Maintenance and Project Planner – Cape Town, Western Cape

Hire Resolve is recruiting a skilled and detail-oriented Maintenance and Project Planner for a well-established manufacturing company operating in the FMCG sector based in Cape Town. This is a permanent position within a fast-paced production environment where efficiency, precision, and strong planning capabilities are critical to operational success.

The role sits within the Supply Chain and Manufacturing division and is ideal for candidates who have strong experience in maintenance planning, project coordination, and industrial engineering environments. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that production equipment and maintenance activities are properly planned, scheduled, and executed to minimise downtime and improve overall plant performance.

Job Overview

• Position: Maintenance and Project Planner
• Recruitment Agency: Hire Resolve
• Location: Cape Town
• Industry: Manufacturing (FMCG sector)
• Functional Area: Project Management / Maintenance Planning
• Division: Supply Chain & Manufacturing
• Experience Level: Mid-Senior
• Salary: R350 000 – R550 000 per annum
• Employment Type: Permanent

This role requires a professional who can operate in a high-pressure manufacturing environment where production uptime, equipment reliability, and efficient maintenance execution are critical business priorities.

About the Company and Industry Context

Hire Resolve is a recruitment specialist that connects skilled professionals with leading companies across various industries, including manufacturing, engineering, finance, and supply chain operations.

The role is placed within a fast-moving FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) manufacturing environment. FMCG manufacturing refers to the production of high-demand consumer goods such as food products, beverages, household items, and packaged goods that require continuous production cycles and efficient supply chain coordination.

In such environments, equipment downtime directly impacts production output, making maintenance planning and project coordination essential functions within engineering and operations teams.

Purpose of the Role

The primary purpose of the Maintenance and Project Planner role is to ensure that all maintenance activities and engineering projects are properly planned, scheduled, and executed in a way that supports production efficiency and equipment reliability.

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating preventative maintenance schedules, managing maintenance resources, tracking project timelines, and ensuring compliance with maintenance standards and operational requirements.

The role requires a highly organised individual who can balance multiple priorities, manage technical schedules, and communicate effectively with engineering, production, and management teams.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Planning and Scheduling

A core responsibility of the role is developing and managing maintenance schedules to ensure optimal equipment performance.

This includes:

• Planning preventative maintenance activities
• Scheduling routine equipment inspections
• Coordinating maintenance shutdowns
• Ensuring minimal disruption to production processes
• Aligning maintenance schedules with operational requirements

Preventative maintenance is a proactive maintenance strategy designed to reduce equipment failures by servicing machinery at regular intervals rather than waiting for breakdowns to occur.

Project Coordination and Management

The Maintenance and Project Planner will also assist with managing engineering and maintenance-related projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating project timelines
• Tracking project progress
• Liaising with contractors and internal teams
• Ensuring project milestones are achieved
• Supporting equipment upgrades and installations

Project coordination in a manufacturing environment requires strong planning ability and attention to detail to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Use of Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

The role requires experience working with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

These systems are used to:

• Track maintenance activities
• Schedule work orders
• Monitor equipment performance
• Record maintenance history
• Generate maintenance reports

The successful candidate must be able to use CMMS tools effectively to improve maintenance planning accuracy and operational efficiency.

Preventative Maintenance Strategy

A strong understanding of preventative maintenance principles is essential for this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing maintenance schedules based on equipment needs
• Reducing unplanned breakdowns
• Improving machine reliability
• Extending equipment lifespan
• Supporting continuous production operations

Preventative maintenance is critical in FMCG environments where production lines must run efficiently to meet high consumer demand.

Reporting and Documentation

The Maintenance and Project Planner will be responsible for maintaining accurate maintenance and project records.

This includes:

• Preparing maintenance reports
• Documenting project progress
• Tracking equipment performance data
• Reporting maintenance costs and downtime
• Maintaining compliance documentation

Accurate reporting supports decision-making and helps management identify areas for operational improvement.

