Maintenance Supervisor Live-In Employment Equity Appointment

About Our Client

Our client operates an established luxury safari lodge situated within a renowned Big Five game reserve in South Africa’s North West Province.

The lodge offers guests a personalised safari experience supported by luxury accommodation, high service standards and professionally maintained facilities.

Due to the remote location of the property, this is a live-in opportunity suited to a practical and dependable maintenance professional who is comfortable residing on-site and working according to a structured lodge roster.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced, hands-on Maintenance Supervisor to oversee the upkeep, repair and preventative maintenance of the lodge’s guest accommodation, public areas, staff facilities, equipment and general infrastructure.

The successful candidate must have previous maintenance experience gained within a hospitality, safari lodge, hotel, resort, guesthouse, estate or similar property environment.

This position requires a versatile maintenance professional who can identify problems quickly, complete repairs efficiently and supervise maintenance employees or contractors where required.

The Maintenance Supervisor must understand the importance of completing maintenance work discreetly and professionally without negatively affecting the guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

General Maintenance

• Oversee the daily maintenance requirements of the lodge.
  
• Conduct routine inspections of guest rooms, public areas, staff accommodation and operational facilities.
  
• Complete general repairs and maintenance tasks promptly and professionally.
  
• Attend to maintenance requests received from lodge departments.
  
• Prioritise urgent faults that could affect guest comfort, safety or lodge operations.
  
• Ensure that maintenance work is completed with minimal disruption to guests.
  
• Monitor the condition of lodge buildings, fixtures, fittings and equipment.
  
• Maintain guest-facing areas according to the required luxury hospitality standards.
  
• Provide practical support across departments when operationally required.
  

Preventative Maintenance

• Develop and maintain a structured preventative maintenance programme.
  
• Schedule regular inspections, servicing and maintenance of lodge equipment and infrastructure.
  
• Maintain maintenance checklists and service records.
  
• Identify potential faults before they develop into operational emergencies.
  
• Monitor recurring maintenance concerns and recommend permanent solutions.
  
• Ensure that equipment is serviced according to manufacturer recommendations.
  
• Plan maintenance work according to occupancy levels and operational requirements.
  
• Assist management with long-term maintenance planning and property improvements.
  

Electrical and Plumbing Maintenance

• Attend to minor electrical faults, including lighting, plugs, switches and basic equipment problems.
  
• Identify electrical concerns requiring the services of a qualified contractor.
  
• Complete minor plumbing repairs, including leaking taps, pipes, toilets and drains.
  
• Monitor water-pressure, water-storage and water-supply systems.
  
• Assist with the maintenance of pumps, geysers and related equipment.
  
• Report serious electrical or plumbing risks immediately.
  
• Ensure that all work is completed safely and within the candidate’s level of competence.
  

Equipment and Infrastructure

• Monitor and maintain kitchen, laundry, housekeeping and lodge operating equipment.
  
• Assist with the maintenance of generators, pumps, refrigeration and water systems.
  
• Monitor backup power systems and report faults promptly.
  
• Inspect doors, windows, locks, roofing, flooring and structural fittings.
  
• Complete minor carpentry, painting, tiling and building repairs.
  
• Monitor staff accommodation and back-of-house facilities.
  
• Maintain workshop tools and equipment in safe working condition.
  
• Ensure that tools are stored securely and issued responsibly.
  
• Maintain accurate equipment and asset records where required.
  

Guest-Room and Public-Area Maintenance

• Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms and suites.
  
• Attend to reported faults before guest arrival wherever possible.
  
• Ensure that bathrooms, lighting, air-conditioning, fans and fittings remain operational.
  
• Maintain decks, pathways, railings, furniture and external guest areas.
  
• Support housekeeping with room-maintenance inspections.
  
• Respond professionally and discreetly to maintenance issues in occupied rooms.
  
• Ensure that repaired areas are left clean, neat and guest-ready.
  
• Communicate repair progress to the relevant lodge department.
  

Grounds and External Areas

• Assist with maintaining pathways, roads, fences and external structures.
  
• Monitor water drainage and erosion concerns.
  
• Support the upkeep of gardens and landscaped areas where required.
  
• Check external lighting, signage and safety features.
  
• Identify environmental or wildlife-related damage to lodge infrastructure.
  
• Ensure that waste and maintenance materials are disposed of responsibly.
  
• Support environmentally responsible maintenance practices.
  
• Assist with seasonal preparation and weather-related maintenance.
  

Team Supervision

• Supervise maintenance employees and allocate daily duties.
  
• Conduct daily maintenance briefings and operational handovers.
  
• Monitor work quality, productivity and completion times.
  
• Provide practical guidance and skills training to maintenance employees.
  
• Ensure that staff follow safety procedures and use tools correctly.
  
• Assist with staff rosters, attendance and leave planning.
  
• Report employee-performance or conduct concerns to lodge management.
  
