Role Purpose

The Fleet and Maintenance Manager is responsible for the end-to-end technical integrity, reliability, and safety of all Tatu Coffee mobile assets and stationary machinery. This role ensures that every vehicle, tractor, and factory machine is serviced to the highest standards to prevent downtime and, most importantly, to achieve zero tractor and machinery accidents across all Tatu Coffee farms in Kenya.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Maintenance & Integrity

• Preventative Maintenance: Design and execute a rigorous scheduled servicing program for all vehicles, tractors, and coffee processing factory machinery.
• Factory Oversight: Ensure the technical integrity of coffee processing equipment, minimizing downtime during peak harvest seasons.
• Daily Inspections: Implement and oversee mandatory daily pre-operation checks for all fleet and machinery to identify technical faults before they escalate.
• Spare Parts Management: Manage the inventory of critical spares and lubricants to ensure rapid repair turnaround times.

2. Safety & Risk Mitigation

• Zero-Accident Mandate: Take full accountability for vehicle and tractor safety, implementing protocols specifically designed to eliminate workplace accidents.
• Medical Surveillance: Coordinate and conduct mandatory annual medical examinationsfor all tractor operators, machinery operators, and drivers to ensure they are fit for duty.
• Incident Investigation: Conduct technical root-cause analysis for any mechanical failures or near-misses, providing detailed reports to the CEO.

3. Training & Inspections

• Operator Training: Conduct mandatory technical and safety training sessions for all operators and drivers, focusing on safe operation, load limits, and terrain navigation.
• Standardized Testing: Administer internal proficiency tests for all new and existing drivers/operators before they are cleared to handle Tatu Coffee assets.
• Compliance Inspections: Perform regular, documented inspections of all assets to ensure compliance with Kenyan transport and occupational safety laws.

4. Reporting & Strategy

• CEO Briefings: Provide regular, detailed reports to the Tatu Coffee CEO on the status, health, and projected maintenance costs of the entire fleet and machinery pool.
• Budget Management: Manage the maintenance budget effectively, ensuring high-quality parts and service while adhering to the monthly gross salary and operational expenditure limits.
• Performance Tracking: Maintain detailed logs for each asset, tracking fuel consumption, repair frequency, and total cost of ownership.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in maintaining heavy machinery and fleets within a busy coffee or tea farm environment, including experience with processing factory equipment.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic systems, tractor implements, and coffee processing plant mechanics (dry/wet mills).
• Education: Higher Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Automotive or Plant option) or a related technical field.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough understanding of NTSA regulations and DOSHS requirements for agricultural machinery.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage a team of mechanics and operators in a high-pressure agricultural setting.