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Repairs & Maintenance Manager

Solid'Africa

Solid’Africa is a Rwandan social enterprise founded in 2010 whose primary goal is to provide meals to low-income patients in public hospitals as food is not covered by public health insurance. We currently feed 1235 patients every day with three medically-tailored meals. The distribution of food on such a large scale is made possible through our farm to fork approach:

  • Farm 84% of the produce we need on land awarded by the government.
  • Design medically-tailored meals with nutritionists and cook meals in our industrial kitchen. 
  • Distribute food directly to patients in 8 public hospitals in Kigali.
  • Food waste from the kitchen and leftovers from hospitals are used on our farms to grow organic produce.
Sector
Public health
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Position: Repairs & Maintenance Manager

Location: MSGK Kitchens, Solid’Africa CBC

Job Summary:The Repairs & Maintenance Manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair of Solid’Africa’s large-scale catering facility, ensuring that all kitchen equipment, utilities, and infrastructure function efficiently. This role involves leading a team of technicians, developing preventive maintenance programs, managing compliance with safety, food hygiene, and industry regulations, and optimizing facility operations to ensure seamless food production.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and oversee a preventive maintenance program for all kitchen equipment, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, gas installations, security systems, and structural facilities.
  • Create a scheduled maintenance calendar to minimize downtime and ensure operational efficiency.
  • Conduct regular inspections, audits, and maintenance assessments to identify risks and prevent breakdowns.
  • Lead and supervise a team of maintenance technicians, ensuring proper task allocation and on-time execution of maintenance work.
  • Establish an equipment life-cycle plan to guide procurement, service, and replacements.
  • Ensure all kitchen machinery and utilities (industrial ovens, walk-in refrigerators, freezers, food processors, mixers, gas burners, dishwashers, water filtration systems, boilers, exhaust ventilation systems, etc.) are fully functional and well-maintained.
  • Oversee and coordinate repairs, servicing, and installations of critical infrastructure, including power supply, gas systems, wastewater treatment, and fire safety equipment.
  • Maintain accurate maintenance logs, service records, energy consumption records, and spare parts inventory to track facility performance.
  • Ensure all facility modifications and upgrades align with regulatory requirements and sustainability best practices.
  • Respond swiftly to urgent maintenance issues to minimize disruptions to food production.
  • Investigate the root causes of recurring equipment failures and implement long-term solutions.
  • Develop and implement contingency plans for power outages, water supply failures, and other unexpected disruptions.
  • Coordinate with external contractors, suppliers, and service providers for specialized repairs and equipment servicing.
  • Supervise and mentor the maintenance team, ensuring high performance, skills development, and professional growth.
  • Develop and implement training programs on equipment handling, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety protocols.
  • Ensure maintenance staff adhere to operational standards, efficiency practices, and safety guidelines always.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the maintenance department.
  • Ensure all maintenance activities comply with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including HACCP, OSHA, and environmental policies.
  • Implement and enforce workplace safety procedures to prevent accidents, injuries, and equipment-related hazards.
  • Conduct risk assessments and ensure all safety equipment (fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, ventilation, etc.) is fully operational.
  • Keep up to date with industry best practices, sustainability trends, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and safety.
  • Develop and manage the maintenance department budget, optimizing costs without compromising quality.
  • Identify opportunities for cost savings through energy efficiency, waste reduction, and strategic procurement.
  • Evaluate and negotiate service contracts with vendors, ensuring cost-effective maintenance solutions.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facility Management, or a related field.
  • Minimum 7 years of experience in maintenance management, preferably in a large-scale catering facility, food production plant, or hotel environment.
  • Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen equipment maintenance, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and gas installations.
  • Proven experience in managing technical teams and overseeing large-scale facility operations.
  • Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems) and maintenance scheduling software.
  • Familiarity with OSHA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety/hygiene regulations.
  • Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple maintenance tasks, and meet deadlines.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.

Key Competencies:

  • Technical expertise in facility maintenance, engineering, and equipment troubleshooting.
  • Leadership & team management skills to effectively supervise and develop maintenance staff.
  • Attention to detail to ensure compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.
  • Proactive mindset to anticipate maintenance issues and implement preventive measures.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills to collaborate with operations and senior management

APPLICATION GUIDELINES: Interested and qualified candidates should submit 1page Cover letter, and updated CV (maximum three pages) and names, title and contacts of three professional referees, to include most recent or current employer/supervisor (all in/as one document) - via email only to: hr@solidafrica.org with the POSITION applied for clearly indicated in the subject line. The deadline for submission of applications is October 5th 2026, at 16:00hrs. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Solid’Africa is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to, religion, gender, age, physical disability.

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