Our client, a leading producer of high-quality animal proteins, fats, oils, and minerals for the pet food, livestock, and aqua feed industries, is on the lookout for a talented PLC & Electrical Specialist to take the helm of automation and electrical systems at our Central Rendering Facility in Mpumalanga.
If you have the skill to swiftly identify faults on a sensor loop, navigate through PLC logic, and bring the plant back to life before anyone has finished their coffee, this is the role for you.
Key Responsibilities:
PLC & Automation Systems
- Maintain and program PLC systems used in the plant, primarily Allen-Bradley platforms
• Maintain and manage the SCADA system controlling plant processes
• Ensure plant control logic is correct, stable, and optimized for production efficiency
• Modify PLC logic where required to improve reliability and throughput
• Ensure integration between PLCs, sensors, and automated equipment
• Maintain PLC backups, version control, and program documentation
Electrical Infrastructure
- Perform electrical installation, maintenance, and repairs throughout the factory
• Install electrical wiring, lighting, distribution boards, and electrical points
• Maintain motors, drives, panels, and electrical control systems
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults quickly to minimise downtime
• Ensure all electrical work complies with South African electrical regulations
Sensors & Instrumentation
- Maintain sensors, transmitters, and instrumentation connected to PLC systems
• Diagnose faulty sensors affecting plant control logic
• Ensure reliable signal communication between sensors and PLC systems
• Assist in the installation of instrumentation for new equipment and processes
Preventative Maintenance
- Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules for automation and electrical systems
• Conduct routine inspections of electrical panels, PLC cabinets, sensors and control systems
• Identify potential failures before they result in downtime
Equipment Integration & Expansion
- Support installation and commissioning of new equipment and automation systems
• Integrate new machinery into existing PLC and SCADA systems
• Support factory expansion projects from an automation and electrical perspective
Production Support
- Work closely with production teams to resolve automation issues affecting throughput
• Assist operators with troubleshooting control system issues
• Improve plant performance through automation improvements
Training & Technical Support
- Provide training to millwrights and maintenance personnel on PLC and electrical systems
• Support production teams with understanding equipment automation and controls
• Assist engineering team in diagnosing complex automation problems
Weekend Technical Supervision
- Work every second weekend supporting maintenance operations
• Provide technical oversight for electrical and automation issues during weekend shifts
• Respond to emergency breakdowns involving PLC, SCADA, or electrical systems
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure electrical and automation systems comply with OHS Act and electrical regulations
• Follow safe electrical isolation procedures and lockout/tagout protocols
• Participate in safety audits and risk assessments relating to electrical systems
In terms of requirements:
You must have
- Trade-tested Electrician (non-negotiable)
- Minimum 5 years in an industrial electrical environment
- Proven, hands-on PLC programming experience
- The ability to work independently and respond decisively under pressure
You’ll stand out if you have
- Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLC experience
- SCADA system experience
- A Millwright or Instrument Mechanician qualification
- A background in food processing, rendering, FMCG, chemical, or mining plant environments
This role is not for you if
- You’re an electrician with no PLC programming exposure
- You’re a programmer with no electrical installation experience
- Your background is in building or residential electrical work
The person who thrives here is methodical, detail-oriented, hands-on, reliable under pressure, and genuinely takes pride in keeping a plant running at its best. You’ll work in a high-pressure, continuous production environment where your expertise is not just valued — it’s critical.