Facilities & Asset Line Manager

Listing reference: grind_000658
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 24 April 2026
Position summary
Industry: Freight, Import & Export
Job category: Transport, Logistics and Freight
Location: Durban
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: No
Introduction
The Assets and Facilities Line Manager is responsible for overseeing, maintaining, and optimizing all Grindrod-owned and leased facilities, infrastructure, and physical assets to ensure they support safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operational performance, providing support across the operational sites in Durban. The role provides strategic and operational leadership in the planning, budgeting, maintenance, compliance, and lifecycle management of facilities and equipment across the business. This position ensures that all buildings, plant, machinery, utilities, and related infrastructure meet operational requirements, legal standards, and company policies, while driving continuous improvement in asset reliability, energy efficiency, and cost control. The role works closely with Operations, Health & Safety, Finance, and external service providers to ensure seamless facility management and maximum asset availability to support business productivity and growth.
Job description

Key Responsibilities
BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE  
  • Establishes and oversee preventative maintenance programs for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, vertical transport systems, generators, and other essential infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime.
  • Leads routine inspections and condition assessments of building structures and interiors, ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations and identifying remedial actions for any deficiencies.
  • Maintain and uplift facilities, warehouses and infrastructure, including warehouses, yards, pavements, foundations, roofs, drainage, fencing, lighting, and security installations.
  • Proactively manage age-related deterioration such as corrosion, concrete spalling, settlement, water ingress, and fatigue damage
  • Implements robust monitoring frameworks and reporting protocols to enable early detection of facility-related issues, driving prompt, and cost-efficient resolution strategies.
  • Develops practical facilities improvement plans aligned with organizational goals and budgetary frameworks and presents proposals to senior leadership for future development initiatives.
  • Maintain safe traffic management and segregation between pedestrians, trucks, reach stackers, and forklifts.
UTILITIES MANAGEMENT 
  • Leads analysis of utility consumption trends (electricity and water) to identify inefficiencies, mitigate operational risks, and drive strategic cost-saving initiatives in alignment with corporate sustainability goals.
  • Prepares and delivers insightful reports for executive leadership and other stakeholders, providing data-driven recommendations and performance metrics.
  • Manages and evaluates third-party utility service contracts, ensuring compliance, service quality, and cost-effectiveness in support of operational continuity.
  • Researches, assesses, and advocates for innovative technologies and practices that reduce resource usage and utility expenses, contributing to environmental and financial stewardship.
  • Develops and oversees contingency planning frameworks, including backup systems and alternative energy solutions to address challenges such as power disruptions and load shedding.
ASSET AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
  • Maintains accuracy of the fixed asset register, ensuring alignment with financial and operational records across business units.
  • Take accountability for maintenance and availability of assets, both internally and through OEMs, including:
    Reach stackers (structures, hydraulics, engines, transmissions, tyres, spreaders, safety systems)
    Forklifts (electric and diesel – masts, hydraulics, batteries, chargers, engines, tyres, safety devices)
    Weighbridges (load cells, indicators, foundations, software, calibration systems)
    Trucks and trailers
  • Oversees the tracking and reconciliation of asset movements, including interdepartmental transfers and disposals, to ensure compliance with internal control policies.
  • Ensures systematic tagging and clear identification protocols for all physical assets, supporting audit readiness and operational efficiency.
  • Implements and monitors asset protection strategies, mitigating risk of loss, theft, or misuse through robust control mechanisms. This includes managing of breakdowns, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
  • Collaborates with procurement and finance teams to coordinate cost-effective and timely asset acquisitions aligned with business needs and budgetary targets.
 
SAFETY, COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 
  • Oversees adherence to workplace safety protocols, ensuring all operations comply with regulatory standards and internal health & safety procedures.
  • Leads systematic safety audits and facility inspections, proactively identifying risks and driving corrective action to maintain a hazard-free environment.
  • Optimizes ESG reporting systems to support Grindrod’s continued inclusion in the JSE Social Responsibility Index (SRI), enhancing transparency and data integrity. Practical examples being to track carbon emissions and water usage.
  • Maintains active awareness of Grindrod’s environmental initiatives, aligning departmental activities with broader sustainability goals and stakeholder expectations.
  • Ensures comprehensive environmental plans and compliance reporting are implemented across all owned and leased sites, in accordance with legal and corporate requirements.
  • Evaluates and champions resource-saving technologies and practices, driving down utility costs and usage while reinforcing Grindrod’s commitment to responsible resource management.
  • Support incident investigations and corrective actions.
  • Maintain statutory registers and ensure audit readiness, and communicate asset risks, condition, and plans clearly to management.
COST MANAGEMENT, CONTRACTOR AND SERVICE PROVIDER MANAGEMENT
  • In line with Grindrod procurement policies, source, appoint, and manage contractors for mobile equipment maintenance, civil, electrical, and building works.
  • Accurately develop detailed scope of work documents to go to service providers with, and be able to evaluate quotes/submissions, comparing and highlighting differences in service offering, quality, price and delivery times. Summarise these and present to management for decision making.
  • Define scopes of work, negotiate rates, manage SLAs, and supervise quality and safety.
  • Control contractor safety files, permits to work, and method statements.
  • Own and manage the facilities and facilities maintenance budget, working closely with finance and operations.
  • Make repair-versus-replace decisions using lifecycle cost principles and share with seniors for informed decision making.
LEASE ADMINISTRATION
  • Oversees the biannual review and update of lease schedules, ensuring contractual compliance and accurate reporting across the property portfolio.
  • Maintains a comprehensive repository of visual and supporting documentation for all owned and leased properties, minimizing reinstatement liabilities at lease termination.
  • Leads the annual auditing process for all property assets, compiling and submitting detailed reports in accordance with corporate standards and legal requirements.
  • Ensures lease exits are efficiently managed, coordinating property handovers in optimal condition to reduce reinstatement expenses and maintain strong landlord relations.
  • Identifies and assesses opportunities for resource optimization, exploring and implementing devices or practices that reduce utility consumption and associated costs.
  • Supports the finance department with financial summaries of rental income, cost recoveries, and other relevant data to support annual property valuation processes.
COMMUNICATION 
  • Optimizes space utilization across all building premises, aligning spatial planning with operational requirements to enhance efficiency.
  • Develops and sustains professional relationships with supervisors and stakeholders, fostering open communication and mutual collaboration to support a productive environment.
  • Conducts regular engagement sessions with supervisors and stakeholders, proactively addressing concerns.
  • Oversees the strategic coordination of core building services, including electricity, water, parking, reception, security, maintenance, cleaning, and waste management, ensuring minimal disruption and high service standards.
  • Leads emergency response protocols and resolution strategies, managing urgent facilities issues promptly and effectively.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Monitors and assesses staff performance, setting clear quality benchmarks and implementing continuous improvement strategies.
  • Designs and oversees training initiatives, ensuring personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for consistent, high-quality output.
 
 
JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
  • Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, leveraging tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Teams for efficient communication, data analysis, and presentation of strategic reports.
  • Develops, manages, and optimizes maintenance budgets, balancing cost-efficiency with safety and regulatory compliance while maintaining service excellence in support of operations.
  • Directs the planning and implementation of facility repairs/upgrades and infrastructure projects, ensuring successful delivery within approved scope, timelines, and financial constraints.
  • Scrutinise costs of services and weigh up cost-benefit analysis on conducting work internally, or outsourcing. In this regard, ensure the local team are equipped and capable of handling minor facility repair work at sites.
  • Ability to vet and manage contractors and hold contractors accountable to work requirements. 
  • Accurately develop detailed scope of work documents to go to service providers with, and be able to evaluate quotes/submissions, comparing and highlighting differences in service offering, quality, price and delivery times. Summarise these and present to management for decision making.
  • Keep detailed records of purchase orders progress, and purchase requisitions issued.
  • Provides subject-matter expertise on critical infrastructure systems, including industrial machinery, electrical networks, plumbing frameworks, and building management systems tailored to terminal operations.
  • Exemplifies strong communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities, producing high-quality reports and coordinating effectively across internal teams and external suppliers.

Minimum requirements

  • Minimum Qualification:
  • Grade 12
  • National Diploma in Engineering or Facilities Management or relevant trade is a minimum, if paired with strong experience.
  • Asset Management certification is advantageous (e.g., SAAMA, IAM, ISO 55001 training).
  • Maintenance Management qualification or asset system certification beneficial.
  • Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) training is advantageous (SAMTRAC, NEBOSH, NOSA).
 
Required Experience 
  • 5–7 years of facilities, engineering, or asset management experience, ideally within: Logistics/terminals
  • Ports, shipping, maritime Industrial, warehousing, or manufacturing environments
  • 3 years in a supervisory or managerial capacity, leading technical staff or contractors.
Demonstrated experience in: 
  • Managing facilities operations (buildings, utilities, infrastructure)
  • Maintenance planning and execution for plant and equipment
  • Asset lifecycle management and asset register controls
  • Budgeting and cost control for facilities and capital expenditure
  • Contractor and service-provider management
  • Compliance with building regulations, SHEQ requirements, and statutory regulations
  • Experience with asset management systems (e.g., SAP) is advantageous.
  • Proven ability to manage preventive & predictive maintenance programmes.
  • Experience in project management (facility upgrades, refurbishments, or infrastructure projects).

Additional Competencies:
 
  • Strong understanding of asset management principles.
  • Knowledge of OHSA, fire regulations, environmental standards, and permit system Ability to interpret engineering drawings and maintenance reports.
  • High competence in risk management, root cause analysis, and incident prevention.

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