Permanent - Quality Assurance and Trainer - Ekurhuleni (East Rand) - South Africa

Job Purpose:

A Quality Assessor for Material Handling Equipment (MHE) ensures that equipment like forklifts, mechanical pallet jacks, order pickers, etc are functional, and compliant with all quality standards. This involves a mix of inspections and documentation to identify defects, minimize risk, and improve overall operational efficiency. An MHE (Material Handling Equipment) Technician Trainer educates and certifies other technicians on the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of various equipment in said field. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, instructional skills, and a strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance.

Duties:

Conduct inspections and testing:

Perform detailed visual and operational inspections of MHE to identify any repair faults, defects and deviations from specifications.

Test performance: 

Run operational tests to ensure equipment functions reliably and safely under various conditions.

Ensure safety and compliance:

Verify that MHE complies with all relevant industry standards and safety regulations, such as those governing lifting equipment. This includes checking load test certifications on lifting gear.

Accept or reject items:

Based on inspection and test data, accept finished products that meet specifications and reject those that do not.

Document and report findings:

Create detailed and accurate inspection reports that summarize the test data or non conformance issues. This data is used for internal analysis and to communicate quality metrics to management and other stakeholders.

Monitor and improve processes:

Track quality trends over time by analysing test data to identify potential areas for process improvement. This can involve recommending adjustments to service and repair procedures to increase efficiency and reduce down time.

Training and development:

Conduct theoretical and hands-on training sessions for new and experienced MHE technicians. 

Create and update training materials, manuals, and technical documentation to reflect new equipment, technologies, and safety regulations. 

Evaluate technician skills and develop customized training plans to address specific needs or areas for improvement. 

Provide ongoing mentorship and technical guidance to technicians, both in-person and remotely, assisting with complex troubleshooting and repairs.

Technical expertise:

Teach technicians how to perform preventative, corrective, and breakdown maintenance on a wide range of MHE.

Instruct on the use of diagnostic tools and computer-based maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Demonstrate and explain the repair of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems within the equipment.

Safety and compliance:

Ensure all training programs and procedures adhere to OHS and company safety regulations and standards. 

Instil a strong safety culture by training technicians on the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safe work practices. 

Train technicians to perform safety inspections and identify potential hazards in the equipment or work environment.

Administration and reporting:

Track and report on training progress, certification completions, and technician performance.

Maintain accurate records of all maintenance and repair activities performed during training sessions.

Qualifications and Level of Experience Required:

Matric

Accredited MHE (Materials Handling Equipment) qualifications: Holding the required certifications for the specific material handling equipment to be taught. 

Prior experience:

Significant experience as a senior or lead MHE (Materials Handling Equipment) technician, with a demonstrated ability to train and mentor others.

Relevant certifications: While not always required, certifications in forklift or heavy equipment training can be a plus.

Essential skills and qualities:

Detail-oriented: A meticulous focus on detail is critical for spotting repair faults, flaws and deficiencies that could impact safety and performance.

Technical knowledge: Strong knowledge and understanding of MHE is necessary to perform effective inspections.

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are needed to provide constructive feedback, document findings, and report to management.

Team Leadership:

Mentoring: Mentor technicians and other team members on pre quality check processes internally and externally.

Continuous improvement: Work with service teams to address quality issues and identify opportunities for continuous improvement in operations and efficiency.

Documentation and strategy:

Reporting: Prepare and present weekly quality reports to management.

Archiving: Ensure safe keeping of all test results and data where necessary.

Strategic planning: Provide input on strategic initiatives aimed at achieving customer satisfaction and efficient use of resources.

Technical skills:

Strong mechanical and diagnostic skills: Expertise in diagnosing and repairing complex mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues. 

Proficiency with diagnostic tools: Knowledge of using diagnostic software, multi meters, and other testing equipment. 

System knowledge: In-depth understanding of the various systems within MHE (Materials Handling Equipment), including engines, electrical components, hydraulic circuits, and brakes.

Blueprint and schematic reading: The ability to interpret technical manuals, schematics, and blueprints.

Soft skills:

Exceptional communication: The ability to clearly and effectively teach and mentor a diverse group of technicians with varying skill levels. 

Patience and adaptability: The capacity to adapt training methods to different learning styles and remain patient during hands-on instruction.

Strong organizational skills: The ability to manage training schedules, curriculum, and administrative tasks efficiently.

Leadership: The capability to lead and inspire a team toward a common goal of excellence and safety.