Job description
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT @ ILLOVO SUGAR (MALAWI) PLC
POSITION: MECHANICAL ENGINEER – BACK-END
Location: Dwangwa
OVERVIEW
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the position of Mechanical Engineer – Back-End, based in Dwangwa under the Manufacturing unit.
The successful candidate will provide mechanical engineering support to factory operations, maintenance and capital projects, ensuring optimal equipment performance, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure optimal performance of all mechanical equipment.
- Provide engineering support to the Factory team on seasonal equipment settings, including boilers, mill settings and centrifugal cycle optimisation.
- Provide mechanical engineering support to the Maintenance Head on repairs to critical equipment and abnormal projects.
- Provide mechanical engineering support to the Project Engineer and Optimisation Head, including managing and overseeing on-site projects.
- Manage and oversee all mechanical work on abnormal projects during the off-crop period.
- Develop seasonal and off-crop mechanical budgets with the Maintenance Head, Finance Business Partner and Optimisation team, and manage the budgets.
- Collaborate with the Reliability Engineer to identify reliability improvements through design modifications and reliability improvement strategies.
- Drive maintenance improvements to optimise the efficiency and output of all mechanical equipment.
- Provide engineering support for specifications and plant modifications.
- Audit and analyse maintenance systems and processes to identify engineering-related inefficiencies.
- Address production losses caused by inefficient engineering systems through critical analysis and performance optimisation.
- Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to HSE, Food Safety and Quality (FSQ), Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must possess:
- A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent qualification.
- At least three (3) years of experience in a manufacturing environment. Experience in heavy industry will be an advantage.
- Knowledge and experience in continuous improvement.
- Experience managing large-scale maintenance planning using SAP 4HANA.
- Professional registration with the Malawi Engineering Institution will be an added advantage.
MODE OF APPLICATION
Applications should include:
- An application letter.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Copies of relevant certificates.
- Details of traceable referees.
- A copy of National ID.
Applications should be addressed to:
The Site People and Performance Head
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc
P.O. Box 46
Dwangwa, Malawi.
Email: DwangwaCorporateMail@illovo.co.za
CLOSING DATE: 20TH NOVEMBER 2026
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Applicants should clearly indicate the position they are applying for.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
- Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.
"SUGAR IS OUR BUSINESS BUT PEOPLE ARE OUR SWEETEST ASSETS."
THRIVING COMMUNITIES