Millwright at ADM Nutrition

The role also involves collaborating with production teams, machine operators, fellow artisans, and management to identify equipment performance issues, implement sustainable technical solutions, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Key objectives of the role include:

• Maximizing plant availability, equipment reliability, and production efficiency.
• Minimizing unplanned breakdowns, equipment failures, and production downtime.
• Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and supporting production targets.
• Ensuring compliance with company safety standards and applicable legislation.
• Maintaining consistent equipment performance and product quality.
• Implementing effective preventative and planned maintenance strategies.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and cost reduction.
• Promoting safe working practices, teamwork, and operational excellence.

Main responsibilities

Electrical and mechanical maintenance

• Perform electrical and mechanical maintenance, repairs, installations, and equipment overhauls to ensure that production machinery remains in optimal operating condition.
• Identify potential equipment failures, investigate recurring faults, and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs.
• Conduct routine inspections of plant machinery and equipment to identify wear, damage, misalignment, loose connections, overheating, abnormal noise, vibration, and other potential defects.
• Carry out necessary adjustments, component replacements, and repairs to prevent equipment failure and maintain production continuity.
• Maintain and troubleshoot industrial equipment, including electric motors, gearboxes, pumps, belts, bucket elevators, screw conveyors, chain conveyors, bearings, couplings, and other mechanical and electrical components.
• Install, assemble, align, and commission machinery in accordance with technical specifications, manufacturer recommendations, and engineering standards.
• Test equipment following installation or repair to verify safe operation, functionality, and readiness for production.
• Ensure that all maintenance work is completed to the required quality standards and within established timeframes.

Preventative and planned maintenance

• Implement and follow established preventative and planned maintenance schedules to improve equipment reliability, extend machinery lifespan, and reduce unplanned breakdowns.
• Conduct routine lubrication, cleaning, tightening, adjustment, inspection, and component replacement activities as required.
• Identify early warning signs of equipment failure and recommend appropriate maintenance interventions to prevent costly downtime.
• Ensure that maintenance activities are completed in accordance with maintenance plans, company procedures, and engineering best practices.
• Assist in developing and improving maintenance schedules based on equipment condition, operational requirements, and recurring breakdown trends.
• Prioritize maintenance tasks according to equipment criticality, production demands, safety considerations, and the potential impact of equipment failure.
• Evaluate equipment performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
• Support maintenance planning by identifying critical spare parts and equipment requiring repair, refurbishment, or replacement.

Electrical fault-finding and control systems

• Diagnose and resolve electrical faults affecting production machinery, motors, control panels, wiring systems, lighting installations, and associated electrical equipment.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, circuit diagrams, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation to identify faults and complete repairs accurately.
• Troubleshoot electrical control systems, motor starters, variable speed drives, sensors, switches, and related control components.
• Conduct appropriate electrical tests to establish the root cause of equipment faults and implement effective corrective measures.
• Maintain electrical equipment in accordance with approved procedures, applicable legislation, and workplace safety requirements.
• Apply technical knowledge of instrumentation and industrial control systems to support equipment performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot pneumatic and hydraulic systems where required to maintain the efficient operation of production machinery.
• Report recurring electrical faults and recommend long-term solutions to prevent repeated failures.

Mechanical repairs, fitting and welding

• Perform mechanical fitting, fabrication, alignment, and repair work on plant machinery and associated equipment.
• Repair damaged or worn components and ensure that replacement parts are installed correctly to maintain equipment integrity.
• Conduct mechanical inspections to identify excessive wear, misalignment, fatigue, corrosion, and other defects that could cause equipment failure.
• Perform welding and fitting repairs as required, using appropriate tools, equipment, and techniques.
• Maintain and repair conveyor systems, pumps, gearboxes, bearings, shafts, couplings, and other mechanical components.
• Overhaul, refurbish, and prepare spare, standby, or outdated machinery to ensure replacement equipment is available when required.
• Ensure that repaired machinery meets operational and safety requirements before being returned to service.
• Recommend improvements to mechanical components and assemblies to enhance equipment reliability and reduce recurring maintenance costs.

Equipment reliability and production support

• Ensure maximum availability, reliability, and capacity utilization of production equipment through effective maintenance interventions.
• Respond promptly to equipment failures and carry out repairs to restore production operations safely and efficiently.
• Work closely with production personnel and machine operators to investigate operational problems and identify equipment-related performance losses.
• Provide technical support and guidance to operators on the correct use of machinery and the early identification of equipment abnormalities.
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and enhance OEE.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and problem-solving activities to address recurring breakdowns.
• Recommend practical improvements to reduce downtime, improve production output, and extend equipment service life.
• Support production targets by ensuring machinery is properly maintained and capable of operating at the required performance levels.

Safety, compliance and quality assurance

• Comply with all company health, safety, environmental, and quality policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure that maintenance activities are performed safely to protect employees, contractors, equipment, and the surrounding work environment.
• Adhere to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act), applicable electrical safety requirements, machinery safety standards, and relevant company procedures.
• Identify unsafe conditions, report hazards, and take appropriate corrective action to prevent injuries, incidents, and equipment damage.
• Ensure machinery is correctly adjusted, properly guarded, and free from identified safety hazards before being returned to service.
• Apply isolation, lockout and tagout, and permit-to-work procedures where applicable.
• Maintain good housekeeping and ensure that tools, spare parts, materials, and maintenance work areas remain clean, organized, and safe.
• Follow applicable quality assurance and product safety requirements to ensure that maintenance activities do not compromise manufacturing processes or product integrity.
• Report safety incidents, equipment defects, and potential operational risks to the relevant supervisor or manager.

