Chief Mechanic

Company background
Strategic Development Mining Company (SDMC) is a Liberian mining company engaged in alluvial mining under a Class B mining licence issued by the Government of Liberia. The company seeks to develop its mineral resources through efficient operations, responsible resource management, workforce development and constructive relationships with host communities.
Position purpose
Lead maintenance planning and workshop execution to maintain safe, reliable mobile equipment and processing assets while controlling repair quality, downtime and maintenance costs.

Principal responsibilities

·       Develop preventive maintenance schedules using operating hours, manufacturer guidance and equipment condition.

·       Allocate jobs to competent tradespeople, supervise workmanship and verify inspections and tests before equipment release.

·       Diagnose complex faults, review recurring failures and implement corrective actions addressing underlying causes.

·       Plan shutdowns with mining and processing teams; prioritise defects according to safety, operational impact and available resources.

·       Maintain asset registers, service histories, work orders, critical spares lists and repair cost records.

·       Prepare maintenance budgets and parts requests; assess supplier quotations and external repairs within delegated authority.

·       Enforce workshop housekeeping, isolation, lifting, hot work and stored energy controls; reserve electrical technical decisions for competent electrical personnel.

·       Train maintenance personnel, review performance and arrange specialist support when work exceeds site competence.

·       Report asset availability, backlog, costs and major risks to management with clear repair or replacement recommendations.

·       Create a critical equipment list and distinguish urgent safety defects from planned reliability improvements.

·       Review service intervals against actual hours and site conditions, including mud, sediment, water exposure and heavy loading.

·       Coordinate specialist electrical, machining and structural work rather than assigning tasks beyond workshop competence.

·       Check incoming parts against equipment specifications and track warranty claims or premature component failures.

·       Agree a controlled breakdown response arrangement, including communication, field access and transport of tools and personnel.

·       Hold maintenance reviews with operations and document the reasons for recurring downtime and overdue work.

 

 

Technical scope

Maintenance leadership across assigned fleet and plant. Coordinate specialist trades without treating mechanical seniority as electrical, structural or pressure-system certification.

Qualifications and experience

Advanced trade certificate, diploma or degree in Mechanical Engineering, Heavy Equipment Maintenance or a related discipline. Normally at least seven years of maintenance experience, including three years supervising mining, construction or comparable heavy equipment maintenance. Strong diesel, hydraulic, maintenance planning and workshop management competence.

Desirable  Computerised maintenance system experience; manufacturer training; experience establishing a workshop or critical spares programme.

Core competencies

Technical leadership, prioritisation, coaching, cost control and disciplined decisions on equipment fitness for service.

Performance measures

Fleet and plant availability; preventive maintenance completion; breakdown frequency and repeat defects; maintenance cost against budget; backlog control; quality of equipment release and maintenance documentation. Targets will be agreed against site baselines; production or cost results must be assessed alongside safe practices and reliable reporting.

Principal records and deliverables

Preventive maintenance programme; weekly backlog and availability report; cost and spares review; major failure investigation records.

Authority and accountability

Allocate maintenance work and recommend equipment withdrawal or release through approved procedures. Purchase within delegated limits only. Electrical design and specialised testing remain with competent authorised personnel.

Working conditions and common obligations

Site-based work may involve heat, rain, uneven ground, noise, dust and proximity to operating machinery. Follow approved procedures, use required protective equipment and report hazards promptly. Protect company assets and confidential information; treat colleagues and host communities respectfully. Other assigned duties must be reasonable and consistent with competence. Hours, roster, remuneration and benefits are set out in the employment contract.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates may apply for this vacancy using any of the following methods:

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Option 4: Apply by Email

Alternatively, send your updated CV or résumé to career@gurushrconsultancy.com, copying the following email addresses:

elizabeth.pyne@gurushrconsultancy.com

yamah.menhmu@gurushrconsultancy.com

admin@gurushrconsultancy.com

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