Engineering Manager at TAU Mining (Pty) Ltd.

Job Purpose:

To manage all Engineering staff, Engineering activities, and facilities within the Earthmoving Equipment department on site. Ensure that all equipment is properly logged and accounted for on the asset management system and that maintenance and repairs of Earthmoving Equipment are well planned, timeously executed in accordance with set standards, applicable procedures, best practices, and within the approved budget. Maximize equipment availability and ultimately ensure that site production targets are met, whilst adhering to all Engineering and other related SOPs and the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act.

Key Performance Areas:

Asset Management:

• Ensure that the entire fleet of equipment is properly recorded/accounted for on the Asset Management System/Asset Register.
• Ensure that the Asset management register and maintenance systems are kept up to date with a high level of data integrity.
• Ensure that all services, maintenance, and repairs are properly scheduled, timeously executed, and accurately recorded.

Fleet Reliability and Performance:

• Monitor equipment reliability trends per equipment type, to ensure that 85% fleet availability is maintained.
• Monitor equipment MTBF and MTTR tempos/ratios to ensure that these are within industry norm and at acceptable standards.
• Develop and implement strategies to address and/or optimize/improve equipment performance where required.
• Develop and implement equipment lifecycle.

Services & Repairs:

• Ensure that all Engineering activities are pre-planned, scheduled, properly & timeously executed, and conducted as per OEM guidelines and intervals for each machine type and model.
• Study and keep abreast of OEM manuals and specifications to ensure that all work is performed correctly.
• Advise Superintendents and Artisans on diagnostics and troubleshooting to identify problems and resolve engineering malfunctions on equipment.
• Monitor communication groups to ensure that Artisans attend to all breakdowns or equipment malfunctions/failures reported with urgency and continuously update Production Managers on repair progress and expected work completion timelines.
• Implement measures to ensure that Engineering Superintendents conduct frequent over-inspections of work done by artisans and assistants to ensure that work is executed to high standards.
• Implement measures to ensure that no equipment leaves the workshop or repair area in a poor state and that lubricants are re-filled to appropriate levels before re-starting of equipment. (Implement a high level of control and caution to avoid “dry starts” at all times)

Stakeholder Liaison & Legal Duties and Obligations:

• Perform applicable legal duties as Appointee in terms of Mine Health and Safety Act.
• Ensure that all subordinates are authorized to work in writing by the applicable Engineer.
• Ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe and responsible manner and promote a safe work culture.
• Ensure compliance with all client/company SOPs, Policies, procedures, provisions, and stipulations of the MHSA.
• Represent Company during Investigations (internal or external).
• Implementation of Root Cause Analysis.
• Attend scheduled meetings with Client representatives. Maintain good relations and a professional, positive image of the Company at all times.

Administration & Housekeeping:

• Ensure that all designated areas of work are neat and well-kept.
• Implement and ensure that tool and equipment issue/control registers are properly administered to exercise proper control of all assets, including tools, equipment, and LDVs, allocated to each engineering section and overall project.
• Ensure that all Engineering Superintendents, artisans, and employees within the section adhere to stores and procurement procedures when spares or other stock are required.
• Ensure that all work performed by subordinates is duly captured and accounted for on job cards, signed off and submitted to the maintenance administration department.

Budgeting, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement:

• Develop Engineering Dept budget proposals and ensure that approved budgets are implemented and adhered to. Ensure that subordinates behave in a cost-conscious manner at all times.
• Investigate premature component failures in conjunction with the Engineering Superintendents and/or external representatives. Conduct root cause analysis.
• Compile and present a monthly report for the Engineering Department.
• Develop, propose, and implement cost-saving initiatives.

Engineering HR Function: (To be performed in conjunction with the HR Dept)

• Act as mentor for Engineering Dept. on site. Identify and propose training interventions and programs to the Project Manager to ensure that Superintendents, Artisans, and Assistants are developed in terms of set IDPs.
• Develop and implement a succession plan for the Dept.
• Manage discipline & initiate disciplinary action.
• Manage time & attendance, sick leave, and leave rosters for Dept. Ensure that overtime is planned, properly managed, and pre-approved as per overtime procedure.
• Monitor time spent by subordinates on the mine and ensure compliance with legal attendance parameters.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Qualified Mechanical Engineer (N. Dip or Degree) with at least 8-10 years related post-graduation experience, of which 3-5 years must be experience gained in a managerial level position.
• Government Certificate of Competence (Mines & Works)
• Valid driver’s license and clean criminal record.

Knowledge, Attitude, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent knowledge of heavy earthmoving equipment fleet maintenance, repairs, and diagnostics within an open cast mining environment.
• High level of energy and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Job ownership and accountability.
• Ability to schedule and prioritize work, multi-tasking ability.
• Excellent people (Managerial) and administration skills (including computer skills; MS Office, Pragma/Asset management system).
• Excellent knowledge of MHSA & applicable Labour legislation (BCEA, LRA).
• Strong Financial/numerical acumen & presentation skills.
• Sober habits and professional.
• Willing to work extended hours.