The posting
Releaf is a Logistics and Value Addition platform for African Food Factories, focusing on the palm kernel oil industry. This crop focus can, however, shift to other crops over time. Their solution is simple, they source, light-process and deliver raw materials needed by agricultural factories in Nigeria. On first glance, they are just a procurement and supply company. Yet, their stellar innovation is in leveraging their proprietary smart-processing technology. This technology helps increase the amount of addressable, quality material sourced directly from smallholding farming communities thus aiding these farmers in connecting to better-paying processing companies in the most convenient ways possible.
The dynamism of their solution is how they have come to outperform competitors who rely on traders. When you think about this "competition", you can think Afex, Olam or Flour mills. However, Their difference from the pack is implemented by their "hybridization" of highly engaging farmer relationship management; proprietary hardware processing and strong logistics functions.
They are a company founded by a group of young American Nigerians who studied at MIT, Duke, and Yale with experience at elite global firms McKinsey, General Electric, Bain, and Facebook. The Firm is supported by Pres. Adesina of AfDB, Nigeria’s former Minister of Agriculture & funded by Y Combinator and Bill Gates' investment firm BEV. They have raised a total of $1M seed round funding and processing Annual Revenue Run-rates of $500K. They have created 40+ jobs working with 1000+ smallholder farmers in Southern Nigeria
About The Role
The team at Releaf is looking for a Maintenance Manager to oversee the maintenance team in providing both proactive and reactive maintenance services to ensure that Releaf’s Production Facilities are functional at all times.
What do you need to do to be considered successful
You will lead the team with an eye to optimize maintenance cost and improve production efficiency. You will take the lead in coordinating the installation, repair and maintenance of the company's facilities,oversee the procurement and inventory of equipment ,you’ll also be responsible for the following:
- Lead and coach the Maintenance team.
- Ensure minimal maintenance downtime.
- Plan and schedule routine/preventive maintenance and repairs.
- Develop and implement maintenance best practices and/or procedures.
- Monitor equipment inventory and and ensure fail-safe state for the machinery.
- Manage introduction and specifications for new machine parts or equipment.
- Manage relationship with Releaf’s vendors and/or suppliers.
- Manage maintenance cost and other KPIs.
- Make presentations and communicate on issues impacting maintenance.
- Drive the recruitment and selection of best candidates for our Maintenance team, and provide coaching, mentorship and training for the team to ensure constant upskilling and development of the team’s capabilities.
- Contribute to new business initiatives and projects; then review and communicate impact on maintenance.
- Develop a routine Planned Preventive Maintenance schedule and ensure full and effective implementation and adherence.
- Coordinate routine daily, weekly and monthly checks to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operation of the production facility.
- Coordinate or advise the scheduling both internal and external activities to maximize planned down time as well as drive initiatives to reduce unplanned downtime.
- Lead problem solving for the technical team.
- Develop clear accountability for maintenance cost and continuously advise on strategy to manage expenditure.
- Provide expert advice on maintenance budget and ensure efficient management of the maintenance budget and costs.
- Manage the process of introducing new machinery or equipment: from drawing up specification, managing suppliers/vendors through to actual and installation and engaging other stakeholders such as the Production Manager.
- Perform root cause analysis and resolve technical issues; with clear counter measures to prevent reoccurrence.
- Conduct risk assessment of maintenance processes and activities and advise accordingly.
- Manage inventory of systems and equipment and maintain high levels of standard and accuracy.
- Produce daily, weekly and monthly maintenance reports
- Ensure that the Maintenance department operates in accordance with Releaf’s health and safety policies and procedures.
How Important are you to the bottomline.
You will ensure the efficiency of the production facilities by making and acting upon proactive maintenance precautions while also looking out for opportunities to optimize maintenance costs without compromising on quality.
The Biggest Problem Solving Duties on The Job
You will have to be the eye of the facility when it comes to maintenance and other ancillary matters, you will be continually look out for ways to ensure the production facilities are not compromised, you wont have to carry this alone, as you would have the added responsibility of building a viable maintenance team capable of ensuring that the production facilities are running efficiently.
What you need to have done in your Career?
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent (preferably Mechanical).
- Demonstrable experience as a Fitter Mechanic with hands on experience in fabrication (fitting and welding).
- 6+ years experience in a production environment.
- 2+ years as a manager/leading a technical team
- Good experience working with heavy machinery using bearings, pulleys, motors, heating mechanisms, boilers.
- Demonstrable experience in problem solving methodologies/tools
- Demonstrable experience in screening for talents and developing a team.
- Must be comfortable working in a team.
- Comfortable working and/or communicating with digital tools - Whatsapp, email, etc. and staying available on mobile.
- Good understanding of maintenance best practices and ability to design technical solutions from scratch
