Thrive People & Strategy is recruiting on behalf a magnetite processing operation based in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. We are looking for a detail-oriented and dependable Plant Maintenance Administrator to provide dual administrative and coordination support to both the Production Manager and the Maintenance Supervisor. This is a cross-functional role that sits at the heart of plant operations — responsible for keeping the maintenance management system accurate, the scheduling running on time, and the administrative backbone of the plant functioning reliably. If you take pride in accuracy, thrive in a structured production environment, and are equally comfortable working with systems and people, this role is for you.
Reporting Structure: The Plant Administrator reports directly to the Maintenance Supervisor and works in close collaboration with the Production Manager on a day-to-day basis. The role requires strong working relationships across both functions to ensure information flows efficiently and administrative tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Key Priorities: The role carries three primary areas of accountability, in order of priority:
• Maintenance System Administration: Ensuring the Maintenance System is accurately configured and maintained is the primary responsibility. This includes generating and capturing job cards, reconciling maintenance costs against the Sage financial system, and developing system features to support cost history, asset configuration, and root cause analysis.
• Scheduling & Administrative Coordination: Assisting the Maintenance Supervisor with maintenance scheduling, shutdown planning, standby rosters, and general administrative follow-up to ensure the plant operates without administrative bottlenecks.
• Production & Operational Support: Supporting the Production Manager with day-to-day activities, including daily production reports, meeting minutes, downtime reports, and monthly KPI reporting.
Minimum Requirements
• Qualifications: Grade 12 or N3, with Mathematics and Physical Science as passed subjects. A relevant post-matric qualification in business administration or a related field is preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of two years’ experience in a production or maintenance environment. Proven experience working with a maintenance management system is required.
• Systems: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) is required. Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Project is advantageous. Experience with OnKey and/or SAGE, or a comparable maintenance and financial system, is a strong advantage.
• Driver’s Licence: A valid Code B/EB driver’s licence is advantageous.
• Background Checks: Appointment is subject to satisfactory background checks.
Technical Skills
In addition to administrative experience, the role requires a practical orientation toward maintenance systems and production processes. The following technical competencies will be valuable:
Maintenance Management Systems • Practical working knowledge of relevant Maintenance Systems, including job card generation, cost capturing, asset configuration, and system development — or demonstrable experience with a comparable system. • Ability to reconcile job card costs against a financial system (SAGE or equivalent) and identify and resolve discrepancies.
Reporting & Data Administration • Competence in producing structured reports from plant data, including maintenance KPI reports, equipment failure logs, and production summaries. • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data capturing, tracking, and basic analysis. Experience with Microsoft Project for scheduling purposes is an advantage.
Key Performance Areas
Production & Reporting • Record accurate and comprehensive minutes at all production meetings and distribute to relevant stakeholders. • Update and maintain daily production reports to reflect current output and operational status. • Compile the monthly Maintenance KPI report, incorporating maintenance costs and key performance metrics. • Generate Equipment Failure Reports and downtime records to support root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
Maintenance System & Job Cards • Generate job cards for all maintenance requests on the OnKey Maintenance System, ensuring completeness and accuracy. • Capture completed job cards on the OnKey system promptly upon task completion. • Print and distribute all maintenance job cards to the relevant artisans and supervisors. • Ensure accurate reconciliation of maintenance costs per job card between the OnKey and Sage financial systems. • Develop and implement OnKey system features to support maintenance cost history, asset configuration, maintenance schedules, and root cause analysis.
Scheduling & Administration • Assist the Maintenance Supervisor with planning weekly maintenance schedules and coordinating scheduled shutdowns. • Compile and distribute the monthly standby schedule for artisans. • Compile attendance registers for safety line-up meetings and record minutes of morning line-ups. • Devise, implement, and maintain an efficient office filing system for all plant documentation. • Monitor and follow up on outstanding maintenance administrative issues to ensure timely resolution. • Provide general administrative support to both the Production Manager and Maintenance Supervisor as required.
Asset & Budget Support • Maintain and update the plant asset register to reflect current equipment status and specifications. • Assist with the compilation of the annual maintenance budget, including cost tracking and variance reporting.
Behavioural Competencies The successful candidate will be recognised by the following attributes:
• Accuracy and attention to detail – takes ownership of data quality and ensures that records, reports, and system entries are consistently correct
• Deadline-driven and organised – manages multiple concurrent tasks effectively and delivers on commitments without close supervision
• Problem-solving – identifies issues proactively and follows through with practical solutions
• Communication – engages clearly and professionally with supervisors, artisans, and colleagues across both production and maintenance functions
• Integrity – handles sensitive operational and financial data with honesty and discretion
• Self-motivation – takes initiative, maintains high standards, and operates effectively in a fast-paced plant environment
Thrive People & Strategy is an equal opportunity recruiter. All appointments will be made in line with the client’s employment equity commitments and applicable South African legislation.
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