Breakdown supervisor

Position Overview

The Breakdown Supervisor is responsible for overseeing emergency mechanical repairs, mobile maintenance, and field breakdown operations to minimize machinery downtime. This role leads a team of skilled technicians and mechanics to rapidly respond to equipment failures, ensure strict safety compliance, and maintain maximum operational uptime for heavy fleet and industrial machinery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Breakdown Response & Operations

• Manage, coordinate, and lead real-time response strategies for field and site machinery breakdowns.
• Conduct immediate technical diagnostics and root-cause analyses on failed heavy equipment.
• Prioritize repair tasks dynamically based on operational urgency, production impact, and resource availability.
• Oversee field repairs, troubleshooting, and emergency maintenance to restore equipment to safe working order efficiently.

2. Team Leadership & Supervision

• Direct, assign, and supervise daily activities of heavy-duty mechanics, field technicians, and support personnel.
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and hands-on assistance during complex mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical repairs.
• Monitor team performance, enforce workplace standards, and manage shift handovers and emergency on-call rosters.

3. Safety & Compliance

• Enforce strict Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Risk Assessments, and Job Safety Analyses (JSA).
• Ensure all field and workshop repair activities comply with site safety standards and legal regulations.
• Conduct regular safety toolboxes, job-site inspections, and incident investigations related to mechanical failures.

4. Inventory & Resource Management

• Coordinate with warehouse/procurement teams to ensure critical spare parts, specialized tools, and service vehicles are stocked and ready for rapid deployment.
• Authorize and track parts requests, work orders, and equipment service logs.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience:
• Minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role within fleet, mining, construction, or heavy industrial maintenance operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience as a qualified Heavy Duty Mechanic (HDM).
• Education & Trade Credentials:
• Advanced Certificate, Diploma, or Trade Qualification / Red Seal in Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Technical Skills:
• Expert knowledge of heavy equipment systems, including diesel engines, hydraulic systems, power-shift transmissions, auto-electrical troubleshooting, and diagnostics.
• Proficiency with electronic diagnostic tools and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Soft Skills & Licenses:
• Strong decision-making, crisis-management, and problem-solving abilities under high pressure.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Valid driver’s license (heavy vehicle endorsement preferred).