WORKSHOP MANAGER (Fitting & Turning Workshop)

SUMMARY:
Are you a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise in mechanical engineering, machining, and on-site maintenance? Do you thrive in a fast-paced workshop environment while effectively managing teams, jobs, and costs?

POSITION INFO:

We are looking for an experienced Workshop Manager to oversee both workshop and site-based operations. This is a leadership role that requires a balance of technical expertise, team management, document control, and job costing.

The Role:

As Workshop Manager, you will lead a workshop team and oversee multiple repair and machining jobs at any given time. You will also step in as Site Manager when required for troubleshooting, issue resolution, or project oversight at customer sites.

• Workshop & Machine Shop Management: Oversee machining and repair of components, ensuring efficiency and quality.
• On-Site Fitting & Maintenance: Lead teams in dismantling, troubleshooting, fault-finding, and diagnosing issues at customer sites.
• Leadership & Team Management: A Site Supervisor with multiple teams of up to 10 per site (Day & Night Shift). Plus 1 Artisan, 3 Workshop Assistants and a Storeman
• Job Costing & Financial Oversight: Manage job costings in Excel using pre-set formulas to control expenses and improve efficiency.
• Document Control & Reporting: Handle job planning, reporting, and paperwork to ensure smooth execution and compliance.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Enforce safety standards, permit-to-work procedures, and risk assessments on all jobs.
• Travel (Minimal): Mostly to Papermills along the coast and some inland – only when necessary due to job-related issues (which can be avoided with proper planning and communication).

Requirements

What We’re Looking For:

• Trade-qualified Fitter Machinist/Turner (N3 - N4 in Mechanical Engineering)
• Min. 5 years'' post-apprenticeship experience in a workshop or production environment
• Min. 3 years in a leadership role, managing a mechanical workshop or engineering team
• Experience managing multiple jobs simultaneously (4 – 8 at a time)
• Strong ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings
• Experience in machine shop operations (lathe, milling, grinding, drilling)
• Skilled in fault finding, diagnosing, and technical problem-solving
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Based in Richards Bay or willing to relocate

Why Apply?

• A leadership role with autonomy and variety
• Work with a skilled team in a high-performing engineering environment
• Opportunity to step into a senior technical leadership position
• Stable and well-established organisation with strong industry presence