Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?
The Key Purpose of this role lead and govern the Brewing Maintenance Strategy across the zone to improve asset reliability, operational performance, cost management, technical capability, and continuous improvement.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
Lead structured problem-solving activities.
Ensure effective root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions for major failures.
Develop technical capability within the zone.
Build succession pipelines for Controllers, Planners, Engineers, and future maintenance leaders.
Develop, maintain, and deploy the Zone Brewing Maintenance Strategy
Ensure alignment with business objectives, operational requirements and asset management standards
Secure reliability of critical brewing assets
Drive life cycle management and reliability improvement initiatives for key equipment
Lead ATO implementation across breweries
Monitor execution and ensure sustainability of improvements
Provide guidance on: Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) and Upholding Plant & Performance (UPP)
Ensure maintenance expenditure is optimized and linked to planned maintenance activities.
Strategy & Governance
Maintain an aligned, updated, and relevant Brewing Maintenance Strategy.
Monitor strategy execution through bi-weekly KPI reviews.
Drive continuous improvement and benchmarking across breweries.
Asset Reliability
Identify critical zone equipment and establish lifecycle plans.
Review and update Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) packages.
Ensure asset risk mitigation plans are implemented.
Safety
Ensure maintenance activities comply with all safety standards and requirements.
PSM implementation for Dust and NH3.
Statutory program managed.
Promote a proactive safety culture across all breweries.
Knowledge Sharing
Capture and implement maintenance learnings across breweries.
Standardize best practices throughout the zone.
Technical Capability
Develop technical mastery within maintenance teams.
Coach engineers, planners, and controllers through regular plant engagements.
Monitor training effectiveness and competency growth.
ATO Management
Implement, track, and sustain ATO initiatives.
Review progress, identify gaps, and drive corrective actions.
Financial & Resource Management
Monitor maintenance budgets and expenditure.
Ensure planned maintenance work is executed efficiently.
Improve maintenance cost effectiveness through ZBB principles.
Spare Parts Management
Ensure effective critical spares identification and management.
Optimize inventory levels while maintaining equipment reliability.
Talent Development
Develop succession plans and talent pipelines.
Implement and manage trainee development programs.
Support leadership and technical capability growth within the zone.
Breakdown Management
Review all breakdowns exceeding 12 hours.
Ensure Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is conducted.
Verify that corrective actions are implemented and closed out effectively.
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced SAP PM knowledge.
Maintenance systems implementation experience.
Expertise in brewing, packaging, utilities, and/or malting processes.
Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
Proven Problem-solving and performance improvement capability.
Experience in coaching and developing plant leadership teams.
BSC degree Engineering qualification or equivalent.
10 years minimum in Project Management and/or Maintenance /Engineering Operations.
Additional Information:
Band: VII
AB InBev is an equal opportunity employer. Appointments will be made in accordance with the company’s Employment Equity Plan and talent requirements. While the advert outlines the minimum requirements, management reserves the right to apply additional criteria during the shortlisting process.
Founded in 1895, The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd (SAB) is part of AB Inbev, the world’s biggest brewer with more than 400 brands and brewing interests around the world. Rules of Engagement: https://www.sab.co.za/terms-of-use
SAB is South Africa’s leading brewer and one of the nation’s most admired companies. The company operates 7 breweries and 42 depots in South Africa with an annual brewing capacity of 3.1 billion litres. Its portfolio of beer brands meets the needs of a wide range of consumers and includes brands rich in heritage such as Castle Lager, Hansa Pilsener and Carling Black Label.
