East London: GREENHOUSE FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE MANAGER

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Greenhouse Facilities & Equipment Maintenance Manager to join our team in East London, South Africa. As a key member of our operations team, you will be responsible for ensuring the optimal maintenance and upkeep of our greenhouse facilities, climate control systems, irrigation and fertigation systems, and mechanical equipment. If you have a strong background in engineering, agriculture, or related fields, with experience in greenhouses, protected agriculture, hydroponics, or intensive farming, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance of all greenhouse structures, including frames, cladding, vents, screening systems, and shading mechanisms to withstand Eastern Cape winds and UV exposure.
• Manage maintenance and repairs of climate control systems: ventilation, shading nets, and automated environmental controllers/computers.
• Maintain irrigation and fertigation systems: drip lines (e.g., pressure-compensated non-leakage drippers), pumps, filters, valves, nutrients; dosing/mixing units, water storage tanks, and recirculation systems when upgraded.
• Service and repair mechanical and electrical equipment: dosing equipment, lighting, boom irrigators, and automation sensors (temperature, humidity, EC/pH).
• Coordinate maintenance of support infrastructure: drainage systems, pathways, packing/processing areas, water treatment (filtration, UV/ozone when implemented), backup generators/power systems.
• Develop and implement long-term maintenance plans, schedules, and budgets; track spare parts inventory and order supplies to minimize downtime.
• Supervise and train a team of maintenance technicians, general workers, or contractors; assign tasks, ensure safety compliance (e.g., working at heights, electrical safety, PPE), and conduct performance monitoring.

Requirements

• Diploma or degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, agricultural engineering, horticulture technology, or related field (or equivalent vocational training/certification).
• 5 years of hands-on maintenance experience, preferably in greenhouses, protected agriculture, hydroponics, or intensive farming (tomato/vegetable experience highly advantageous).
• Proven knowledge of greenhouse climate control drip irrigation/fertigation systems, and automated controls (familiarity with brands common in SA like Netafim, Richel, or similar).
• Strong understanding of electrical, plumbing, welding/fabrication, and basic HVAC principles.
• Experience with preventive maintenance software or record-keeping systems.
• Valid driver’s license; forklift or similar certification advantageous.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, agricultural engineering, horticulture technology, or related field (or equivalent vocational training/certification).

Salary & Benefits

• [Salary range]