JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Zambia Sugar Plc

Zambia Sugar Plc is an ABF Sugar Company and the leading sugar producer in Zambia. Our core business is growing sugar cane, producing high-quality sugar, and creating value through a range of downstream products.

The company invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced people to fill the Engineering roles on a permanent basis within the Manufacturing Function. The roles will reside in our world class Packaging and Warehouse (Twazabuka). The roles will sit off in the project environment and will transition to business as usual providing the selected candidates with a unique opportunity to be part of the project team, transition team and the Business-As-Usual team. The successful candidates will acquire expertise during project implementation and develop skills for managing the machines, maintenance, and plants. These positions will report to the Project Integration Manager during the current project build and transition phase.

Mechanical Engineer – Twazabuka

The successful candidate will manage and oversee the mechanical scope of work for Twazabuka.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of the mechanical scope of the project from the planning stage to execution and completion.
• Review and develop mechanical systems to ensure that they meet the project and site specifications and standards. Review technical drawings and specifications for compliance and necessary standards.
• Co-create the maintenance philosophy for the equipment to be installed at Twazabuka, annual plan, goals and KPIs, aligned to EAM; lock shutdown/stop-day windows and acceptance criteria. Develop the necessary maintenance schedules and standards in the maintenance management system (SAP).
• Client liaison with contractors, consultants and internal teams facilitating communications and coordination throughout the project.
• Perform on-site inspections and provide technical support during the installation and implementation phase of the project.
• Ensure optimal performance of all mechanical equipment.
• Fulfil CM 2.1 duties by setting legal compliance plans, statutory inspections, and close-out cadence.
• Build the budget with Finance, set cost controls and savings initiatives.
• Prioritise work to protect uptime and safety, schedule off-crop/stop-day scopes accordingly.
• Translate loss data into improvement sprints and reliability themes by preparing business cases for capex that improve safety, cost, capacity, or quality.
• Plan and execute mechanical maintenance schedules for packing lines.
• Conduct root cause analysis and repair of mechanical failures to reduce downtime.
• Oversee installation and commissioning of new mechanical equipment or upgrades.
• Implement predictive maintenance programs (vibration analysis, lubrication management).
• Lead projects to enhance mechanical efficiency and safety compliance in packing operations.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance automation and data acquisition in packing operations.
• Drive rigorous performance management: clear standards, KPI reviews, recognition for strong performance, and fair consequence management for non-compliance.
• Establish and coach a problem-solving culture; hold internal teams and vendors accountable for durable fixes and standards adherence.
• Lead cross-functional alignment so plans, risk controls, and hand-backs are understood and executed across shifts.
• Oversee daily execution to achieve maintenance targets on safety, quality, schedule, budget and service level.
• Maintain complete CMMS discipline and accurate BOMs; publish KPI dashboards and exception reports on cadence.
• Identify and stage off-crop/stop-day work; ensure materials, permits/LOTO, isolations, rigging, and commissioning systems are utilised.
• Monitor and report KPIs and flag adverse and positive trends to the Finished Goods Manager.
• Drive reliability trade-offs using data, launching initiatives that maximise output and quality at lowest risk and cost.
• Run governance to Group Risk & Assurance standards and maintain evidence of compliance.
• Reduce major or repeat audit findings to zero.
• Ensure maintenance reporting compliance to company procedures.
• Track capital projects against economic assumptions and deliverables; validate benefits realisation post-implementation.
• Promote and enforce ABFS policies: SHERQ & Food Safety, Competition Law, and Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC).

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade twelve certificate or equivalent
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Member of the EIZ
• 3–5 years of mechanical maintenance experience in high-speed packing or manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) methodologies
• Completed necessary training modules for area of responsibility
• Qualifications verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA)

Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV, copies of relevant qualifications, professional registrations, and a valid ID or Passport in PDF as a single document for the attention of the HR Business Partner to:

[email protected]

Indicating the position applied for in the subject line.

Internal applicants must complete the Internal Application Form and obtain the necessary approvals before submission.

Closing Date:

22nd May 2026

If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.