Mechanical Technician

Unilever is currently hiring for Mechanical Technician

Function: Supply Chain, Engineering
Reports to: Operations Unit Manager
Scope: South Africa
Location: Boksburg, South Africa
Terms & Conditions: Full Time

ABOUT UNILEVER
Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. You will work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues who provide mentorship and inspiration so that you can become a better you.

JOB PURPOSE
Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. The Mechanical Technician is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mechanical assets within a high-volume washing powder manufacturing plant. The role involves maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and continuous improvement of heavy mechanical systems such as conveyor belts, large horsepower pumps, small pumps, pneumatics, and dust extraction systems.
This role is critical in supporting Unilever’s goal of achieving world-class manufacturing standards, minimizing downtime, and driving continuous improvement in line with safety, quality, cost, and sustainability objectives. If this resonates with you, then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE
1. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
• Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM), corrective, and predictive maintenance on mechanical assets (conveyors, pumps, pneumatics, dust extraction systems, gearboxes, couplings, seals, and rotating equipment).
• Diagnose root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Respond promptly to breakdowns, ensuring minimal production disruption.
• Ensure effective lubrication, alignment, balancing, and calibration of mechanical systems.

2. Installation & Commissioning
• Install, commission, and upgrade mechanical equipment and systems to support plant expansion or optimization projects.
• Participate in start-up activities, ensuring equipment is set up according to specifications.

3. Reliability & Continuous Improvement
• Contribute to reliability engineering initiatives such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), RCA (Root Cause Analysis), and FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis).
• Suggest and implement cost-saving or efficiency-enhancing mechanical improvements.
• Support digitization and automation upgrades in line with Industry 4.0 and Unilever’s smart factory vision.

4. Compliance & Safety
• Work strictly within Unilever’s safety and health guidelines (OSH Act, Factory Regulations, and ISO standards).
• Conduct risk assessments and comply with Lockout-Tagout-Try Out (LOTOTO), permit-to-work, and other safety protocols.
• Ensure dust extraction and pneumatic systems meet environmental and occupational health requirements.

5. Documentation & Reporting
• Maintain accurate maintenance records in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
• Document mechanical inspections, repairs, and parts usage.
• Provide technical feedback to supervisors and support preparation of weekly/monthly engineering reports.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED
Experiences & Qualifications
• National Diploma (NQF 6) in Mechanical Engineering or Trade Test Certification as a Mechanical Fitter/Millwright (Red Seal).
• Additional training in pneumatics, hydraulics, or pumps will be advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years’ hands-on experience in a heavy manufacturing/processing environment (preferably FMCG, detergent, chemical, cement, or mining).
• Strong knowledge of conveyor systems, pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement, high HP), and pneumatics.
• Experience with dust extraction and air-handling systems.
• Proven track record in mechanical fault-finding and root cause analysis.
• Exposure to TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) or WCM (World Class Manufacturing) preferred.

Skills
• Strong mechanical aptitude with ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics.
• Knowledge of lubrication systems, alignment techniques, and vibration analysis.
• Familiarity with CMMS e.g. BuildApp.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and hands-on technical approach.
• Ability to work shifts and be available for standby/after-hours support.
• Team player with strong communication skills to work across operations, engineering, and SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) teams.

Leadership
You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

Unilever Behaviors

• Care deeply: caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don’t win. Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.

• Focus on what counts: we set clear and stretching goals and recognize maximum performance impact. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.

• Stay three steps ahead: we think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.

• Deliver with excellence: we deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

This is a factory - based role in Johannesburg (Boksburg Factory) and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.