Instrumentation Technician

Equipment Maintenance & Optimization

• Conduct Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) on plant equipment.
• Execute planned daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance as per Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) standards.
• Attend to unplanned machine and service interruptions.
• Review preventative maintenance schedules and amend where required.
• Complete Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for all breakdowns.
• Install, calibrate, operate, and troubleshoot instrumentation equipment and control systems.
• Program and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers (PLCs), variable speed drives (VSDs), flow meters, and level transmitters.
• Perform backups on control systems.
• Read, understand, and interpret schematics, programming, and technical specifications.
• Refer to manufacturer manuals for the repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment.

Line Productivity & Continuous Improvement

• Improve plant productivity and quality through maintenance intervention.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement projects to reduce line and batch losses.
• Assist in training, mentoring, and coaching production and engineering team members in your field of expertise to achieve optimum machine operation and performance.

Project Implementation

• Support the project team to install and commission new equipment.
• Perform upgrades to older equipment where required.
• Review technical in-house modifications, additions, major repairs, and electrical expertise.
• Liaise with independent contractors regarding instrumentation, control systems, repairs, and installations.

Maintenance Administration

• Complete and submit job cards for planned and unplanned work.
• Follow the authorised process for spares requisitions and update critical/non-critical spares lists.
• Ensure correct Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is used at all times.
• Ensure ISO and Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) standards are followed in all workshops and work areas.
• Adhere to change management procedures prior to any change in the plant and process.
• Action close-outs of all Non-conformance Reports (NCRs) related to Engineering.
• Assist in risk assessments for all departmental activities.

Experience and Qualifications

• Technical qualification in Instrumentation (Minimum NQF 6 - 7).
• Previous work experience within an FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) environment.
• Previous experience working on high-speed packaging machines (HMI driven).
• Experience in programming PLCs and VSDs.
• Practical knowledge of PLC and SCADA systems, as well as plant automation.
• Prior knowledge of ISO standards.
• Advantageous: AVEVA and Festo training.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent practical implementation of problem-solving techniques.
• Precise workmanship with excellent attention to detail.
• Intermediate level of computer literacy (MS Office).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and cope well under pressure.
• Good internal customer/supplier relations and an effective team player.
• Strong ability to train staff.
• Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times.