Factory Electrician (Pietermaritzburg)

Key Accountabilities and Outputs: Electrical Safety and Compliance * Apply lockout, tagout, test-for-dead and permit-to-work requirements before starting electrical work. * Inspect the work area, identify hazards and use the prescribed personal protective equipment and test instruments. * Stop and report unsafe equipment, damaged protection devices, exposed conductors, bypassed interlocks and other immediate risks. * Maintain panel access, covers, labels, earthing, guarding and electrical housekeeping to the required standard. * Complete statutory and internal electrical inspections assigned to the role and record all defects and corrective actions. * Follow site emergency, fire prevention, environmental and incident-reporting procedures. Planned and Preventive Maintenance * Complete scheduled electrical maintenance on textile production machinery, motors, drives, control panels, conveyors, pumps, fans, compressors, heating systems, utility equipment and building services. * Inspect and test cables, terminations, contactors, overloads, isolators, protective devices, sensors, switches, solenoids, power supplies and control circuits. * Identify developing defects such as overheating, loose connections, insulation damage, nuisance tripping, abnormal current draw and deteriorating components. * Plan work with the Electrical Foreman and production teams so that maintenance is completed during agreed stoppages and shutdowns. * Record findings, parts used, labour time, follow-up work and equipment condition in the maintenance management system. Breakdown Response and Fault Finding * Respond promptly to electrical breakdowns and obtain clear information about the fault, operating conditions and production impact. * Use electrical drawings, test equipment, alarms, drive diagnostics and programmable logic controller input and output status to locate faults systematically. * Repair or replace defective components, complete functional and safety tests, and confirm that the equipment is safe before handover to production. * Escalate complex control, automation or instrumentation faults to the appropriate specialist and provide accurate diagnostic information. * Investigate recurring failures, identify the underlying cause and implement or recommend corrective action rather than relying on temporary repairs. * Communicate progress, expected restoration time, residual risk and follow-up work to the Electrical Foreman and affected production personnel. Electrical Installations and Improvements * Install and modify motors, isolators, distribution equipment, cable routes, control panels, lighting, field devices and associated wiring in accordance with approved drawings and specifications. * Support the testing and commissioning of new or modified equipment, including rotation checks, protection checks, interlock tests and safe start-up. * Do not make unauthorized changes to programmable logic controller programs, safety circuits, protection settings or machine interlocks. * Mark up drawings and provide accurate information for updates to schematics, cable schedules, equipment registers and maintenance plans. * Identify practical opportunities to improve reliability, energy use, maintainability and electrical safety, and submit recommendations through the agreed change-control process. Maintenance Control and Resources * Create, update and close work orders with a clear description of the fault, action taken, parts used and further work required. * Check critical electrical spares and advise the Electrical Foreman when stock levels, obsolescence or lead times could create operational risk. * Keep tools, meters, test leads, ladders and portable equipment secure, serviceable and within required calibration or inspection dates. * Maintain a clean work area and remove waste, redundant cables, packaging and replaced components after every task. * Participate in maintenance planning, shift handovers, toolbox talks, risk assessments and post-breakdown reviews. Teamwork and Technical Support * Work constructively with production operators, artisans, technicians, contractors and engineers to diagnose and resolve equipment problems. * Give clear shift handovers covering outstanding defects, isolated equipment, temporary controls, parts required and work still in progress. * Provide task guidance to electrical assistants and apprentices within the limits of competence and delegated authority. * Monitor contractors working on assigned electrical tasks and immediately report unsafe work, poor workmanship or deviation from scope. * Share technical knowledge and lessons from failures to improve team capability and prevent recurrence. Requirements * Matric with Maths/Maths lit * Recognized Electrician Trade Test certificate * Five to ten years of post-trade industrial electrical maintenance experience in a manufacturing or process environment * Practical experience with three-phase systems, motors, motor control, switchgear, variable speed drives, control circuits and industrial distribution * Ability to diagnose electrical and control faults methodically using drawings, meters, alarms and equipment diagnostics * Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, panel layouts, manuals and equipment specifications * Working knowledge of maintenance management systems, electronic work orders and standard office software * Willingness to work shifts, standby, call outs, weekends and planned shutdowns when rostered Competencies: Individual Contributor * Valuing Differences - Working effectively with individuals of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds; seeks out and uses unique abilities, insights, and ideas from diverse individuals. * Work standards - Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed. * Initiating Action - Taking prompt action to accomplish work goals; taking action to achieve results beyond what is required; being proactive. * Planning and Organising - Establishing an action plan for self and others to complete work efficiently and on time by setting priorities, establishing timelines, and leveraging resources. * Continuous Learning - Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application