Greenhouse Facilities

7 days ago

East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Farm Full time
East London area – Eastern Cape: This leading horticultural farm dedicated to sustainable agriculture and high-quality plant production are seeking a Greenhouse Facilities & Equipment Maintenance Manager to join our production team.
 
This is a 'LIVE OUT' position.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • Diploma or degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, agricultural engineering, horticulture technology or related field (or equivalent vocational training/certification).
  • 5+ years of hands-on maintenance experience, preferably in greenhouses, protected agriculture, hydroponics, or intensive farming (tomato/vegetable experience highly advantageous).
  • Proven knowledge of greenhouse climate control drip irrigation/fertigation systems, and automated controls (familiarity with brands common in SA like Netafim, Richel, or similar).
  • Strong understanding of electrical, plumbing, welding/fabrication and basic HVAC principles.
  • Experience with preventive maintenance software or record-keeping systems.
  • Valid driver's license; forklift or similar certification advantageous.
SKILLS REQUIRED
  • Technical troubleshooting and problem-solving under pressure.
  • Leadership and team supervision.
  • Budgeting and inventory management.
  • Safety-focused mindset.
  • Good communication (Eng/Afr/Xhosa/Zulu)
  • Ability to work outdoors/in varying conditions and to respond to emergencies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance of all greenhouse structures, including frames (often polyethylene-covered or net houses), cladding, vents, screening systems, and shading mechanisms to withstand Eastern Cape winds and UV exposure.
  • Manage maintenance and repairs of climate control systems: ventilation, shading nets, and automated environmental controllers/computers. (with Growers help-computer)
  • Maintain irrigation and fertigation systems: drip lines (e.g., pressure-compensated non-leakage drippers), pumps, filters, valves, nutrients; dosing/mixing units, water storage tanks, and recirculation systems when upgraded.
  • Service and repair mechanical and electrical equipment: dosing equipment, lighting, boom irrigators, and automation sensors (temperature, humidity, EC/pH)
  • Coordinate maintenance of support infrastructure: drainage systems, pathways, packing/processing areas, water treatment (filtration, UV/ozone when implemented), backup generators/power systems (critical due to load shedding risks in EC, SA and vehicles/forklifts used on-site.
  • Develop and implement long-term maintenance plans, schedules, and budgets; track spare parts inventory and order supplies to minimize downtime.
  • Supervise and train a team of maintenance technicians, general workers, or contractors; assign tasks, ensure safety compliance (e.g., working at heights, electrical safety, PPE), and conduct performance monitoring.
  • Ensure compliance with South African regulations (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety Act, environmental standards for water/chemical use)
  • Troubleshoot issues quickly to avoid crop losses (e.g., pump failure affecting irrigation during critical growth stages or vent malfunction causing overheating.)
  • Collaborate with production/growing teams to schedule maintenance during low-impact periods and report on system performance impacting yields.
  • Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, costs, and equipment history.
  • Inspecting facility in the areas of safety and maintenance requirements
ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted