Instrumentation Technician

COFCO International is a global agri-business with a clear vision, strong values and a positive culture, focused on being a leader in the global grains, oilseeds and sugar supply chains. We provide the food the world needs in a responsible way. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, we are ambitious, with the right structures and culture to meet the world's increasing and changing needs. With 12,000+ people in 35 countries, our global portfolio includes assets across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We trade with over 50 nations, while providing farmers unique direct access to the growing Chinese market.

Company: COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Vacancy:   Instrumentation Technician

Location: Standerton, South Africa

Department: Maintenance

Job Purpose

The Instrumentation Technician will maintain and improve the reliability and performance of plant instrumentation, automation, control systems, industrial networks and weighing systems at Standerton Oil Mills. The role provides specialist technical support through installation, calibration, preventative maintenance, fault-finding, repair, testing and optimisation to support safe, stable and efficient plant operations.

Key Performance Areas

Instrumentation Maintenance and Measurement Integrity

• Install, maintain, calibrate, test and repair industrial instrumentation.
• Maintain weighing systems, load cells, transmitters and process measurement devices.
• Complete planned calibrations and ensure critical instruments remain within approved specifications.
• Investigate measurement deviations and recurring instrumentation failures.
• Maintain accurate calibration certificates, test results and technical records.

Automation and Control-System Support

• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, SCADA/DCS interfaces and industrial networks.
• Support Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal, Profibus, Profinet and Modbus systems where applicable.
• Diagnose automation and control-system faults affecting plant safety, production and reliability.
• Escalate unresolved technical issues to the AEI Engineer or relevant specialist.
• Document faults, technical findings and corrective actions.

Preventative Maintenance and Breakdown Response

• Complete planned inspections and preventative maintenance activities.
• Respond to instrumentation, automation and control-system breakdowns.
• Diagnose faults and restore equipment safely and efficiently.
• Participate in root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Support reliability improvements aimed at reducing repeat failures and downtime.

Projects and Technical Documentation

• Support instrumentation projects, plant modifications, commissioning and equipment handovers.
• Assist with project scoping, technical testing and Management of Change requirements.
• Maintain P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, network diagrams and related documentation.
• Identify technical risks, documentation gaps and improvement opportunities.

Safety, Compliance and Contractor Coordination

• Comply with safety procedures, permit requirements, lockout standards and statutory requirements.
• Coordinate instrumentation contractors and service providers.
• Ensure contractor work is completed safely and within the approved scope.
• Complete SAP/CMMS work orders, maintenance records and technical reports accurately and timeously.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12.
• S4 National Diploma or N6 with a Trade Test in Electrical Engineering Light Current, Instrumentation or a related field.
• 3-5 years’ relevant industrial maintenance or FMCG experience.
• Working knowledge of low-voltage supply and MCC systems.
• Practical experience in instrumentation calibration, maintenance and fault-finding.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams and network diagrams.

Advantageous Requirements

• Experience with Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal, Profibus, Profinet and Modbus.
• Experience with Samson valves and Endress+Hauser instrumentation.
• Experience in soya or sunflower crushing, silos or edible-oil extraction.
• SAP or CMMS experience.

Knowledge and Experience

The successful candidate should have:

• Sound knowledge of industrial instrumentation calibration, repair and maintenance.
• Knowledge of industrial automation, process measurement and control systems.
• Knowledge of Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal and industrial network troubleshooting.
• Sound understanding of weighing systems, load cells, transmitters and process measurement devices.
• Awareness of MCC and low-voltage electrical systems.
• The ability to interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams and network diagrams.
• Experience in breakdown response, root cause analysis and reliability improvement.
• Knowledge of preventative and reliability-centred maintenance principles.
• Understanding of contractor coordination, permit-to-work requirements and lockout procedures.
• Experience in maintaining accurate SAP/CMMS work records, technical reports and audit evidence.

Essential Skills and Behaviours

• Strong fault-finding and technical problem-solving ability.
• Sound understanding of calibration, automation and industrial control systems.
• Strong attention to detail and technical accuracy.
• Safety-first mindset.
• Accountability, integrity and reliability.
• Ability to work effectively under operational pressure.
• Good teamwork and communication skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

• Plant-based role within an industrial manufacturing environment.

• May be required to work overtime or be on standby.

• Must be able to respond to breakdowns and support operations on-site.

General

• Reports to AEI Engineer.

• Salary and Benefits: Market related salary, Provident Fund and Medical Aid benefits.

How to apply

The company is offering a competitive salary with provident and medical benefits.  Exciting incentive opportunities, a rewarding work environment, product and supply chain knowledge and career growth opportunities for the right candidate.

Interested parties should please submit a comprehensive CV and covering letter, outlining why you feel that you are best suited to the position on the COFCO Careers website https://www.cofcointernational.com/careers/ by searching for vacancies in South Africa, clicking on the listed positions available, and following the prompts when clicking “Apply” on the job description, and answering all related questions in full to complete your application.

Only applications submitted direct on the COFCO Careers website will be considered.

If you do not hear from us within 21 days from date of application, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Only short-listed candidates will be moved through the Talent Pipeline and contacted.

The company appoints in line with our employment equity plan and preference may be given to previously disadvantaged individuals.

Privacy Policy

By contacting COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd., you acknowledge and agree that COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd. has a legitimate business purpose to collect and process your personal information (as defined in Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 and any amendments thereto (“POPIA”)) to review your personal information and to comply with its legal obligations. COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd will process your personal information in accordance with POPIA and in accordance with and the purposes described in COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy available at https://www.cofcointernational.com/data-privacy-policy/  You hereby confirm that you have read, understood and agree with the terms of COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy, and consent to the processing of your personal information.

CLOSING DATE: 02 SEPTEMBER 2026

COFCO International is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice to know how COFCO collects and processes your personal data during your job application.