AEI Engineer

Standerton, Lekwa, ZA, Standerton

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered is Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 11,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

Company: COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Vacancy: AEI Engineer (Automation, Electrical & Instrumentation)

Location: Standerton, South Africa

Department: Maintenance

Job Purpose

The AEI Engineer is responsible for providing technical expertise and support for automation, electrical and instrumentation systems within the plant. The role ensures optimal plant performance, reliability and safety through effective maintenance, troubleshooting and continuous improvement of AEI systems. The incumbent will support plant operations by improving system availability, reducing downtime and driving engineering excellence in line with company and statutory requirements.

Key Performance Areas

Automation, Electrical & Instrumentation Support

• Provide technical support for automation, electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Troubleshoot system failures and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure optimal performance and reliability of plant equipment.
• Support operations teams with technical advice on plant issues.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Monitor critical instrumentation and ensure availability of spare parts.
• Support preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Maintain and update maintenance systems, including CMMS/SAP.
• Improve equipment reliability and reduce plant downtime.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement improvement projects to enhance plant performance.
• Support execution of shutdowns and maintenance activities.
• Participate in system upgrades and optimisation initiatives.
• Assist in developing and managing engineering projects.

Safety, Health & Compliance

• Ensure all work is conducted in compliance with SHE standards.
• Adhere to statutory and company regulations.
• Participate in risk assessments and safety initiatives.
• Ensure safe execution of all maintenance and project activities.

Documentation & Systems

• Maintain accurate records of maintenance and engineering activities.
• Ensure proper documentation of systems, procedures and changes.
• Provide reports on system performance and improvements.

Team Support & Supervision

• Supervise technicians and contractors when required.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching to maintenance teams.
• Collaborate with production, engineering and other departments.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Grade 12.

Bachelor’s Degree or B-Tech in in Electrical, Electronic or Instrumentation Engineering or in the process of completing a BTech/Degree in Electronic, Electrical, or Instrumentation Engineering

Minimum 5 years’ experience in automation, electrical and instrumentation engineering in FMCG or industrial plant environment.

Proven experience leading or supervising maintenance or project teams

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong knowledge of Siemens S7, PCS7 and TIA Portal systems.
• Experience with VSDs, soft starters and industrial instrumentation.
• Knowledge of CMMS/SAP systems and maintenance practices.
• Understanding of electrical standards, statutory requirements and safety regulations.
• Experience in shutdown planning and project implementation.
• Experience in troubleshooting, fault finding and root cause analysis in a plant environment.
• Practical understanding of plant reliability, maintenance systems and operational support requirements.

Essential Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot automation, electrical and instrumentation faults and implement corrective actions.
• Ability to plan, prioritise and execute maintenance and project activities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to provide technical guidance to operations and maintenance teams.
• High attention to detail and strong safety focus.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to breakdowns or urgent operational requirements.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production, engineering, maintenance, contractors and external service providers.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify and implement reliability and performance improvements.

SHL Sub-Competencies

SHL Sub-Competency

Reason for Selection

Applying Expertise and Technology

The role requires specialist automation, electrical and instrumentation knowledge, including Siemens S7, PCS7, TIA Portal, VSDs, instrumentation, CMMS/SAP and plant systems.

Analysing and Interpreting

The role requires analysing system failures, plant performance information, instrumentation trends and maintenance data to identify root causes and practical solutions.

Deciding and Initiating Action

The role requires timely technical decisions during breakdowns, shutdowns, safety-related issues and plant support situations where delays may affect production or reliability.

Planning and Organising

The role includes preventative and corrective maintenance support, shutdown planning, spare parts availability, project coordination and documentation of engineering activities.

Following Instructions and Procedures

The role must comply with SHE standards, statutory requirements, company regulations, engineering standards, maintenance procedures and change-control documentation.

Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations

The role supports production and maintenance teams by improving system availability, reducing downtime and ensuring reliable plant performance.

Presenting and Communicating Information

The role requires clear communication of technical issues, system performance, corrective actions and improvement recommendations to operations, engineering, maintenance teams and contractors.

Leading and Supervising

The role may supervise technicians and contractors, provide technical guidance and coach maintenance teams during maintenance, troubleshooting, shutdowns and project activities.

Technical Competencies

• Microsoft operating systems and standard desktop applications where required for reporting and documentation.
• Siemens S7, PCS7 and TIA Portal systems.
• VSDs, soft starters and industrial instrumentation.
• CMMS/SAP maintenance systems.
• Electrical standards, safety regulations and plant compliance requirements.
• Root cause analysis, troubleshooting and reliability improvement.
• Shutdown planning and engineering project implementation.

Working Conditions

• Plant-based role in an industrial environment.
• May be required to work overtime or be on standby.
• Must be able to respond to breakdowns and support operations on-site.

General

• Reports to Maintenance Manager.
• Salary and Benefits: Market related salary, Provident Fund and Medical Aid benefits.

CLOSING DATE: 12 JUNE 2026

How to apply

The company is offering a competitive salary with provident and medical benefits. Exciting incentive opportunities, a rewarding work environment, product and supply chain knowledge and career growth opportunities for the right candidate.

Interested parties should please submit a comprehensive CV and covering letter, outlining why you feel that you are best suited to the position on the COFCO Careers website https://www.cofcointernational.com/careers/ by searching for vacancies in South Africa, clicking on the listed positions available, and following the prompts when clicking “Apply” on the job description, and answering all related questions in full to complete your application.

Only applications submitted direct on the COFCO Careers website will be considered.

If you do not hear from us within 21 days from date of application, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be moved through the Talent Pipeline and contacted.

The company appoints in line with our employment equity plan and preference may be given to previously disadvantaged individuals.

By contacting COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd., you acknowledge and agree that COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd. has a legitimate business purpose to collect and process your personal information (as defined in Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 and any amendments thereto (“POPIA”)) to review your personal information and to comply with its legal obligations. COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd will process your personal information in accordance with POPIA and in accordance with and the purposes described in COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy available at https://www.cofcointernational.com/data-privacy-policy/ You hereby confirm that you have read, understood and agree with the terms of COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy, and consent to the processing of your personal information.

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.