About the role

The Operations and Maintenance Assistant Manager will oversee all maintenance activities, ensuring efficient system management, customer satisfaction, and resource optimization. The role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, handling administrative tasks, managing customer queries, and ensuring safety and compliance.

Duties & Responsibilities
Operations and Maintenance Assistant Manager will be expected to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities:

Administration:

• Prepare weekly and monthly operations reports for GM’s reporting to the Board
• Generate plant monthly power consumption/ generation and water used for power generation as primary feed into monthly reporting to regulatory authorities.
• Develop methods for monitoring assets and tracking maintenance components and spares.
• Conducted route cause analysis (RCA) and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) for critical plant breakdowns to prevent recurrence and promote continuous improvement.
• Carryout six sigma for recurring system faults to deter recurrence.
• Use available tools to monitor transformer performance. PQ analysis, pressure testing of cables and transformers, vibration monitoring of generation plants etc. Carryout thermal imaging condition monitoring of assets.
• Ensure effective use of safety documents to be compliant with all necessary statutory requirements and relevant standards. (ZPL safety rule book, ZS418, Electricity act, ERB requirements etc.
• Audit weekly schedules and manpower utilization for all personnel.

Maintenance and System Management:

• Coordinate all maintenance activities within the organization.
• Carry out annual maintenance and quickly resolve system incidents using computerized CMMS tools (implementation of CMMS is underway).
• Develop 52-weekly plans using specialized tools such as MS projects and manage the maintenance backlog cost-effectively.
• Conduct failure analysis procedures and modify the grid to reduce downtime and system faults.
• Monitor the condition of distribution network equipment such as transformers, switchgear, gearboxes, overhead cranes (at the hydro), overhead lines, etc.
• Perform hydro plant maintenance.
• Analyse drawing of materials from stores monthly and establish a fast-moving items list for cost-effective budgeting and usage of resources within the first month of employment.
• Implement quality assurance and process audits to optimize maintenance activities within the first month of employment.

Customer Service and Fault Resolution:

• Ensure correct data entry of new connections to protect revenue collection during new installations
• Identify and correct all illegal extensions within two months of being employed
• Carryout weekly SPM audits to ensure there are no none vending customers and therefore identify and eliminate meter by-passes on the system
• Attend customer queries/complaints and ensure timely resolution of faults within 24 hours.
• Ensure customer supply complaints are resolved within 24 hours to improve the reliability of the power supply.
• Reduce the number of system trip-outs to less than 5 monthly.
  Team leadership coordination and Development
• Mentor employees, promote teamwork, and ensure good working culture and ethics.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to achieve key performance indicators.
• Oversee activities related to mechanics, new installations, and grid projects.
• Work with the HSES Manager to promote safety and conduct training sessions.
• Transform underperforming teams through effective leadership.

Resource Management:

• Manage resources (man-hours, motor vehicles, and materials) cost-effectively.
• Audit and manage the use of fuel.
• Analyse the drawing of materials from stores monthly and establish a fast-moving items list for cost-effective budgeting and resource usage within the first month of employment.

Construction and Installation:

• Reduce construction and new installation backlog to zero within three months of employment.
• Increase the customer base to 2500 by the end of 2024.
• Generate weekly reports on all construction projects as a basis for milestone claims on financial reimbursements from the relevant institutions.

Other Assigned Duties

• Perform other assigned tasks.

Minimum Requirements:

The ideal candidate would have the following skills and credentials:

• Proficient in coordinating and managing maintenance activities.
• Expert use of MS Project or equivalent tools
• Experience with CMMS tools.
• Expertise in quality assurance and process audits.
• Strong leadership and team coordination skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in resource management.
• Skilled in data analysis and budgeting.
• Focus on continuous improvement.
• Experience in overseeing construction and installation projects.
• Understanding of HSES standards and practices.

Education and Experience:

• Grade 12 certificate
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or an Equivalent Diploma in a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in operations and maintenance management within the power generation, utilities, or manufacturing industries.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications in maintenance management, project management (PMP), and quality assurance would be an added advantage.
• Familiar with the SAPP isolation procedures which will be useful knowledge to assist the company during operations and maintenance to transition after the interconnection with ZESCO.
• In Depth understanding of ZABs standards relevant to operations, maintenance and construction of distribution systems such as ZS418, ZS392 etc.
• In depth understanding of the national grid code, and the relevant acts associated with the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy.
• Conversant with operations of integrated systems with multiple sources of power supply.
• Knowledge of construction and operations generating plants (Solar, Hydro).
• A Proven track record of leading teams and managing maintenance operations.