Hiring Now | Millwright | Isando, Gauteng | Permanent Position Available

AFGRI Group, one of South Africa’s leading agricultural services and food processing companies, is seeking an experienced and trade-tested Millwright to join their engineering team in Isando, Gauteng. This is a permanent junior management level opportunity for a hands-on, self-starting trades professional with a minimum of 5 years of combined electrical and mechanical experience and proven exposure to a production or animal feeds environment. If you hold a Millwright Trade Test and are ready to take ownership of plant maintenance, breakdown repairs, and preventative maintenance in a fast-paced production setting, this role is for you.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply today.

Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Millwright
Reference Number	AO-2369
Department / Industry	Engineering – Production & Plant Maintenance
Job Type	Permanent
Work Level	Junior Management
Salary	Market Related
Location	Isando, Gauteng
Closing Date	03 June 2026
EE Position	Yes
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

The filling of this position will be aligned with AFGRI’s Employment Equity Policy. Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups.

Applicants are required to read AFGRI’s HR Processing Notice in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), available at https://www.agh.co.za before applying.

About the Role

AFGRI’s Isando facility forms part of the group’s broader animal feeds and agri-processing operations — a production environment where plant uptime is critical and engineering expertise is the backbone of operational continuity. The Millwright plays a central role in ensuring that all electrical and mechanical systems and machinery operate at peak efficiency, that breakdowns are resolved swiftly, and that a rigorous preventative maintenance programme keeps unplanned downtime to a minimum.

Reporting to the Engineering Foreman, you will be responsible for the full spectrum of plant maintenance — from routine inspections and scheduled preventative maintenance to urgent breakdown repairs on production machinery and equipment. You will work across both electrical and mechanical disciplines, applying your trade-tested expertise to diagnose faults, implement effective solutions, and ensure the facility’s infrastructure remains safe, compliant, and operational.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who works well independently, brings a hands-on approach to every task, and has the composure and technical depth to manage crises calmly and effectively. A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a production or animal feeds environment is essential — this is not a general maintenance role but one that demands familiarity with the specific demands and equipment found in agri-processing and feed production facilities.

Please note: A Millwright Trade Test is non-negotiable for this role. Applications that do not include a valid Millwright Trade Test qualification will not be considered under any circumstances. 3 years of experience in a production or animal feeds environment is also essential.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Maintenance: Electrical & Mechanical

• Perform comprehensive electrical and mechanical plant maintenance across all production machinery, equipment, and building infrastructure at the Isando facility.
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults including motor failures, control circuit issues, wiring defects, and switchgear problems.
• Carry out mechanical repairs and maintenance including work on gearboxes, conveyors, bearings, couplings, pumps, and related production equipment.
• Ensure all plant and equipment is maintained in a condition that supports optimal production uptime and efficiency.
• Execute maintenance tasks as per reasonable instruction from the Engineering Foreman, prioritising work in alignment with production schedules and operational priorities.

Breakdown Repairs & Fault-Finding

• Respond promptly to production breakdowns, applying advanced fault-finding and diagnostic skills to identify the root cause and implement effective repairs as quickly as possible.
• Perform inspections of production machinery and equipment to identify developing faults before they result in unplanned downtime.
• Apply crisis management skills to remain calm and solution-focused during high-pressure breakdown situations, minimising disruption to production.
• Document all breakdowns, repairs, and component replacements accurately to support root cause analysis and future preventative maintenance planning.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Foreman and production team to prioritise and escalate critical breakdowns that require additional resource or specialist support.

Preventative Maintenance Programme

• Execute the facility’s planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programme for all machinery, equipment, and buildings in accordance with the approved schedule.
• Complete all PPM tasks on time and to the required standard, ensuring inspections, lubrication, adjustments, component replacements, and cleaning are carried out correctly.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date PPM records, capturing all maintenance activities, findings, and any deviations from the planned schedule.
• Identify opportunities to improve the PPM programme based on breakdown trends, equipment wear patterns, and operational experience.
• Ensure that maintenance parts and consumables required for PPM activities are identified timeously and communicated to the Engineering Foreman for procurement.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable health and safety policies and regulations in the execution of all maintenance and repair activities.
• Apply lockout/tagout (LOTO) and other isolation procedures correctly and consistently when working on live electrical or mechanical systems.
• Identify and report safety hazards, non-compliances, and near-miss incidents in accordance with the facility’s health and safety reporting procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organised, and hazard-free work environment in all areas where maintenance activities are carried out.
• Support the Engineering Foreman in ensuring the department’s ongoing compliance with OHS Act requirements and AFGRI’s internal safety standards.

Administration & Reporting

• Complete all required job cards, maintenance logs, and work order documentation accurately and on time following each maintenance or repair activity.
• Maintain clear and current records of equipment condition, maintenance history, and parts usage to support effective asset management.
• Report on maintenance performance, breakdown frequency, and PPM compliance to the Engineering Foreman as required.
• Ensure all spare parts and materials used are correctly recorded and that stock replenishment requirements are communicated promptly.

Minimum Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• N3 Certificate or Grade 12 / Matric — minimum requirement.
• Millwright Trade Test — non-negotiable; applications without a valid Millwright Trade Test will not be considered.
• Any additional qualification in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or maintenance management will be advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ on-the-job electrical and mechanical experience — essential.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a production or animal feeds environment — essential; candidates without this specific industry exposure are unlikely to be shortlisted.
• Demonstrated experience in breakdown fault-finding, preventative maintenance, and plant upkeep in a production facility.

Licences

• A valid driver’s licence is advantageous for movement between areas of the facility and any off-site requirements.

