Job Purpose
To coordinate and oversee all maintenance, facilities, and sanitation activities to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the plant and supporting infrastructure. The role is responsible for providing technical oversight and governance of internal and contracted maintenance resources, ensuring that maintenance and facilities services are executed to the required standards, while maintaining full compliance with GMP, food safety, and HSE requirements.

The incumbent acts as the company’s technical representative for maintenance and facilities matters, ensuring effective contractor performance, timely communication of issues and risks, accurate reporting, and continuous improvement of plant reliability and facility conditions. In addition to coordination and reporting responsibilities, the role requires sufficient mechanical and electrical competence to troubleshoot equipment issues, support repairs, and provide sound technical recommendations where specialist intervention is required.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Maintenance Planning & Work Control

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance activities based on operational priorities and equipment criticality.

• Ensure adherence to preventive maintenance schedules and timely completion of work orders.

• Coordinate planned shutdowns, major repairs, and maintenance interventions with production and contractors.

• Maintain visibility and control of maintenance backlog and drive timely closure of outstanding work.

• Support the implementation and maintenance of maintenance systems, planning processes, and reliability programs.

Breakdown Management & Technical Support

• Coordinate timely response to equipment failures to minimize downtime and restore operations.

• Perform preliminary troubleshooting and fault identification on mechanical and electrical systems.

• Provide hands-on support where practical and appropriate.

• Escalate complex failures and coordinate specialist support when required.

• Conduct or facilitate root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring equipment issues and implement corrective actions.

• Provide recommendations for equipment upgrades, repairs, and replacement requirements.

Facilities Management

• Coordinate the maintenance and upkeep of factory buildings, utilities, grounds, and supporting infrastructure.

• Ensure that lighting, compressed air systems, water systems, drainage, HVAC, steam generation, and other plant services remain reliable and fit for purpose.

• Monitor the condition of facilities and identify deficiencies requiring corrective action.

• Coordinate facility repairs, infrastructure maintenance, and improvement activities to maintain a safe, hygienic, and professional working environment.

• Support facility-related capital projects and infrastructure improvements.

Sanitation & Environmental Control

• Coordinate sanitation and housekeeping standards across the facility to ensure compliance with GMP and food safety requirements.

• Ensure effective cleaning and maintenance of non-production areas and common facilities.

• Monitor contractor and service provider compliance with sanitation requirements.

• Identify and address conditions that may compromise hygiene, food safety, or environmental standards.

• Support pest control, waste management, and facility hygiene programs.

Contractor Management & Service Provider Oversight

• Serve as the primary company representative for maintenance and facilities contractors.

• Coordinate contractor activities to ensure work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards.

• Monitor contractor performance against agreed service levels, schedules, and quality expectations.

• Verify that completed work meets technical and operational requirements.

• Challenge and provide technical input to contractor recommendations where necessary.

• Foster effective working relationships with contractors while maintaining accountability and performance expectations.

• Escalate contractor performance issues and recommend corrective actions when required.

• Ensure contractors comply with GMP, Food Safety, HSE, permit-to-work, and LOTO requirements.

Maintenance Systems & Documentation Control

• Ensure maintenance activities are executed through formal work order processes.

• Maintain accurate records of breakdowns, repairs, maintenance history, downtime, and resource utilization.

• Ensure traceability and completeness of maintenance documentation.

• Support the development and continuous improvement of maintenance procedures and records.

Spare Parts, Procurement & Resource Coordination

• Coordinate the availability and utilization of spare parts, tools, and maintenance resources. 

• Identify critical spare requirements and work with relevant departments to maintain adequate inventory levels. 

• Monitor usage trends and provide recommendations to improve spare parts management. 

• Support planning and budgeting for maintenance resources and materials. 

• Raise and track purchase requisitions for maintenance materials, spare parts, and services. 

• Coordinate with Procurement to ensure timely sourcing and delivery of maintenance requirements. 

• Obtain and review quotations for maintenance-related goods and services where required. 

• Provide technical input into vendor selection and contractor evaluation processes. 

GMP, Food Safety & HSE Compliance

• Ensure maintenance and facilities activities comply with GMP, food safety, and HSE standards.

• Enforce permit-to-work systems, line clearance requirements, LOTO procedures, and hazard controls.

• Ensure work activities do not compromise product quality or hygienic conditions.

• Identify, address, and escalate unsafe conditions and non-compliance.

• Participate in GMP, Food Safety, HSE, and regulatory audits and ensure timely closure of maintenance-related corrective actions.

Performance Monitoring, Reporting & Communication

• Monitor key maintenance and facilities performance indicators, including:

- Equipment downtime.

- PM compliance.

- Response times.

- Work order closure.

- Maintenance backlog.

- Contractor performance.

Utilities and facilities reliability.

• Analyze maintenance and facilities performance trends and identify emerging risks requiring corrective action.

• Prepare and communicate routine maintenance and facilities reports to management.

• Keep management informed of significant breakdowns, risks, contractor issues, and project progress.

• Provide technical updates and recommendations to support management decision-making.

• Develop and maintain maintenance and facilities dashboards and performance metrics.

Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Support the planning and execution of maintenance related and facility improvement projects.

• Participate in equipment upgrades, process improvements, and reliability initiatives.

• Provide technical input for equipment selection, modification, and replacement decisions.

• Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability, reduce downtime, and enhance facility conditions.

• Support cost control and effective utilization of maintenance resources.

Operational Support & Flexibility

• Provide support during emergency situations and plant critical events.

• Coordinate urgent maintenance activities outside normal working hours when required.

• Maintain close collaboration with production, quality, engineering, and external service providers.

• Perform any other related duties consistent with the role and operational requirements.

Qualifications & Experience required

• Degree, Diploma, or equivalent technical qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in a maintenance, facilities, or industrial environment, with demonstrated exposure to equipment maintenance and operational support.

• At least 2–3 years' experience in a supervisory or leadership role within a manufacturing or industrial setting.

• Proven experience coordinating preventive maintenance, breakdown response, facilities maintenance, contractor management, and resource allocation.

• Experience in food manufacturing or regulated environments (GMP/HACCP) would be an asset.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, noise, dust, and active production areas.

• Ability to move across plant areas regularly, including standing, walking, climbing, and accessing equipment in operational environments. 

• Ability to attend to breakdowns and operational issues promptly, which may require extended or irregular working hours.

• Ability to operate within both office and plant environments, balancing administrative responsibilities with on-floor supervision.