Maintenance Fitter (Food Factory)

Planned maintenance and breakdown work on shift at the packaging manufacturer in Pietermaritzburg. It suits someone who likes knowing exactly what a good day's work looks like.

Home base is a packaging manufacturer on the Pietermaritzburg side of KwaZulu-Natal.

• Maintain hydraulic and pneumatic systems on production lines
• Follow the lockout procedure before any work on machinery
• Align shafts with a laser alignment tool after every drive change
• Respond to breakdowns and get the line running again safely
• Replace bearings, seals and couplings on pumps, gearboxes and motors
• Record work and spares used on the job card or CMMS

• Basic understanding of the General Machinery Regulations
• Trade test as Fitter and Turner, Fitter, Millwright or Toolmaker
• You read engineering drawings and measure with micrometers and verniers
• N2 or N3 engineering subjects
• Own basic hand tools, or willing to build up a set

• Millwright trade test, since it covers both mechanical and electrical
• Food safety awareness for food and drink plants

• Shift and standby allowances
• Paid overtime on shutdowns
• Chance to study further toward a technician diploma
• Tool allowance

• Write your trade and trade test year first, then the machines you know, like "Filling lines, pumps, gearboxes".
• Expect a practical test. Measure twice and work cleanly, because the assessor watches your habits as much as the result.