Building Maintenance Supervisor

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Building Maintenance Supervisor in the

Building Maintenance Supervisor

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for Building Maintenance Supervisor in the Facilities Management and Security Services Portfolio. The incumbent will supervise and coordinate day-to-day facilities maintenance operations, ensuring buildings, plant, equipment, and infrastructure are maintained in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective condition. The role ensures compliance with statutory requirements, service level agreements, and organisational standards while leading maintenance teams and contractors to deliver high-quality facilities services. This position is based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape but it is also responsible for the Rosebank site, and therefore, the incumbent would be required to travel to Rosebank Campus from time to time.

This position reports to the Regional Site Support Manager

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance Operations

Provide building maintenance services at the designated site through repairs, installations, and upkeep across electrical, mechanical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and structural systems.
Perform maintenance and repair on site infrastructure including electrical reticulation such as Low Voltage (LV) Networks, Medium Voltage (MV) Networks, High Voltage (HV) Networks, switches, transformers, power circuit breakers, cables, plumbing systems, HVAC equipment, lifts, fire safety systems, and other essential building services.
Initiate, plan, and manage maintenance projects at the site from conception to completion, ensuring alignment with local operational needs, budgetary constraints, and compliance with safety and building regulations.
Schedule and assign job cards to direct reports to ensure timeous execution of tasks and adherence to Service Level Agreement (SLA) timelines.
Verify and sign off completed works to confirm quality, compliance, and completion against job card requirements.
Ensure timely response to breakdowns and emergencies.
Monitor maintenance backlogs and prioritise work orders.
Conduct routine inspections to identify defects, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Ensure maintenance records are accurately captured in the CMMS / job card system.
Perform operational switching and isolation of building systems (electrical, HVAC, water supply) to safely de-energise equipment, transfer loads, or conduct repairs.
Prepare and deliver deficiency reports and direct preventative maintenance requirements across all building systems to ensure reliability and safety.
Plan, cost, and execute new installations or upgrades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural modifications) as per client or site requirements.
Plan, cost, and execute new installations or upgrades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural modifications) as per client or site requirements.
Expected to perform stand by duties for 2 weeks per month.

Contractor and Service Provider Management

Supervise on-site contractors performing maintenance and repair work.
Ensure contractor compliance with safety, quality, and site rules.
Verify work completion before authorising payments.
Support procurement of goods and services by preparing scopes of work and technical inputs.
Ensure transparency and accountability in contractor oversight.
Prevent unauthorised engineering or construction modifications

Facilities Management Support

Support space, asset, and infrastructure management activities.
Assist with condition assessments and asset lifecycle planning.
Contribute to budgeting and forecasting for maintenance expenditure.
Support energy, water, and utilities monitoring initiatives.

Procurement & Compliance Responsibilities

Prepare technical specifications for maintenance-related goods, services, and projects to ensure clarity, compliance with South African National Standards (SANS), and alignment with site requirements.
Participate in procurement processes by providing technical input, evaluating supplier proposals, and ensuring that selected contractors or service providers meet operational and compliance standards.
Serve on tender committees as a technical representative, contributing to bid evaluations, adjudication processes, and recommendations in line with organizational procurement policies and legislative requirements.
Ensure procurement compliance with organisational policies, Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and other relevant procurement regulations.
Monitor supplier and contractor performance against specifications, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and project deliverables, recommending corrective actions where necessary.
Procure goods and services related to site maintenance needs, including tools, spare parts, and contractor services, while ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with procurement policies.
Uphold organisational governance and public-sector procurement controls.
Support cost-effectiveness and efficiency initiatives by identifying opportunities for improved procurement practices, resource optimisation, and sustainable sourcing.
Maintain maintenance documentation suitable for PFMA-compliant audit trails.
Ensure verification of completed works before authorising payments.

Compliance with Environment, Health and Safety Standards and legislations

Ensure that all maintenance activities and contractor works comply with applicable South African legislation, regulations, and technical standards, including but not limited to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and its Regulations, with ECSA Guidelines on Professional Responsibility and Engineering Work, SANS and Built Environment Standards and Statutory Certification and Inspection Oversight.
Plan, direct, and record periodic testing and inspections of building systems (electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, lifts, fire safety, and structural components), recommending or initiating modification or replacement of equipment which fails to meet acceptable operating standards and efficiency initiatives.
Inspect and evaluate the condition of building equipment and infrastructure, including electrical networks, HVAC systems, plumbing, lifts, and fire safety installations, and recommend corrective action. Implement repairs or revisions, including reviewing and recommending design modifications to improve safety, reliability, and sustainability.
Ensure all installations, repairs, and maintenance activities are performed in accordance with South African National Standards (SANS) codes, relevant building regulations, and organizational safety policies.
Conduct health and risk assessments to identify hazards, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.
Provide a safe working environment for staff, contractors, and clients by enforcing safe work practices, implementing safety protocols, and ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Carry out task observations to monitor staff performance, verify adherence to safety procedures, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Maintain accurate records and reports of inspections, corrective actions, and compliance audits to demonstrate adherence to statutory requirements and organisational standards.
Identify infrastructure related SHE risks and escalate for mitigation.
Support internal and external audits (OHSACT, engineering, financial, AGSA).
Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and engineering integrity.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Engage building users to understand service issues.
Provide progress updates on maintenance requests.
Promote a customer-service-oriented facilities environment.
Receive, handle and solve internal and external customer complaints in effective and efficient manner.
Redirect customer complaints where necessary to the relevant CSIR departments or staff members for speedy resolution.
Ensure liaison and maintain good relationships with stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Lead and supervise artisans, technicians, handyman and general workers.
Allocate daily tasks and monitor performance.
Mentor, coach, guide and train direct reports whilst providing timeous performance feedback.
Foster a culture of accountability, service excellence, and teamwork.
Conduct performance management e.g. contracting and reviews for all staff at the recommended periods.
Recommend and draw up developmental plans to encourage further studies and growth.

Reporting and Administration

Compile maintenance reports, KPI dashboards, and compliance records.
Track spare parts, tools, and materials usage.
Track staff productivity and time management.
Support audits and management reviews.
Manage fleet assigned to the team.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

National Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Building Services with at least 5 - 7 years' experience in building maintenance, covering electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, lifts, and fire safety systems.
All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
At least 3-5 years in a supervisory or team leader role, managing maintenance staff, assigning job cards, and ensuring adherence to Service Level Agreement (SLA) timelines
Be available and prepared to perform stand by duties
Engineering / Facilities Management Degree would be advantageous
Valid Red Seal Electrical Qualification
Proven ability to perform repairs, installations, and preventative maintenance.
Demonstrated experience in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) compliance, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring statutory adherence.
Familiarity with South African National Standards (SANS) codes and building regulations.
Proven track record of managing multiple projects within budget and deadlines
Trade tests (Electrical / Mechanical)
Wireman's Licence
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training or equivalent.
Valid Driver's License.
Planning and Organising
Financial Acumen
Verbal and written communication
Verbal comprehension
Teamwork
Reasoning (Logical thinking)

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

Learning and development opportunities.
Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date: 16 June 2026

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at ***email_hidden***

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant¿s educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.