Millwrigh Automotive Plastic Component Manufacturing

SUMMARY:
Millwrigh

Automotive Plastic Component Manufacturing
Location: Prospecton, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Department: Engineering and Maintenance
Reports to: Engineering Manager.
Workplace: On-site manufacturing plant
Start date: Immediate availability preferred

Position Overview
An established manufacturer of automotive interior and exterior plastic components is seeking a qualified Millwright for its Durban plant. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the successful applicant will maintain and repair production machinery and associated plant equipment to support safe operation, consistent product quality and reliable production.
The role requires strong electrical and mechanical fault-finding skills, practical maintenance experience and the ability to respond effectively to breakdowns in a demanding manufacturing environment. Preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants who are currently unemployed and available to start immediately.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Requirements

• Recognised Millwright Trade Test Certificate, such as a Red Seal or recognised equivalent.
• At least three years of relevant hands-on industrial maintenance experience.
• Proven competence in both electrical and mechanical maintenance of production machinery.
• Practical fault-finding experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, motors, pumps, gearboxes, bearings and machine control circuits.
• Ability to interpret electrical diagrams, mechanical drawings and hydraulic and pneumatic schematics.
• Working knowledge of PLC and HMI diagnostics, sensors, motor drives and machine safety interlocks.
• Ability to use appropriate testing equipment safely and complete accurate maintenance records.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail and clear communication with production and maintenance teams.
• Ability to work on site in Prospecton and support agreed shutdown, overtime and standby arrangements where required.

• Direct maintenance experience in automotive plastic injection moulding is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to blow moulding, vacuum forming, plastic-part painting or component assembly equipment.
• Maintenance of plastic-processing auxiliaries, including material handling, cooling and temperature-control equipment.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 quality systems, ISO 14001 environmental procedures and a Just-in-Time or Just-in-Sequence production environment.

• Carry out preventive inspections, servicing and corrective repairs on moulding machinery and related production equipment.
• Diagnose breakdowns, restore equipment safely and keep the Plant Manager informed of production risks, repair progress and expected recovery times.
• Investigate recurring failures, implement corrective actions and coordinate planned maintenance with production schedules.

• Fault-find and maintain motors, starters, contactors, overloads, variable-speed drives, sensors, relays and machine wiring.
• Use PLC input and output status, HMI alarms and electrical drawings to trace control faults; make programme or parameter changes only within authorised limits.
• Diagnose faults involving heating elements, thermocouples, temperature controllers, emergency stops and safety interlocks.

• Maintain and repair pumps, gearboxes, bearings, couplings, drives and conveyors; complete alignment, lubrication and component replacement as required.
• Diagnose hydraulic and pneumatic faults, including leaks and pressure or flow problems affecting valves, cylinders, hoses and machine movement.

• Maintain the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems supporting injection, clamping and ejection functions on injection moulding machines.
• Support material feeding and drying, mould-temperature control, cooling, compressed-air and vacuum systems where installed and within the assigned maintenance scope.
• Work with setters, process technicians and toolmakers to identify machine, tooling and process-related faults and restore stable operation.
• Assist with maintenance of blow moulding, vacuum forming, paint and assembly equipment as assigned; escalate specialist repairs when required.

• Follow approved isolation, lockout, stored-energy control, permit-to-work and personal protective equipment procedures.
• Inspect and test machine guards, emergency stops and interlocks; report unsafe equipment promptly and follow the plant’s isolation procedures.
• Coordinate equipment handover with Production and Quality so safety, machine operation and required product checks are completed before production release.
• Maintain good housekeeping and follow procedures for oils, lubricants, waste handling and spill prevention.

• Complete job cards and record faults, causes, repairs, parts used and downtime in the maintenance system.
• Identify critical spare parts and advise the Plant Manager of replacement needs, recurring defects and reliability improvements.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning and approved modifications, and guide operators on routine equipment checks.

• Safe completion of maintenance work.
• Reliable equipment availability and reduced repeat breakdowns.
• Completion of planned maintenance.
• Accurate maintenance records.
• Effective support for production quality and delivery requirements.