufacture, repair, modify, or refurbish mechanical components when required.
• Maintain workshop equipment and ensure the work area remains clean and organised.
• Follow correct machining and engineering practices when producing or repairing components.

Food Safety, Quality and Housekeeping

The successful candidates will be expected to maintain high standards of hygiene, food safety, and housekeeping within the production environment.

Responsibilities will include:

• Implementing and maintaining 20 Keys principles within the workplace.
• Following HACCP requirements and applicable food safety procedures.
• Applying risk-control measures when performing maintenance activities.
• Following all company health, safety, quality, and environmental procedures.
• Maintaining good housekeeping standards in the workshop and production areas.
• Ensuring tools, equipment, spare parts, and maintenance materials are properly controlled and stored.
• Preventing maintenance activities from compromising food safety or production quality.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Grade 12 / Matric qualification.
• N3 qualification or equivalent.
• A recognised Trade Certificate as a Fitter.
• At least 5 years’ experience in factory or industrial maintenance.
• Strong practical mechanical maintenance experience.
• Good knowledge of mechanical equipment, machinery, and plant maintenance.
• Previous experience working with pumps, gearboxes, bearings, conveyors, and related mechanical systems.
• Good fault-finding and breakdown-repair capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Previous experience in a poultry processing plant will be an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate strong technical ability combined with a practical and disciplined approach to maintenance.

Important competencies include:

• Excellent mechanical maintenance skills.
• Strong fault-finding and diagnostic ability.
• Good understanding of preventative maintenance principles.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and technical information.
• Good knowledge of workshop tools and machining equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work accurately and pay attention to detail.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and productive under pressure.
• Strong commitment to health, safety, quality, and food safety.
• Good time-management and organisational skills.
• Willingness to learn and continuously improve technical knowledge.
• Ability to prioritise urgent breakdowns while maintaining scheduled maintenance activities.

Working Conditions

This is a shift-based engineering position in a busy poultry processing and manufacturing environment. The successful candidates must be prepared to work according to an operational shift roster.

The position may require employees to work:

• Rotating shifts.
• Overtime when required by the business.
• Weekends.
• Public holidays.
• During production breakdowns and emergency maintenance situations.
• In a physically demanding factory environment.

Because the role involves working with heavy machinery, moving equipment, mechanical systems, and production plant, employees must strictly follow all applicable safety procedures and use the required personal protective equipment.

The ability to respond quickly and effectively to breakdowns is essential, as mechanical equipment failures can directly affect production schedules and operational output.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Fitter with substantial factory maintenance experience and a strong understanding of mechanical production equipment. The candidate should be hands-on, dependable, safety-conscious, and capable of working independently when required.

Experience in a poultry processing environment would provide an advantage because it demonstrates familiarity with the demanding requirements of food production, hygiene, HACCP, production continuity, and high-speed processing equipment.

The successful candidate should also understand that shift fitting requires flexibility. Production does not always operate according to standard office hours, and breakdowns may occur at any time. Therefore, the ability to work shifts, overtime, weekends, and public holidays is an important requirement of the position.

This opportunity is suited to an experienced and qualified Fitter who is looking to apply their mechanical maintenance expertise in a large-scale food production environment. The successful candidates will contribute directly to the reliability of production equipment, reduction of downtime, workplace safety, food quality, and the overall efficiency of the Engineering Department.