Engineering Manager (Mechanical) - Agrochemical Formulation Plant at Saro Agrosciences Limited

Location: Magboro, Ogun

Job Summary

• The Engineering Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all engineering, utilities, and maintenance functions in the crop protection manufacturing plant.
• The role ensures that production, formulation, and packaging lines for agro-chemicals operate efficiently, safely, and in compliance with statutory, environmental, and quality standards.
• This includes leading preventive and corrective maintenance, utilities optimization, engineering projects, equipment reliability, and energy management while supporting business growth and sustainability objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Plant Maintenance and Reliability:

• Lead and supervise preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance across formulation plants, powder lines, liquid lines, packaging machines, and warehousing equipment (e.g., forklifts, conveyors).
• Ensure minimal downtime through structured maintenance planning and quick turnaround of breakdowns.
• Investigate and analyse the reason for equipment breakdown. Manage day to day maintenance/ breakdown and operational activities.
• Troubleshooting and monitoring plant performance
• Ability to maintain and manage process line and pumps.
• Establish and monitor KPIs such as MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), MTTR (Mean Time To Repair), OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

Utilities and Facilities Management:

• Oversee availability and efficiency of critical utilities: boilers, compressors, chillers, HVAC, water treatment plants, effluent treatment plant (ETP), power generators, electrical systems, and process water.
• Drive energy optimization initiatives to reduce fuel and electricity costs.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations for emissions, wastewater, and waste disposal.

Projects and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX):

• Manage design, installation, commissioning, and handover of new machinery, automation, and facility upgrades.
• Develop annual engineering budgets and monitor CAPEX/OPEX.
• Work with vendors, contractors, and OEMs to deliver projects within scope, time, and cost.

Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Compliance:

• Ensure engineering operations comply with Nigerian regulatory frameworks (e.g., FEPA, NESREA, DPR, SON, etc) and international standards (ISO 45001, ISO 14001).
• Enforce strict safety procedures in chemical handling, equipment maintenance, and confined space activities.
• Collaborate with HSE to conduct risk assessments, HAZOPs, and ensure safety-critical equipment is functioning.

People Management:

• Lead, coach, and develop engineering supervisors, technicians, and operators.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and HR.
• Build a performance-driven culture with accountability for cost, safety, and efficiency.

Inventory, Vendors and Cost control:

• Oversee spare parts and engineering inventory management, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising plant availability.
• Negotiate and manage service contracts with third-party vendors (mechanical, electrical, calibration, fabrication).
• Maintain accurate documentation, equipment history, and statutory certification records.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Implement TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Lean Manufacturing, and Kaizen initiatives to improve reliability and reduce costs.
• Drive adoption of digital tools for maintenance scheduling, monitoring, and reporting.
• Recommend engineering solutions to support new formulations, packaging formats, and process improvements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. (An MSc/MBA would be an added advantage)
• 8 - 10 years engineering / maintenance experience in FMCG, agrochemical, chemical, or related process industries; at least 4 years in a managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of chemical plant operations, utilities, and packaging lines.
• Proven experience in managing CAPEX projects, automation, and vendor relations.
• Excellent knowledge of Nigerian labour, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Excellent planning and scheduling skills.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
• High proficiency in MS Office and CMMS software.
• Proven track record of leading teams and improving operational performance.
• Age Requirement: 35 – 45 Years

Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and decision-making.
• Proficiency in production software and ERP systems.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Vendor and stakeholder management.