Technical Skills

• Strong mechanical and electrical technical ability, with practical competence across both disciplines.
• Proficiency in fault diagnosis and troubleshooting on production machinery and electrical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Competence in applying LOTO procedures and safe isolation practices in a live production environment.
• Working knowledge of conveyor systems, motors, gearboxes, pumps, and related production equipment common in agri-processing facilities.

Knowledge Requirements

• Sound understanding of planned preventative maintenance principles and PPM programme execution.
• Knowledge of the OHS Act and its requirements as they apply to engineering and maintenance in a production environment.
• Familiarity with the equipment and operational demands of an animal feeds or agri-processing production environment.
• Understanding of maintenance record-keeping and asset management practices.

Skills & Competencies

• Problem-solving ability — diagnoses complex electrical and mechanical faults systematically and resolves them effectively.
• Crisis management skills — remains calm, focused, and solution-oriented when managing high-pressure breakdown situations.
• Ability to work independently and manage own workload without requiring constant supervision or direction.
• Good verbal communication skills for effective interaction with the Engineering Foreman, production staff, and colleagues.
• Strong attention to detail in both technical work quality and maintenance documentation.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter — takes initiative and proactively manages maintenance responsibilities without waiting to be directed.
• Hands-on — personally engaged in all maintenance and repair activities; not a desk-based role.
• Resilient under pressure — maintains composure and technical focus during breakdowns and production crises.
• Reliable and dependable — production operations depend on a Millwright who shows up, delivers, and follows through.
• Safety-conscious — never compromises on safe working practices regardless of time pressure or production urgency.

This is a designated EE position. AFGRI actively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates from previously disadvantaged groups in accordance with its Employment Equity Policy.

Core Values

Technical Mastery

A Millwright at AFGRI’s Isando facility is expected to bring genuine dual-discipline expertise — not a preference for one side of the trade over the other. Electrical and mechanical competence must be equally developed, because production machinery does not distinguish between the two when it fails. The ability to diagnose and resolve faults across both disciplines, under pressure, is the core of what this role demands.

Safety Without Compromise

In a live production environment, safety is never a secondary consideration. Every maintenance task, every breakdown repair, and every PPM activity must be executed in full compliance with health and safety procedures — particularly isolation and lockout protocols. AFGRI expects its Millwrights to model safe working practices at all times and to never allow production urgency to override the protection of people.

Operational Ownership

The Millwright at Isando is not a reactive technician who waits for things to break. Ownership of the preventative maintenance programme, proactive identification of developing faults, and a continuous drive to improve plant reliability are what distinguish a great Millwright from a competent one. AFGRI expects this role to be approached with the mindset of someone who takes personal responsibility for the facility’s engineering performance.

Crisis Competence

Production breakdowns are high-stakes events — downtime costs money, and the pressure to restore operations quickly is real. The best Millwrights are defined not by how rarely things go wrong, but by how effectively they respond when they do. Remaining calm, thinking clearly, diagnosing accurately, and executing repairs decisively under pressure is a defining competency for success in this role.

Integrity & Accountability

Maintenance records, PPM completions, and breakdown reports are not just administrative tasks — they are the foundation of sound asset management and engineering decision-making. AFGRI expects its Millwrights to be honest and thorough in all documentation, to report accurately even when results are not ideal, and to take personal accountability for the quality of their work and the accuracy of their records.

Career Growth Opportunities

AFGRI Group supports the development of skilled engineering professionals within its production and agri-processing operations:

• Millwright → Senior Millwright / Lead Artisan
• Senior Millwright → Engineering Foreman / Maintenance Supervisor
• Engineering Foreman → Maintenance Manager / Engineering Manager
• Engineering Manager → Operations Manager / Plant Director

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Millwright Trade Test strictly required, or will other trade qualifications be considered? The Millwright Trade Test is explicitly listed as non-negotiable for this role. No other trade qualification will be accepted as a substitute. Applications that do not include a valid, recognised Millwright Trade Test certificate will not be considered under any circumstances.

Why is experience in a production or animal feeds environment essential? AFGRI’s Isando facility operates as an agri-processing and animal feeds production environment. The equipment, operational demands, and maintenance challenges in this setting are specific and distinct from general manufacturing or engineering environments. Candidates without at least 3 years of experience in a production or animal feeds environment will not have the contextual knowledge needed to perform effectively from day one and are unlikely to be shortlisted.

How much electrical versus mechanical work does this role involve? This is a dual-discipline Millwright role requiring strong competence in both electrical and mechanical maintenance. Candidates who are dominant in one discipline but limited in the other will not meet the requirements. The role demands genuine, hands-on capability across both areas — from electrical fault-finding and control systems to mechanical repairs on conveyors, gearboxes, and production equipment.

What is the salary for this Millwright position in Isando? The salary is market related and will be discussed with shortlisted candidates during the interview process. AFGRI offers competitive remuneration for trade-tested engineering professionals at the junior management level.

Is this an Employment Equity position? Yes. This is a designated EE position and the appointment will be made in alignment with AFGRI’s Employment Equity Policy. Suitably qualified candidates from previously disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.

When does this vacancy close, and how will I know if I have been shortlisted? The closing date is 03 June 2026. Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Applicants who have not received any feedback within 30 days of the closing date may consider their applications unsuccessful.

How to Apply

Ready to bring your Millwright expertise to one of South Africa’s leading agri-processing facilities? Applications are open now. Quote reference number AO-2369 in all correspondence.

👉 Apply Online via the AFGRI Group Careers Portal

Please read AFGRI’s HR Processing Notice at https://www.agh.co.za before submitting your application, in compliance with POPIA requirements.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who have not received feedback within 30 days of the closing date (03 June 2026) may consider their applications unsuccessful.

This position will be filled in accordance with AFGRI’s Employment Equity Policy.

Apply early — this vacancy closes on 03 June 2026.

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