Maintenance Engineer (Vegetable Oil Extraction Plant) – Makueni at WTS Energy

We are seeking a proactive and technically skilled Maintenance Engineer to ensure the availability, reliability, and efficiency of all plant equipment, utilities, and building facilities at our Vegetable Oil Extraction Plant. The role will focus on driving preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, optimizing operational performance, and ensuring compliance with ISO, GMP, and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day maintenance operations for plant machinery, utilities, and building facilities to ensure optimum plant availability and reliability.
• Lead installation, commissioning, and maintenance activities in line with ISO and quality management standards.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to minimize breakdowns and extend equipment life.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance equipment efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize maintenance costs.
• Monitor key performance indicators (OEE, MTTR, MTBF, power consumption, water usage) and implement corrective actions to achieve set targets.
• Manage the main power distribution systems (high and low voltage), addressing electrical risks and ensuring compliance with statutory inspections.
• Coordinate maintenance of hydraulic, pneumatic, heating, and utility systems, including boilers, compressors, emergency generators, and water treatment plants.
• Champion energy management initiatives to reduce power consumption and improve electrical safety.
• Collaborate with production, logistics, and quality teams to support seamless plant operations and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain maintenance SOPs, documentation, and reports in line with GMP and audit requirements.
• Train, supervise, and motivate the maintenance team to deliver high-performance outcomes and foster a LEAN and Kaizen-driven maintenance culture.
• Ensure adherence to occupational health, safety, and environmental standards, proactively mitigating risks and hazards.
• Prepare and manage the maintenance budget, monitor costs, and recommend cost-saving measures.
• Utilize maintenance management software to track, plan, and optimize maintenance activities.
• Support commissioning, plant start-up, and shutdown activities as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Superintendent or Plant Manager.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, or Mechatronic Engineering from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 5 years of continuous experience in maintenance within a manufacturing environment, preferably oil extraction or refinery plants.
• Demonstrated expertise in installation, repair, and overhaul of oil extraction machinery and related equipment.
• Strong knowledge of ISO, QMS, GMP, and lean manufacturing principles (Kaizen, Six Sigma).
• Proficiency in handling utilities including boilers, compressors, power distribution systems, and process cooling/heating systems.
• Familiarity with maintenance KPIs such as OEE, MTTR, MTBF, and energy optimization metrics.
• Experience in using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and team development skills.
• Conversant with statutory equipment compliance and occupational health and safety standards.