• Promote teamwork, accountability and professional standards.
  
• Coordinate external contractors and monitor the quality of their work.
  

Contractor and Supplier Management

• Obtain quotations for repairs, servicing and maintenance supplies where required.
  
• Liaise with approved contractors and suppliers.
  
• Coordinate contractor access to the lodge.
  
• Ensure that contractors comply with lodge security and safety procedures.
  
• Monitor contractor work and report quality concerns.
  
• Verify that contracted work has been completed satisfactorily.
  
• Maintain records of quotations, service reports and warranties.
  
• Assist management with evaluating repair-versus-replacement decisions.
  

Stock and Cost Control

• Monitor maintenance stock, tools, spare parts and consumables.
  
• Maintain minimum stock levels for frequently used maintenance items.
  
• Record the issuing and use of tools and supplies.
  
• Assist with regular maintenance stock counts.
  
• Prevent unnecessary wastage, loss or misuse of materials.
  
• Obtain approval before completing significant purchases or repairs.
  
• Assist with preparing maintenance budgets and expenditure reports.
  
• Identify cost-effective solutions without compromising safety or quality.
  
• Maintain accurate records of purchases, repairs and maintenance costs.
  

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Ensure that maintenance activities comply with health and safety requirements.
  
• Identify and report hazards immediately.
  
• Ensure that tools, chemicals and equipment are stored safely.
  
• Maintain clear emergency exits, pathways and access areas.
  
• Assist with fire-equipment checks and emergency procedures.
  
• Support generator, electrical and water-system emergency responses.
  
• Ensure that employees use suitable personal protective equipment.
  
• Report incidents, injuries and safety concerns to management.
  
• Assist with health and safety inspections and corrective actions.
  
• Promote responsible water and energy usage throughout the property.
  

Administration and Reporting

• Maintain an accurate maintenance log.
  
• Record completed, outstanding and recurring maintenance matters.
  
• Prepare daily and weekly maintenance updates.
  
• Maintain preventative maintenance schedules.
  
• Keep service records, warranties and contractor documentation.
  
• Report urgent operational risks to lodge management.
  
• Provide clear handovers before days off or roster changes.
  
• Assist with asset registers and equipment records.
  
• Attend operational and management meetings when required.
  

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

• Matric or Grade 12.
  
• A relevant technical, electrical, plumbing, building, mechanical or maintenance qualification would be advantageous.
  
• At least three years’ general maintenance experience.
  
• Previous maintenance experience gained within a hospitality, lodge, hotel, resort, guesthouse, estate or similar environment is essential.
  
• Candidates without relevant property or hospitality maintenance experience may not be considered.
  
• Experience maintaining guest accommodation and public areas.
  
• Practical knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, painting and general repairs.
  
• Experience with pumps, generators, water systems or lodge equipment would be advantageous.
  
• Previous supervisory or team-leadership experience would be advantageous.
  
• Ability to diagnose faults and complete repairs efficiently.
  
• Basic computer and maintenance-administration skills.
  
• Strong health and safety awareness.
  
• A valid South African driver’s license is required.
  
• Willingness to relocate and reside on-site.
  
• Willingness to work weekends, public holidays and after-hours call-outs when required.
  
• Ability to work within a remote lodge environment.
  

Skills and Competencies

• Strong practical maintenance ability.
  
• Fault finding and problem-solving.
  
• Preventative maintenance planning.
  
• Staff supervision and task allocation.
  
• Health and safety awareness.
  
• Strong attention to detail.
  
• Good planning and organisational ability.
  
• Ability to prioritise urgent work.
  
• Cost and stock-control awareness.
  
• Contractor coordination.
  
• Professional communication.
  
• Ability to work independently.
  
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
  
• Reliable and accountable work ethic.
  
• Hands-on and solution-focused approach.
  
• Respect for guest privacy and service standards.
  
• Flexibility and adaptability.
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a dependable and practical maintenance professional who understands the standards required within a guest-focused hospitality environment.

They must be comfortable completing a broad range of maintenance tasks and must be willing to work alongside the team rather than only supervising from a distance.

The successful candidate will take pride in maintaining the property, resolving problems promptly and ensuring that guest comfort and safety are protected at all times.

Experience within a remote lodge or safari environment would be particularly beneficial.

Employment Equity

In line with our client’s Employment Equity Plan and commitment to improving equitable representation within its workforce, preference will be given to suitably qualified African and Coloured South African candidates.

Applications will be assessed according to the candidate’s relevant hospitality maintenance experience, technical ability, qualifications and overall suitability for the position.

Benefits

Live-In Benefits

The successful candidate will receive the following live-in benefits:

• Staff accommodation.
  
• Meals while on duty.
  
• Uniform.
  
• Access to staff laundry facilities.
  
• A structured work cycle.
  
• Statutory leave and employment benefits.