Engineering & Asset Integrity Manager

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY: ENGINEERING AND ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGER

CEF is a Schedule 2 state owned diversified energy company reporting to the Department of Mineral & Petroleum Resources. The Mandate of CEF is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and the Region through exploration, acquisition, development, marketing and strategic partnership. It is derived from the CEF Act (No 38 of 1977) and the Ministerial directives issued thereafter.

JOB PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Engineering and Asset Integrity Manager is to ensure the sustainable management and integrity of all refinery assets by overseeing engineering teams and programs that uphold safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency across static and rotating equipment, piping, and structural components.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Honours degree (NQF 8) or BEng/BTech in Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical or equivalent qualification.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in management and 3- 5 years senior management experience in managing large, public-sector infrastructure or industrial assets.
• Proven track record of working in the refinery or petrochemical plant engineering and asset integrity environments.
• ECSA registration or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Masters’ Degree (NQF 9) in BEng/BTech in Mechanical, Chemical, Metallurgical will serve as an added advantage.

DESIRED ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES:

• In- depth understanding of refinery processes, plant equipment, corrosion mechanisms, degradation modes, and mechanical/process engineering principles.
• Proficient in failure modes and risk-based inspection techniques.
• Adherence to engineering codes
• Knowledgeable in national and industry regulations (OHSA, NEMA, SANS, pressure equipment regulations).
• Strong understanding of environmental, health, and safety compliance frameworks
• Capable of managing and developing diverse engineering teams in a complex, unionized, or government-regulated environment.
• Experienced in asset integrity management, long-term asset integrity planning, operational risk management, and root cause analysis/troubleshooting
• Skilled in CAPEX/OPEX planning, project execution, cost control, departmental budgeting, and supplier/service provider management
• Experienced on asset lifecycle cost optimization
• Workforce planning and capability development skills
• Composed and factual decision maker
• Highly assertive and competitive
• Solution-orientated and results-focused.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

Asset Integrity Management

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the refinery's Asset Integrity Management System (AIMS).
• Ensure systematic inspection, monitoring, and risk assessment of refinery assets such as pressure vessels, pipelines, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and rotating equipment.
• Implement and manage RBI (Risk-Based Inspection), corrosion management, and condition monitoring programs.
• Lead Fitness-for-Service (FFS) assessments, failure investigations, and develop preventive and corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes (API, ASME, NBIC) and national legislation (e.g., refinery safety acts, environmental laws).
• Develop and monitor KPIs related to asset health, downtime, inspection backlog, equipment failure rate, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Drive the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives using RCA, FMEA, and RCM methodologies.
• Promote digitization of asset integrity data through CMMS and digital twins (where applicable).

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of engineers.
• Oversee design reviews, plant modifications, engineering studies, and the application of technical standards.
• Develop policies, procedures, and budgets in line with corporate strategy.
• Enforce engineering governance through technical approval workflows, design verification, and change management.
• Provide engineering assurance for turnaround planning, revamp projects, and asset upgrades.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in emergency management through innovation and benchmarking against global standards.

Project Management

• Manage capital and operational projects related to asset rejuvenation, modernization, and safety improvements.
• Coordinate with procurement, finance, and public sector oversight bodies to ensure transparent and compliant project execution.
• Ensure cost control, timely completion, and alignment with the refinery’s strategic maintenance and integrity roadmap.

Regulatory and Public Sector Compliance

• Serve as the technical lead for external audits and inspections from regulatory agencies and statutory bodies.
• Ensure full compliance with environmental, health, and safety legislation, refinery licensing conditions, and public sector procurement guidelines.
• Prepare and submit reports required for compliance with public sector performance frameworks and national oil & gas regulatory authorities.

Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure that all projects and construction activities are continuously evaluated for effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with long-term organizational goals.
• Identify opportunities for optimization, reducing costs, improving quality, and ensuring that lessons learned are captured and applied to future projects.

Resource Management

• Plan, allocate, and manage departmental resources to ensure effective delivery of operational objectives. This includes developing annual plans and budgets aligned with strategic priorities, monitoring expenditure, and ensuring cost-effective use of funds.
• Oversee human resource management within the department, including workforce planning, performance management, and staff development.
• Manage procurement processes by identifying service provider needs, sourcing suppliers in line with procurement policies, and overseeing the quality, cost, and contractual compliance of goods and services delivered.

Stakeholder engagement

• Engage with internal stakeholders such as Operations, SHEQ, Projects, Maintenance, Finance, and HR to align asset integrity initiatives with operational needs and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to source and manage external service providers, ensuring delivery of high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Liaise with external regulatory bodies (e.g., Department of Labour, NERSA, DWS) to ensure compliance with engineering standards, environmental laws, pressure vessel regulations, and safety legislation.
• Represent the refinery during technical audits and inspections, providing required documentation, explanations, and evidence of compliance.
• Communicate with OEMs, consultants, and contractors to ensure technical specifications, scope clarity, and effective delivery of engineering and maintenance projects.
• Report to and advise senior management, including the Head of Refinery Operations, on the integrity status of assets, associated risks, and recommended interventions.
• Participate in forums and industry bodies relevant to engineering and asset integrity to benchmark practices and stay current with evolving standards.

Publish date:    19 August 2025

Closing Date:   28 August 2025

NOTE: The successful candidate/s for the advertised position/s will be required to undergo personnel suitability checks, which includes, criminal records, citizenship, financial checks, qualifications and previous employment (Reference checks). It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that foreign qualifications are evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority and the evaluation certificate is attached to the application on submission. If you do not hear from the CEF SOC three months after the closing date of the advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful.  CEF SOC reserves the right to not fill this position. CEF SOC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and it is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment, especially in respect of race, gender and disability. This position will be filled in accordance with the CEF SOC Employment Equity Plan.