Electrician

SUMMARY:
Position Overview
The Qualified Electrician will be responsible for the maintenance, fault-finding, repair, installation and preventative maintenance of electrical systems and production equipment within a busy abattoir environment. The role requires strong industrial electrical experience and the ability to work safely around wet, high-pressure production areas.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Electrical Maintenance

• Conduct preventative and reactive electrical maintenance across the abattoir.
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults on production machinery and plant.
• Maintain single-phase and three-phase electrical systems.
• Inspect and maintain distribution boards, motors, switches, breakers, contactors and control panels.
• Carry out electrical installations, modifications and upgrades.
• Perform electrical testing and fault-finding using appropriate test equipment.
• Assist with commissioning of new electrical equipment and machinery.
• Maintain electrical systems supporting refrigeration, pumps, conveyors, processing equipment and utilities.
• Respond quickly to production breakdowns to minimise downtime.

• Maintain electrical components on slaughtering, processing, conveyor and packaging equipment.
• Troubleshoot motor-control circuits, sensors, relays, contactors and variable-speed drives.
• Assist with PLC-related fault finding and basic automation systems where required.
• Work closely with mechanical maintenance staff on integrated electrical/mechanical breakdowns.
• Participate in planned maintenance shutdowns.

• Ensure all electrical work is performed in accordance with applicable electrical regulations and company safety procedures.
• Apply Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures before working on equipment.
• Conduct inspections and identify electrical safety risks.
• Maintain accurate records of electrical maintenance and repairs.
• Ensure electrical installations and equipment are safe and properly maintained.
• Where the position includes installation work requiring certification, the appropriate registered/authorised person must perform or oversee the work in line with the Electrical Installation Regulations.

• Maintain electrical tools, equipment and spares.
• Keep accurate maintenance records.
• Assist with stock control of electrical components and consumables.
• Work overtime, weekends, public holidays or standby shifts when required.
• Liaise with external contractors and service providers when specialist work is required.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects aimed at reducing electrical breakdowns and production downtime.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified Electrician / Electrical Trade Test Certificate – Red Seal or equivalent.
• Minimum 3–5 years' post-trade experience, preferably in an industrial/manufacturing or food-processing environment.
• Strong industrial electrical maintenance experience.
• Experience with three-phase electrical systems.
• Experience with motors, control panels, contactors, relays and electrical protection systems.
• Experience with fault-finding and preventative maintenance.
• Experience with PLCs, VSDs and automated machinery would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of electrical safety regulations and maintenance procedures.
• Wireman's Licence / Installation Electrician registration would be a strong advantage, particularly where the role involves electrical installation, testing and certification.
• Knowledge of SANS 10142-1 and applicable electrical regulations would be advantageous.
• Matric/Grade 12 or equivalent.
• Valid driver's licence would be advantageous.

• Abattoir or meat-processing equipment
• Conveyors
• Motors and pumps
• Refrigeration and cold-room systems
• Processing and packaging machinery
• Water and wastewater systems
• Boiler/steam systems
• Automated production lines
• Wash-down environments
• Food-processing hygiene requirements