To supervise and coordinate the activities of the mechanical maintenance team, ensuring that all plant machinery, equipment, and production facilities are maintained in a safe, reliable, and efficient operating condition. The Fitter Foreman is responsible for planning preventative maintenance, overseeing breakdown repairs, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, and achieving maintenance performance targets to minimise production downtime.
Key Responsibilities
Supervision and Leadership
- Supervise, lead, and coordinate the daily activities of fitters, apprentices, and maintenance assistants.
- Allocate work according to priorities and available resources.
- Monitor employee performance and provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
- Conduct toolbox talks and promote a strong safety culture.
- Manage attendance, leave, overtime, and disciplinary matters where required.
Mechanical Maintenance
- Plan and oversee preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
- Ensure timely repair of mechanical breakdowns to minimise production interruptions.
- Inspect, diagnose, and troubleshoot faults on mechanical equipment.
- Monitor equipment performance and recommend improvements to increase reliability.
- Ensure maintenance work complies with engineering standards and manufacturer specifications.
Plant Equipment
Maintain and oversee repairs on equipment including:
- Rolling mills
- Conveyors
- Hydraulic systems
- Pneumatic systems
- Gearboxes
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Industrial fans
- Bearings
- Couplings
- Motors and drives
- Cranes and lifting equipment
- Steel processing machinery
- Material handling equipment
Maintenance Planning
- Develop preventative maintenance schedules.
- Coordinate planned shutdowns and major maintenance projects.
- Ensure work orders are completed accurately and on time.
- Monitor maintenance backlog and prioritise critical work.
- Ensure spare parts are available before planned maintenance activities.
Health, Safety and Environmental Compliance
- Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and company safety procedures.
- Conduct risk assessments before maintenance work.
- Ensure Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures are followed.
- Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure employees use the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Quality and Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve plant reliability and maintenance efficiency.
- Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations.
- Implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Support Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
- Recommend equipment upgrades and process improvements.
Administration and Reporting
- Complete maintenance reports and daily activity logs.
- Maintain equipment service records.
- Monitor maintenance costs and overtime.
- Prepare reports on equipment downtime and maintenance performance.
- Manage spare parts inventory and liaise with stores for stock replenishment.
Minimum Qualifications
- Trade Test Certificate as a Fitter.
- National N Diploma or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering (advantageous).
- Supervisory or Management qualification (advantageous).
- Valid driver's licence (preferred).
Experience
- Minimum 5–8 years' post-trade experience in manufacturing, construction and mining.
- At least 2–3 years' supervisory experience leading maintenance teams.
- Experience with preventative maintenance systems.
- Experience working with heavy industrial machinery and production equipment.
Knowledge
- Mechanical fitting principles.
- Hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
- Preventative and predictive maintenance.
- Root Cause Analysis.
- Maintenance planning systems.
- Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
- Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures.
- Engineering drawings and technical manuals.
- Welding and fabrication principles (advantageous).
Work Location: In person
