Description / Synopsis:

A leading mining operation in the Northern Cape is seeking a Maintenance Improvement Specialist to analyse maintenance performance, reduce breakdowns, and drive reliability improvements across the mine and process plant. This role focuses on data-driven optimisation, root cause analysis, proactive maintenance strategies, and continuous improvement. The position requires strong analytical ability, technical insight, and experience in opencast mining environments. This is a site-based role in Hotazel and requires relocation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Mechanical or Electrical Engineering qualification (NQF 6)

• Minimum 5 years experience in maintenance improvement within opencast mining and process plant

• Strong CMMS experience (SAP, Ellipse, SAGE, KARABO PM or similar)

• Project management certificate

• Supervisory certificate in engineering

• Artisan trade certificate advantageous

• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and reporting skills

• Valid driver’s licence (Code 08)

• Medically fit for a mining environment

Responsibilities:

• Analyse maintenance practices and optimise reactive, planned, and predictive maintenance

• Develop and implement maintenance improvement plans aligned with business goals

• Reduce breakdowns and unplanned downtime through systematic improvements

• Conduct RCFA/RCA on major and recurring failures

• Identify chronic equipment issues and reliability risks

• Improve MTBF, MTTR, availability, and equipment reliability

• Support and implement RCM principles

• Improve job plans, task lists, and maintenance standards

• Standardise maintenance procedures and work instructions

• Improve scheduling compliance and backlog management

• Identify maintenance cost drivers and reduce wastage

• Optimise spares usage and critical spares strategies

• Analyse CMMS data to identify improvement opportunities

• Track and report on maintenance KPIs

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and benchmark against best practice

• Support audits, compliance, and safety improvements

• Coach artisans, planners, and supervisors to adopt proactive maintenance behaviours

• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Commercial, OEMs, and suppliers

Soft Skills / Additional Info:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving ability

• Ability to influence and coach technical teams

• Strong planning, organising, and reporting capability

• Continuous improvement mindset