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Assistant Engineer

Job ID:
R-70141
Category:
Supply Chain
Location:
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Date posted:
04/09/2025
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Function: Supply Chain

Work Level:  WL 1T4

Reports to: Site Engineering Manager

Scope: local

Location: Maydon Wharf

Terms & Conditions: full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

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.  If you are To ensure that engineering services are provided to facilitate efficient plant functioning and to achieve factory performance targets  then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

  • SHE: Interprets relevant laws to ensure that standards and laws are implemented and adhered to
  • Investigates accidents and incidents and draws up reports
  • Budget: Accountable for cost estimations and budget proposals
  • Responsible for the control and execution of work against a budget and authorizations within authority limits
  • Is responsible for ensuring capitalization of the whole project (mechanical, electrical etc.)
  • Specifies scope of work and ensures projects remain within budget
  • Obtains quotes for projects and raises the budget to deliver agreed maintenance/continuous improvement
  • Raises MMI project (miscellaneous minor items)
  • Manages capital budgets by designing, implementing and commissioning the project and allocating budget and resource accordingly
  • Projects: Responsible for the design, implementation, commissioning and hand over of projects within own area of responsibility, with emphasis on the implementation of respective engineering discipline
  • Is responsible for the writing up and training of SOP’s
  • Provides respective discipline input in multi-disciplinary projects (mechanical/ civil/ electrical).
  • Draws up buying contracts, technical specifications and outlines scope of work
  • Factory Support: Identifies recurring production process problems and develops trouble shooting routines for the Production Department
  • Proposes operating instructions for plant operators (manuals & SOP’s) and trains the departmental trainers and operators in the use of modified plant processes
  • Conducts Process Optimization by identifying areas of improvement and recommend change in processes (e.g. waste minimization, energy utilization, etc.)
  • Implements cost effectiveness programmes
  • Continuous Improvement: Makes recommendations and actions improvements within specific area of responsibility
  • Designs out recurring engineering problems to prevent breakdown into the future
  • Investigates, analyses and actions solutions to relevant problems identified

Responsible for the development and implementation of maintenance procedures and standards by sourcing and evaluating materials

Experiences & Qualifications

  • Engineering ( Mechanical/ Electrical) Degree: BTech (GMr)/ BSc (Eng)/BEng
  • Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) factories or studying towards would be advantageous
  • 5 years engineering experience in FMCG, / Manufacturing. Dairy Industry would be an advantage
  • Knowledge of Maintenance Strategies and World Class Manufacturing principles
  • Understanding of OSH Act and Project Management skills
  • Knowledge of Excel, MS Projects, Project Schedule, SAP (Plant Maintenance and Purchasing), e-mail and spreadsheets
  • Problem Solving and drive continuous improvement

Skills

  • Analytical Problem solving
  • Stakeholders management
  • Conflict management
  • Agile decision making

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.

  • Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
    • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
    • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
    • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
    • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
    • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicates from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

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.

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