Process Technician (PLC & SCADA) - Timber/Forestry
Recruitment Web South Africa · Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Overview
A well established timber and forestry company in Mthatha is looking for a skilled Process Technician with strong PLC and SCADA experience. If you have a trade test as an electrician or millwright and at least 7 years in a similar role, this is your chance to join a dynamic team. You will handle electrical instrumentation, automation, and drive equipment maintenance, with standby duty required. The package includes a negotiable salary, benefits, and company housing.
About the role
This role is based in Mthatha and focuses on keeping the plant's electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems running smoothly. You will work closely with production teams to maintain and improve process control systems, ensuring everything operates safely and efficiently.
What you can expect to do:
- Maintain electrical instrumentation and software programs.
- Fault find and repair automation and drive equipment.
- Update base documentation like manuals, P&ID, and instrumentation drawings.
- Help develop operating envelopes and update operating procedures.
- Maintain OHASA standards and keep the plant clean and safe.
- Report any health and safety hazards to your team leader.
- Perform after hour standby duty when required.
Important application note: This is a specialised role that requires extensive knowledge of chipboard manufacturing environments. Only apply if you meet the experience and qualification requirements.
Requirements
- Grade 12
- Trade test as an electrician or millwright
- N5 or S4 diploma
- 7 years experience in a similar position
- Extensive knowledge and experience in a chipboard manufacturing environment
- PLC knowledge (Allen Bradley and Siemens)
- SCADA knowledge
- Strong frequency drive knowledge (Allen Bradley and Sew)
- Good instrumentation knowledge
- Good understanding of processes
- Strong problem solving skills
- Dynamic and innovative
- Ability to work in a team environment
Responsibilities
- Maintain all electrical instrumentation and software programs
- Fault finding and repair on automation and drive equipment
- Update base documentation including manuals, P&ID and instrumentation drawings
- Develop operating envelopes and assist production personnel with operating procedures
- Maintain OHASA standards and ensure high housekeeping levels
- Identify and report health and safety hazards to the team leader
- Perform after hour standby duty on the plant
Benefits
Negotiable salary, benefits, company housing
Job details
- Organisation
- Recruitment Web South Africa
- Location
- Mthatha, Eastern Cape
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Senior (7+ years)
- Education
- Diploma
- Category
- Manufacturing & Production
- Posted
- 4 November 2026 (3 days ago)
- Closing date
- 4 December 2026
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
This role is quite technical and specific to the timber and chipboard industry, so your application should highlight your hands on experience with PLCs, SCADA, and frequency drives. Make sure your CV clearly shows your trade test, your N5 or S4 diploma, and at least 7 years in a similar manufacturing environment. In an interview, be ready to talk through real fault finding examples and how you have maintained safety standards in a plant. Also, since standby duty is part of the job, show that you are reliable and comfortable working after hours when needed. Good luck!
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