Collaboration with Engineering and Production Teams

The role requires close collaboration with various departments including engineering, production, and procurement teams.

This includes:

• Coordinating maintenance activities with production schedules
• Communicating equipment downtime plans
• Working with engineers to resolve technical issues
• Supporting production efficiency initiatives

Strong communication and teamwork are essential to ensure that maintenance activities do not negatively impact production output.

Resource and Materials Coordination

The Maintenance and Project Planner will assist in ensuring that required maintenance resources, tools, and spare parts are available when needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring spare parts availability
• Coordinating procurement requests
• Ensuring maintenance teams are properly resourced
• Reducing delays caused by material shortages

Effective resource planning helps prevent downtime and ensures maintenance tasks are completed efficiently.

Time Management and Prioritisation

The role requires the ability to manage multiple maintenance schedules and project deadlines simultaneously.

This includes:

• Prioritising urgent maintenance tasks
• Managing competing production demands
• Ensuring deadlines are met
• Coordinating emergency maintenance responses

Strong time management is essential in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where unexpected breakdowns may occur.

Compliance and Safety Standards

The Maintenance and Project Planner must ensure that all maintenance activities comply with safety and operational standards.

This includes:

• Adhering to health and safety regulations
• Ensuring safe maintenance procedures
• Supporting risk management processes
• Maintaining compliance with company policies

Manufacturing environments are heavily regulated, and safety compliance is a critical requirement in all maintenance operations.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

Technical Qualification

• Relevant qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field

A strong technical background is essential for understanding machinery, equipment systems, and maintenance processes.

Experience Requirements

• 3–5 years’ experience in maintenance planning or project coordination
• Experience within manufacturing or FMCG environments
• Exposure to industrial maintenance systems and processes

Candidates with hands-on experience in production environments will be preferred.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have experience in:

• Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
• Maintenance scheduling tools
• Engineering documentation systems
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, reporting tools)

Strong reporting and data management skills are essential for this role.

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:

Organisational Skills

Ability to manage complex maintenance schedules and project timelines efficiently.

Attention to Detail

Ensuring accuracy in planning, reporting, and documentation.

Communication Skills

Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, production teams, and management.

Problem-Solving Ability

Ability to identify maintenance risks and develop practical solutions.

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Manufacturing environments require quick decision-making and adaptability.

Analytical Thinking

Ability to analyse maintenance data and improve operational performance.

Team Collaboration

Working effectively within cross-functional teams.

Working in the FMCG Manufacturing Sector

The FMCG manufacturing sector is one of the most demanding and fast-paced industries. It requires continuous production flow, minimal downtime, and highly efficient maintenance systems.

Professionals in this sector develop valuable experience in:

• Industrial maintenance systems
• Production optimisation
• Engineering coordination
• Supply chain integration
• Equipment reliability management

This makes the role highly valuable for long-term career growth in engineering and manufacturing operations.

Career Growth Opportunities

Candidates who perform well in this role may progress into positions such as:

• Senior Maintenance Planner
• Maintenance Manager
• Engineering Project Manager
• Operations Manager
• Reliability Engineer
• Plant Manager

With experience, professionals in this field can move into senior operational and leadership roles within manufacturing organisations.

Why This Opportunity May Be Suitable

This role may suit candidates who:

• Enjoy structured planning and coordination work
• Have strong technical and engineering knowledge
• Thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments
• Are detail-oriented and organised
• Want to build a career in industrial maintenance and project management
• Can handle pressure and multiple priorities

The position offers exposure to large-scale manufacturing operations and provides strong career development opportunities within the engineering and FMCG sectors.

Application Information

Interested candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply by sending their CV to manufacturing@hireresolve.za.com or visiting www.hireresolve.co.za.

Applicants should ensure their CV includes:

• Technical qualifications
• Maintenance planning experience
• CMMS system experience
• Project coordination background
• Relevant industry experience
• Contactable references

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.