Senior Mechanical Engineer– Integrated Sugar Factory …, Cape Town

OVERVIEW Senior Mechanical Engineer– Integrated Sugar Factory Operations Location:

East Africa Industry:

Sugar Manufacturing | Agro-Industrial Processing | Power&Utilities Level:

Senior Engineering Leadership Reporting to:

Head of Engineering / Factory General Manager

A Strategic Engineering Leadership Opportunity My Client an established, large-scale

Sugar Factory in East Africa

is seeking a highly experienced

Senior Mechanical Engineer

to play a pivotal leadership role within a fully integrated sugar manufacturing operation.

This is not a routine maintenance role— it is a high-impact engineering leadership position focused on safeguarding asset reliability, improving operational performance, and driving long-term engineering excellence in a complex, continuous-process industrial environment.

We are specifically interested in accomplished engineering professionals who have built their careers within

African sugar manufacturing environments , and who understand the operational realities, technical challenges, and leadership demands of large-scale sugar production across the continent.

This opportunity offers:

Strategic influence over critical factory assets and long-term engineering direction.

A senior decision-making platform within a major agro-industrial operation.

Exposure to integrated sugar operations including milling, boilers, turbines, power generation, and refinery systems.

The ability to lead transformation, reliability improvement, and modern engineering practices.

A strong platform for seasoned engineers looking to make a measurable operational impact.

Remuneration Structure:

Salary : Highly competitive Salary paid: in

US$ 8000 +

Net offshore

(highly negotiable)

Local living allowance

Annual incentive bonus structure

Housing / Accommodation provided ( single / Family status)

Medical insurance

Company vehicle

Annual Leave

Annual return Air tickets to point of origin congruent to leave cycle

Role Purpose The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide leadership and technical direction across all mechanical engineering activities supporting sugar production. The role focuses on maximising mechanical reliability, reducing production downtime, and ensuring operational continuity through robust maintenance systems, technical mentorship, and engineering innovation.

The incumbent will serve as a key engineering leader during both production campaigns and planned shutdowns, ensuring equipment integrity across the entire sugar process chain.

Key Strategic Responsibilities Mechanical Reliability Leadership

Provide senior-level oversight of all mechanical assets across the factory including:

Cane preparation and handling systems

Milling tandems and extraction systems

Boilers, pressure systems, and steam infrastructure

Turbines and power generation equipment

Pumps, gearboxes, compressors, conveyors, and rotating machinery

Evaporation, crystallisation, and refinery systems

Packaging and utilities infrastructure

Drive reliability-centred maintenance practices and long-term asset integrity strategies.

Reduce unplanned downtime through engineering-led improvements.

Engineering Strategy&Maintenance Excellence

Lead preventative and predictive maintenance frameworks.

Oversee major overhaul programs and off-crop shutdown planning.

Introduce modern reliability tools including condition-based monitoring and failure trend analysis.

Enhance maintenance planning disciplines and CMMS utilisation.

Improve engineering standards and maintenance culture across teams.

Operations Partnership&Performance Optimisation

Partner closely with factory operations leadership to improve throughput and recovery performance.

Drive mechanical solutions that optimise process efficiency and plant utilisation.

Provide rapid, technically sound leadership during critical breakdown scenarios.

Utilities&Energy Systems

Provide senior oversight of high-pressure steam systems, boilers, and turbine operations.

Improve energy efficiency, steam balance, and mechanical performance of utility systems.

Support sustainable engineering initiatives and cost optimisation.

Leadership&Capability Development

Lead multidisciplinary maintenance teams including supervisors, artisans, and specialists.

Mentor emerging engineers and strengthen engineering capability within the organisation.

Drive engineering accountability, safety culture, and technical discipline.

Influence cross-functional collaboration between maintenance and production teams.

Safety, Compliance&Governance

Ensure strict compliance with engineering safety standards and legal requirements.

Champion safe working practices and risk-based engineering decision-making.

Participate in incident investigations and technical risk mitigation programs.

Candidate Profile— Critical Requirements We are specifically seeking engineering leaders who meet the following profile:

Experience (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

10–20+ years’ experience within sugar factory environments (critical).

Proven track record in large integrated sugar operations within:

Southern Africa

East AfricaWest Africa

Extensive exposure to continuous-process factory operations.

Experience managing maintenance during high-pressure production campaigns.

Demonstrated leadership in plant-wide mechanical reliability improvement.

Technical Background

Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).

Deep expertise in rotating equipment, milling systems, steam and power generation, and heavy mechanical systems.

Strong understanding of reliability engineering principles.

Experience with large shutdown planning and execution.

Familiarity with modern maintenance systems and engineering analytics.

Leadership Attributes We Are Looking For

Respected technical authority within sugar engineering environments.

Calm, solutions-driven leadership under operational pressure.Strategic thinker who can balance long-term reliability with immediate production demands.

Strong mentoring capability with a people-development mindset.

Culturally adaptable with experience working in diverse African operational contexts.

What Will Differentiate You

Experience across multiple African sugar operations or multi-site groups.

Exposure to engineering modernisation initiatives.

Strong power generation or boiler systems knowledge.

Demonstrated success reducing downtime and improving extraction efficiency.

A reputation as a practical, hands-on engineering leader.

The Opportunity

Shape engineering performance at a strategic level.

Work within one of Africa’s key agro-industrial sectors.

Lead meaningful engineering transformation.

Apply decades of sugar industry expertise where it matters most— on operational outcomes.

Ideal Candidate Motivation

Wants to influence factory-wide performance rather than manage only day-to-day maintenance.

Values operational impact over corporate hierarchy.

Is motivated by engineering excellence within a challenging industrial environment.

Application Considerations

Detailed

CV with head and shoulders photo

outlining sugar factory experience and operational exposure.

Details of major plants, capacities, and engineering responsibilities held.

Professional engineering registrations (where applicable).

References confirming leadership and technical capability.

Applications should be sent Att Butch Mollett– Email: Mobile / WhatsApp: +27 83 689 4769

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