Maintenance documentation and reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of inspections, repairs, breakdowns, component replacements, equipment overhauls, and preventative maintenance activities.
• Compile, maintain, and update electrical and mechanical equipment registers to support asset management and safety compliance.
• Record equipment defects, recurring failures, maintenance requirements, and observations relating to machinery condition.
• Communicate significant technical issues to the relevant supervisor and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Complete maintenance reports and work orders accurately and within the required timeframes.
• Assist with monitoring spare parts and identifying critical components required to support plant maintenance activities.
• Provide feedback on equipment reliability, maintenance performance, and recurring technical problems.
• Ensure that maintenance documentation is maintained in accordance with company procedures and operational requirements.

Teamwork, training and continuous improvement

• Work collaboratively with artisans, artisan assistants, production teams, engineering personnel, and other departments to achieve operational objectives.
• Guide, train, and coordinate the activities of the artisan assistant where required.
• Provide practical instruction and technical support to promote safe working practices and improve maintenance standards.
• Share technical knowledge and experience with colleagues to strengthen team capabilities and improve problem-solving.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing plant efficiency and equipment reliability.
• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance procedures, eliminate recurring failures, reduce downtime, and lower maintenance expenditure.
• Promote effective communication between maintenance and production teams to ensure that operational issues are addressed promptly.
• Encourage a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Standby and breakdown support

• Participate in standby duties, emergency breakdown response, call-outs, and overtime work as required by operational needs.
• Respond promptly to equipment failures and assess the nature and urgency of breakdowns.
• Diagnose faults and determine the most effective and safest repair approach.
• Perform emergency repairs efficiently to restore production operations while maintaining required safety standards.
• Investigate the underlying causes of breakdowns and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.
• Communicate the status of repairs, outstanding maintenance requirements, and equipment conditions to the relevant supervisor.
• Ensure that all emergency maintenance activities are documented appropriately.

Key skills and competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of industrial electrical and mechanical systems.
• Ability to install, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot manufacturing machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, mechanical drawings, circuit diagrams, engineering specifications, and equipment manuals.
• Practical experience with industrial electrical systems, control panels, motor control circuits, variable speed drives, electric motors, and wiring systems.
• Knowledge of mechanical fitting, machinery alignment, bearing replacement, gearbox maintenance, conveyor systems, pumps, lubrication systems, and mechanical assembly.
• Understanding of instrumentation, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, and industrial automation components.
• Strong electrical and mechanical fault-finding capabilities.
• Ability to conduct root-cause analysis and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Good planning, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to prioritize maintenance tasks and manage competing operational demands.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to supervisors, operators, artisans, and other stakeholders.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and remain focused under pressure.
• Commitment to continuous learning, technical development, and sustainable maintenance solutions.
• Strong awareness of occupational health and safety requirements and safe maintenance practices.

Personal characteristics

• Dependable, disciplined, and committed to high standards of workmanship.
• Safety-conscious, responsible, and consistent in following company procedures.
• Proactive in identifying potential equipment problems before they develop into major failures.
• Accountable and attentive to detail when performing maintenance activities.
• Strong analytical and logical approach to fault-finding and troubleshooting.
• Willingness to take ownership of maintenance tasks and follow them through to completion.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive working relationships.
• Willingness to share technical knowledge and support the development of junior team members.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing production and maintenance requirements.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions during breakdowns and urgent maintenance situations.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and operational excellence.
• Willingness to participate in standby duties, attend call-outs, and work overtime when required.

Qualifications and experience

• Matric certificate or an equivalent qualification.
• N3 qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Recognised Millwright Trade Test certificate.
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience as a qualified Millwright in a manufacturing, industrial, processing, or production environment.
• Practical experience in preventative maintenance, breakdown repairs, equipment installation, and electrical and mechanical fault-finding.
• Experience maintaining industrial machinery, motors, conveyors, pumps, gearboxes, and associated production equipment.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, equipment manuals, and electrical diagrams.
• Knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements and safe maintenance procedures.
• Experience with variable speed drives, electrical control panels, pneumatic systems, instrumentation, hydraulic equipment, welding, and mechanical fitting will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in a continuous production environment will be advantageous.
• Willingness to participate in standby arrangements, respond to emergency breakdowns, and work overtime when operationally required.

Performance expectations

The successful Millwright will be expected to contribute directly to improved plant reliability, reduced equipment downtime, increased production efficiency, and consistent product quality.

Key performance expectations include:

• Completing planned preventative maintenance activities within scheduled timeframes.
• Reducing unplanned equipment breakdowns and recurring mechanical and electrical failures.
• Improving equipment availability, reliability, and overall operational performance.
• Responding promptly and effectively to breakdowns and urgent maintenance requirements.
• Maintaining high standards of workmanship and ensuring that repairs are completed correctly.
• Complying with company safety procedures and applicable health and safety legislation.
• Maintaining accurate equipment registers, maintenance records, and technical reports.
• Supporting production targets through effective maintenance planning and execution.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and implementing sustainable solutions.
• Working effectively with production teams, fellow artisans, and supervisors.
• Supporting the development and technical guidance of artisan assistants where required.
• Demonstrating accountability, professionalism, and a strong commitment to operational excellence.

How to apply

Interested candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and experience requirements are encouraged to apply for this opportunity.

• Prepare an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) outlining your Millwright experience, technical skills, qualifications, and relevant maintenance responsibilities.
• Include copies or details of your Matric certificate, N3 qualification, and recognised Millwright Trade Test certificate.
• Highlight your experience in industrial electrical and mechanical maintenance, preventative maintenance, breakdown troubleshooting, and manufacturing plant operations.
• Provide accurate contact details and ensure that all information submitted is correct and up to date.
• Submit your application through the official ADM careers portal or the application channel specified in the original vacancy advertisement.

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