Our client, a leading organization in the agricultural industry, is seeking an experienced Head of Engineering to oversee and manage all engineering activities across their farms, factories, and packhouses in South Africa and Mozambique. The ideal candidate must come from a food manufacturing background and have a solid understanding of the requirements for maintaining food processing facilities, including machinery, production lines, and packaging systems.

This critical role is central to ensuring efficient operations, strategic maintenance planning, and seamless collaboration with senior stakeholders. If you are a seasoned engineering professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for agriculture, this could be the opportunity for you.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: BSc or BEng in Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering.
• Certification: GCC certification is advantageous; must fulfil 16.2 appointment requirements.
• Experience: At least 10 years of engineering management experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Skills: Expertise in commissioning, maintenance planning and execution, and optimizing CAPEX projects. Proven ability to manage costs and drive profitability.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence senior executives, and secure project approvals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operations Oversight: Direct all engineering functions across farms, factories, and packhouses to ensure efficient asset management and seamless operations.
• Strategic Alignment: Work closely with divisional heads, Directors, and the executive team to align engineering activities with business objectives.
• Maintenance & CAPEX: Develop and execute maintenance strategies, manage CAPEX projects, and oversee the impact of maintenance budgets on profitability.
• Compliance & Regulations: Fulfil 16.2 appointment responsibilities and oversee General Machinery Regulations (GMRs). Knowledge of environmental and water use regulations is an advantage.
• Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of four direct reports, building a strong engineering department.
• Feasibility & Valuations: Conduct feasibility studies and valuations for new farms, packhouses, or acquisitions to determine viability.
• Industry Representation: Represent the company in industry forums, contribute to standardizing engineering practices, and provide insights on design and maintenance improvements.

Additional Information:

• Travel: Frequent travel required to support operations and implement best practices.
• Focus Areas: Ensure optimal asset utilization, operational efficiency, and readiness to support the company's growth and expansion.

Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience