Engineering Trainee – Factory Operations at Sucafina

What are we looking for:

• We are looking for entrepreneurs, techies, passionate, eager to learn, humble, with a positive attitude and a high level of integrity People. Flexible and willing to take challenges, work and live in coffee-producing countries, People who want to build expertise and a career in the coffee business and are ready to go the extra mile.

What we offer:

• We offer within our pleasant family environment, great opportunities to learn and grow, we offer challenges and exposure to multicultural environments, on-merit base compensation, and free coffee around the clock!

Job Description

• The Engineering Trainee – Factory Operations is a development position designed to prepare the successful candidate to take on the role of Factory Supervisor, subject to demonstrated competence and performance.
• The trainee will receive practical exposure and training in factory production, machinery and maintenance, warehouse coordination, quality, HSE, labor management and factory reporting.
• The role will initially focus on learning and supporting factory operations, with responsibility progressively increasing as the trainee develops the technical, operational and leadership skills required to independently supervise the factory.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Production & Factory Operations

• Learn and understand the complete coffee processing flow, including pre-cleaning, grading, bulking and color sorting.
• Assist in coordinating daily factory processing activities to achieve production targets.
• Learn and correctly execute Processing Instructions (PIs), ensuring the correct coffee lots are processed to the required standards.
• Monitor machine performance, processing parameters and production output.
• Identify production bottlenecks, delays and operational inefficiencies and report them to the Factory Supervisor/Plant Manager.
• Progressively take responsibility for selected production areas and shifts.

Engineering & Machine Maintenance

• Develop a strong practical understanding of the mechanical and electrical systems used in the factory.
• Participate in preventive and corrective maintenance of production machinery and utilities.
• Assist in troubleshooting mechanical and electrical faults and carrying out routine adjustments and repairs.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections and identify abnormal conditions such as overheating, vibration, leakage or unusual noise.
• Learn machine settings and operating parameters for key processing equipment, including Bühler Sortex, graders, gravity tables and other factory machinery.
• Assist with maintenance of compressors, generators, electrical systems, weighing equipment and other utilities.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records and assist in identifying the root causes of recurring breakdowns.
• Escalate complex technical faults appropriately.

Warehouse & Quality Coordination

• Understand the movement of coffee from warehouse storage through processing and final bulking.
• Work with the Warehouse Manager and Warehouse Clerks to ensure timely and accurate movement of coffee.
• Ensure correct identification of coffee lots and prevent mixing of grades/lots.
• Develop an understanding of coffee grading, color sorting, gravity separation and other processing requirements.
• Work with the Quality Department to ensure processing is carried out in accordance with approved PIs and quality standards.
• Assist in reconciling physical stock movements with production records and XBS.

HSE & Factory Standards

• Comply with all company health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Ensure correct PPE and safe working practices are maintained on the factory floor.
• Participate in machine safety inspections, risk assessments, housekeeping and safe maintenance activities.
• Understand and apply safe isolation/Lockout-Tagout procedures.
• Report unsafe conditions, near misses, accidents and equipment damage immediately.
• Progressively develop the ability to enforce safety standards among factory personnel.

Leadership & People Management

• Work alongside the Factory Supervisor to understand labor allocation and daily team management.
• Assist in supervising machine operators, casual labor and floor clerks.
• Monitor attendance, productivity and work performance.
• Participate in on-the-job training of factory personnel.
• Develop communication, leadership, discipline and conflict-resolution skills.
• Progressively take responsibility for supervising teams and selected production activities.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate production, maintenance and operational records.
• Assist in preparing shift reports covering production output, machine performance, utilities, stock movements and technical issues.
• Monitor operational data and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, machine reliability, safety and labor productivity.
• Participate in engineering and factory improvement projects.
• Assist in investigating recurring operational and maintenance problems and implementing corrective actions.

Qualifications

Education

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, Food Science/Technology or a related technical field.

Experience

• 1–3 years' practical experience in machine maintenance within a production, manufacturing or food-processing environment.
• Practical experience troubleshooting mechanical and/or electrical equipment.
• Experience working with production machinery in a factory environment.
• Experience in coffee processing, food processing or agro-processing will be an added advantage.

KEY COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong mechanical and/or electrical troubleshooting ability.
• Practical, hands-on engineering approach.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand machinery and production processes.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong teamwork and ability to work with factory personnel.
• Ownership, accountability and reliability.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet production requirements.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to HSE and quality standards.
• Willingness to learn and take on increasing responsibility.
• Demonstrated leadership potential.