Workshop & Logistics Operations Specialist - ER Agri Limited

We are looking for a motivated Workshop & Logistics Operations Specialist to join our team to run the day-to-day workshop, fleet, fuel and logistics operations of Savannah and Mon Desert Alma Sections. The aim is to ensure that machinery and vehicles are available, safe and cost-controlled for every business unit – mainly sugar cane, as well as poultry, cattle and sheep, nursery, food crop and security.

The Workshop & Logistics Operations Specialist will own workshop and logistics operations day to day, with full responsibility for their follow-up, and lead a team of mechanics, drivers, operators and support staff.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Workshop management

• Plan and prioritise daily workshop interventions (breakdowns, repairs, servicing) with the workshop team leader.
• Run the preventive maintenance schedule for tractors, vehicles, generators and pumps.
• Ensure every intervention is logged in the workshop job card system (PowerApps), with labour, parts and downtime recorded.
• Approve and close job cards; follow up on overdue and repeat repairs.
• Coordinate external repairs and service providers; check quotes and invoices against work done.

Mechanisation & precision agriculture

• Calibrate all field equipment before use (sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, planters, herbicide and irrigation equipment), keep calibration records, and stop any machine that is not calibrated from going to the field.
• Own the GPS/auto guidance and drone scouting systems (base stations, receivers, displays): set up field lines and boundaries, keep firmware and data up to date, and train operators to use them.
• Match machines and implements to field operations (land preparation, planting, cane transport) and plan mechanisation needs per season.
• Follow up machine performance in the field (output per hour, fuel per hectare) and recommend improvements.

Fleet & logistics

• Allocate vehicles, tractors and operators to business-unit requests daily.
• Supervise the Timekeeper and ensure fleet activity logs (hours, km, tasks, users) are complete and accurate.
• Closely follow up all fleet and workshop logs (machine hours, km, fuel, job cards) daily, so that billing to business units and third parties is processed accurately and on time.
• Plan transport of inputs, feed, livestock, produce and materials between sites.
• Monitor driver and operator conduct, licences and authorisations.
• Keep fleet records up to date: insurance, fitness, road tax, registration and inspection dates.

Fuel management

• Manage diesel stock, deliveries and issues, including the mobile diesel bowser.
• Reconcile fuel issued against machine hours/km weekly and investigate abnormal consumption.

Stores & spare parts

• Oversee workshop stores: minimum stock levels, purchase requests, receipt and issue of parts.
• Support quarterly stock counts and reduce slow-moving stock.

Health, safety & environment

• Enforce workshop safety rules, PPE use, lock-out and safe lifting practices.
• Ensure safe handling and disposal of used oil, filters, tyres and batteries.
• Report and investigate accidents and near misses involving vehicles or machinery.

Budget, reporting & cost control

• Build up the annual budget for the workshop, fleet, fuel and mechanisation (operating costs, spare parts, labour and capital needs), with supporting figures from logs and cost history.
• Produce a weekly report on fleet availability, downtime, job cards opened/closed, fuel use and costs.
• Track workshop and fleet costs per machine and per business unit against budget.
• Recommend repair-or-replace decisions for machines and vehicles.

Deputising & projects

• Act for the Agricultural Manager on workshop and logistics matters in his absence.
• Take part in improvement projects (e.g. digital job cards, fleet logging, equipment builds) as assigned.
• Train and coach mechanics, drivers and operators.

Profile & Experience:

• Diploma in mechanical, automotive or agricultural engineering (or equivalent trade certificate). A degree in engineering or logistics/supply chain would be an advantage.
• Above 5 years’ work experience in a workshop or fleet environment, including at least 2 years supervising staff.
• Experience in an agricultural, sugar-estate or heavy-equipment fleet environment would be an advantage.
• Valid Mauritian driving licence (car); a heavy vehicle/tractor licence would be an advantage.
• Hands-on, organised and cost-conscious, firm but fair with teams, and calm under pressure during breakdowns and peak periods.