Artisan Assistant Job at AFGRI Animal Feeds

by

Artisan Assistant Job at AFGRI Animal Feeds – Pietermaritzburg | Apply by 31 August 2026

AFGRI Animal Feeds is inviting applications for an Artisan Assistant position in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The successful candidate will assist a qualified artisan with the maintenance of machinery and equipment within the Animal Feeds business unit.

This is a permanent, skilled-level position suitable for candidates with Grade 12 and practical maintenance experience in a feed factory environment.

Artisan Assistant Vacancy Details

  • Company: AFGRI Animal Feeds
  • Job Title: Artisan Assistant
  • Reference Number: AO-2445
  • Location: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Employment Type: Permanent
  • Work Level: Skilled
  • Salary: Market Related
  • EE Position: Yes
  • Closing Date: 31 August 2026

About the Artisan Assistant Position

The Artisan Assistant will provide practical support to a qualified artisan responsible for maintaining machinery and equipment within the AFGRI Animal Feeds business.

The role involves assisting with maintenance work, identifying potential equipment problems, supporting repairs, maintaining tools and work areas, and ensuring that machinery remains available for production.

Because the position operates within an animal feeds environment, the successful candidate must also understand the importance of hygiene, food safety, bio-security and HACCP requirements.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Grade 12 or equivalent qualification.
  • At least 1 year of practical maintenance experience within a feed factory environment.
  • Mechanical and practical aptitude.
  • Basic mechanical knowledge.
  • Basic electrical knowledge.
  • Understanding of general maintenance practices.
  • Ability and willingness to work overtime when required.

Candidates should be comfortable performing hands-on maintenance-related duties and working around industrial machinery and equipment.

Key Performance Areas

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with various maintenance and operational duties, including:

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance

  • Assist the qualified artisan with maintenance activities.
  • Assist with maintaining machinery and equipment.
  • Help identify maintenance problems.
  • Provide recommendations regarding repairs or replacement of equipment where appropriate.
  • Assist in ensuring maximum machine availability.

Tools and Work Areas

  • Keep maintenance areas clean and hygienic.
  • Clean tools after use.
  • Store tools correctly.
  • Maintain an organised working environment.
  • Ensure that maintenance activities do not create unnecessary food safety risks.

Health and Safety

  • Follow all prescribed safe working procedures.
  • Wear the required PPE.
  • Report unsafe conditions.
  • Comply with workplace safety regulations.
  • Maintain a safety-conscious approach while performing maintenance duties.

Food Safety and Hygiene

Working in an animal feeds production environment means maintaining strict hygiene and food safety standards is essential.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

  • Monitor and help prevent food safety risks.
  • Maintain cleanliness in work areas.
  • Follow applicable cleaning programmes.
  • Participate in HACCP team activities.
  • Follow bio-security programmes.
  • Ensure maintenance tools and work areas are kept clean.

Technical Knowledge and Competencies

AFGRI is looking for a candidate with practical technical abilities, including:

  • General maintenance skills.
  • Hands-on building maintenance abilities.
  • Mechanical knowledge.
  • Electrical knowledge.
  • Understanding of machinery maintenance.
  • Practical problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work with tools and equipment.

Behavioural Competencies

The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following qualities:

Hardworking: Willing to perform assigned duties and work overtime when required.

Mechanically inclined: Comfortable working with machinery, tools and maintenance equipment.

Positive attitude: Approaches work and challenges constructively.

Proactive: Able to think ahead and identify potential maintenance problems.

Problem-solving skills: Able to assist in finding practical solutions to maintenance issues.

Reliable: Consistently performs duties responsibly and according to required standards.

Safety conscious: Understands the importance of workplace safety, PPE and reporting unsafe conditions.

Who Can Apply?

This opportunity is suitable for candidates who have Grade 12 and at least one year of practical maintenance experience in a feed factory environment.

Applicants with hands-on mechanical and electrical knowledge, general maintenance experience and a strong practical aptitude may be well suited to this Artisan Assistant position.

Candidates should also be prepared to work in an industrial animal feeds environment where machinery maintenance, workplace safety, hygiene, HACCP and food safety are important parts of the job.

Why This Opportunity May Suit You

The AFGRI Artisan Assistant vacancy may be particularly relevant to candidates looking to build or strengthen their experience in:

  • Industrial maintenance
  • Mechanical maintenance
  • Electrical maintenance
  • Factory machinery maintenance
  • Animal feeds production
  • Artisan support
  • Manufacturing environments
  • General equipment maintenance

The position offers candidates who meet the requirements an opportunity to work alongside a qualified artisan while supporting the maintenance and availability of machinery within the AFGRI Animal Feeds business.

Important Application Information

AFGRI states that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. Applicants who have not heard from the company within 30 days after the closing date may assume that their applications have been unsuccessful.

The filling of the position will be aligned with AFGRI’s Employment Equity Policy.

Applicants are also informed that AFGRI will need to process their personal information when considering employment applications. This processing is governed by the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

How to Apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit their application through the official AFGRI recruitment platform.

When applying, ensure that your application clearly demonstrates that you meet the stated minimum requirements, particularly:

  • Grade 12 qualification
  • At least 1 year of practical maintenance experience in a feed factory environment
  • Mechanical and electrical knowledge
  • General maintenance experience

Reference Number: AO-2445

Closing Date: 31 August 2026

Apply Here