Head of Mechanics – Moving Plant Equipment - Nigeria (Expat role)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Head of Mechanics to oversee all mechanical servicing, maintenance, and repair of moving plant equipment. This senior role is responsible for ensuring plant availability, reliability, safety, and compliance while leading and developing a team of mechanics.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Mechanical Engineer or Diesel Mechanic with strong leadership experience in heavy plant, earthmoving, or mobile equipment environments.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical & Plant Management

• Oversee all servicing, maintenance, and repair of moving plant and mechanical equipment
• Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules
• Diagnose complex mechanical faults and oversee major repairs and rebuilds
• Ensure maximum equipment uptime and operational efficiency
• Manage breakdowns and emergency repairs with minimal operational disruption

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of mechanics and technicians
• Allocate work, set priorities, and manage workloads effectively
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support where required
• Conduct performance reviews and identify training and development needs

Compliance, Safety & Standards

• Ensure all equipment complies with safety regulations and industry standards
• Enforce health and safety procedures within the workshop and on-site
• Maintain accurate service records, inspections, and compliance documentation

Planning, Budgeting & Procurement

• Manage maintenance budgets and control costs
• Source parts, tools, and external service providers where required
• Work closely with operations and management to plan servicing around production schedules

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve maintenance processes and equipment reliability
• Implement systems to reduce downtime and extend equipment lifespan

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified Mechanical Engineer or Diesel Mechanic (Trade Tested)
• Minimum 5–10 years’ experience working with moving plant heavy equipment
• Proven experience in a supervisory or management role
• Strong mechanical diagnostic and problem-solving skills
• Solid understanding of preventative maintenance systems
• Valid driver’s licence

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Excellent planning and organisational ability
• High attention to detail and safety awareness
• Ability to work under pressure and manage urgent breakdowns
• Strong communication and decision-making skills