Technical Manager Western Cape

Introduction

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Technical Manager is a specialized leadership role responsible for the operational, technical and financial performance of the region. This position serves as the primary technical authority, ensuring that all maintenance and repairs meet core quality standards while optimizing labour costs through a streamlined management hierarchy.

Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Authority & Sign-off

• Act as the legally authorized signatory for all specialized machinery maintenance, specifically forklift maintenance and safety compliance.

• Conduct final quality audits on complex repairs to ensure "First Time Fix" standards are met.

Operational Management & Reporting

• Manage the daily scheduling, productivity, and deployment of the Technician, Junior Technician and ATM staff.

• Ensure teams are managed effectively through efficient planning and prioritizing.

• Ensure breakdowns are minimised and repairs are timeous.

• Reporting Standard: Submit daily field activity reports and weekly machine "uptime" analytics

• Service attainment and management – develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules to minimize machine downtime.

• Technical leadership – training and mentoring Technicians and Junior Technicians.

• Diagnostics and Troubleshooting – diagnose complex mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues on MHE.

• Safety & Compliance – ensure all maintenance activities and equipment meet safety regulations

• Parts and inventory control – liaise with stores and or suppliers for efficient parts supply.

• Reporting and documentation – detailed records of repairs, maintenance logs and performance reports. Ensuring abuse is documented and cost recovered.

Customer Management (Operational Level)

• Address day-to-day client technical complaints and service escalations promptly.

• Conduct on-site quality reviews with clients to ensure satisfaction with core maintenance standards.

• Ensure weekly customer reporting and feedback.

• Ensure weekly cost recovery practices are attained, ensuring timeous sign-off and financial completeness.

• Ensure customer SLA attainment.

• Provide technical support to customers.

Strategic Business Management

• Monitor and manage regional spare parts inventory to reduce wastage and improve economic viability.

• Identify technical training gaps within the field team and provide direct mentorship to Technicians and Junior Technicians.

Financial Management

• Maintain portfolio budget.

• Report on financial performance for your region/portfolio.

• Ensure operational practices align to budget attainment.

Desired Experience & Qualification

​​​​ Minimum Requirements & Selection Criteria

• Mandatory Qualification: A valid and verifiable Trade Test (Red Seal) or Qualification in Forklift Technical field

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a supervisory or management role within a technical service environment.

• Technical knowledge – Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems

• Education – Engineering degree or related experience and Technical Management, would be advantageous.

• Skills – problem solving, leadership, communication (at all levels and various stakeholders) and organizational abilities.

• Tools – proficiency in using diagnostic tools, maintenance software and Microsoft suite.

• Financial Literacy: Proven experience in managing operational costs, inventory budgets, or site-level P&L.

• Soft Skills: Advanced proficiency in customer dispute resolution and technical reporting.

Key Performance Metrics

• Machine uptime – minimizing breakdowns and reducing repair time

• Safety Compliance – Zero safety violations

• Customer Satisfaction – high ratings in service quality and reliability