South Africa: Maintenance Manager posted by Career Pathfinders

Maintenance Manager 5* Game Lodge – Liwonde National Park Malawi Skilled and proactive Maintenance Manager to lead all maintenance operations across the property. This position is responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and performance of the Maintenance Department, ensuring that all infrastructure, vehicles, boats, generators, equipment, and utilities are maintained to the highest standard. The Maintenance Manager plays a critical role in ensuring operational reliability, minimizing downtime, and safeguarding the guest experience. The successful candidate will drive a culture of preventive maintenance, efficient resource use, and pride in workmanship — directly contributing to the lodge’s reputation for excellence. Key Responsibilities: 1. Leadership & Department Management ● Lead and manage a maintenance team of approximately 40 staff, including the Assistant Maintenance Manager, Storeman, and Heads of Department (Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical). ● Provide clear guidance, set performance expectations, and foster accountability at every level. ● Conduct on-the-job training and promote skills upliftment, ensuring continuous improvement in technical standards and workmanship. ● Motivate the team, build strong morale, and maintain a professional and disciplined work culture. ● Instill a culture of quality control, ensuring all work is checked, verified, and meets lodge standards before sign-off. 2. Preventive Maintenance & Asset Care ● Oversee all mechanical and technical maintenance, ensuring vehicles (safari and non-safari), boats, generators, and equipment are serviced on schedule and in optimal condition. ● Maintain detailed service records for all assets and ensure adherence to preventive maintenance schedules. ● Implement systems that minimize reactive repairs, breakdowns, and operational disruptions. ● Monitor the correct use of tools, spare parts, and consumables, reinforcing accountability in the workshop. 3. Inventory & Stock Control ● Manage the central maintenance store and ensure adequate stock of critical spares, service parts, and fuel (diesel, petrol, paraffin). ● Maintain accurate logs for stock movement, fuel usage, and parts consumption. ● Draft all maintenance-related procurement requests and ensure cost-effective sourcing of materials. ● Conduct periodic stock audits to ensure transparency and control. 4. Fuel & Consumption Monitoring ● Track and report monthly on: ○ Vehicle fuel consumption ○ Generator fuel consumption ○ Overall site usage of diesel, petrol, and paraffin ● Identify and investigate discrepancies or unusual consumption patterns promptly. 5. Scheduling & Coordination ● Work closely with Lodge and Camp Management to plan and schedule maintenance tasks with minimal impact on guest activities. ● Ensure maintenance teams are prepared, punctual, and responsive within tight operational windows. ● Prioritize tasks effectively, balancing preventive work with urgent repairs. 6. Waste Management & Workshop Standards ● Oversee the lodge’s waste management system, ensuring responsible disposal and transport of non-incinerable waste off-site. ● Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient workshop environment at all times. ● Continuously improve back-of-house standards to reflect professionalism and pride in the maintenance function. 7. Procurement & Technical Support ● Support the procurement of maintenance equipment, tools, and materials in coordination with the General Manager. ● Actively assist in identifying and sourcing specialized items for mechanical, electrical, and construction needs. 8. Emergency Response & Guest Interaction ● Be available to respond to maintenance emergencies when on-site, including after hours. ● Participate in back-of-house guest tours when required, representing the lodge’s operational excellence. Key Qualities & Competencies ● Proactive leadership with a hands-on management style. ● Strong technical aptitude across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and waste management systems. ● Excellent organizational and reporting skills. ● Strong interpersonal and communication abilities. ● Commitment to preventive maintenance, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement. ● High standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Qualifications & Experience ● Technical trade qualification or background strongly preferred (Mechanical, Electrical, or related). ● Minimum 5 years’ practical maintenance management experience, ideally in a remote lodge, resort, or camp environment. ● Proven track record in team leadership, preventive maintenance planning, and stock control. ● Sound understanding of mechanical and electrical systems used in off-grid or hybrid power environments. Location Market related salary with accommodation and company benefits Flights: One annual round-trip airfare to Johannesburg ● Accommodation: Provided at the Game Lodge ● Meals: All meals provided ● Medical Cover: Scheme: Medical Aid Society of Malawi (MASM) Coverage: In-country and international Please Note – While all applications are valuable, we’ll reach out directly to candidates who best meet the client’s requirements.