Client Overview:

Our client is a foreign-owned charcoal factory, launched upon the 20+ years of extensive and reputable experience of its founding partners. The company operates a coconut shell charcoal briquette factory in Karanganyar, Solo, with its head office in Dubai, UAE.

The factory specializes in producing premium-grade charcoal briquettes, regarded as a work of art that combines the natural riches of Indonesia with the collective expertise of industry pioneers. Its factories focus on serving customers in both domestic distribution channels and international export markets.

Job Role:

The Chief Engineer will take full responsibility for overseeing all technical operations within the coconut shell charcoal briquette factory. This includes managing the preventive and corrective maintenance of production machinery, utilities, and supporting infrastructure to ensure smooth and efficient factory operations. The role is both hands-on and supervisory, requiring the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues, implement maintenance schedules, and guide a team of engineers and technicians.

Beyond technical oversight, the Chief Engineer will be accountable for ensuring compliance with industry safety standards, energy efficiency measures, and company policies. This position will also contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by introducing new systems and best practices that enhance equipment reliability and reduce downtime. As a key member of the operations leadership team, the Chief Engineer will work closely with senior management to align engineering functions with production targets and long-term business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engineering Operations & Maintenance
  • Lead day-to-day engineering operations of the factory.
  • Plan and execute preventive and corrective maintenance for all machinery and equipment.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues to minimize downtime.
• Equipment & Infrastructure Management
  • Oversee production machinery, utilities, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Ensure equipment performance, reliability, and efficiency.
  • Propose and implement improvements to extend equipment life cycles.
• Team Supervision & Leadership
  • Manage and mentor a team of engineers and technicians.
  • Allocate tasks, monitor performance, and provide training when needed.
  • Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Project Implementation
  • Support installation, testing, and commissioning of new machinery.
  • Lead technical aspects of improvement or expansion projects.
  • Ensure project milestones are met within budget and timeline.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Enforce compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental standards.
  • Conduct regular safety checks and risk assessments.
  • Ensure adherence to company and industry regulatory requirements.
• Process Improvement & Innovation
  • Introduce new systems, tools, and best practices to improve factory operations.
  • Optimize maintenance schedules and energy efficiency.
  • Reduce costs through innovative engineering solutions.
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Liaise with senior management to align engineering activities with production targets.
  • Coordinate with other departments (production, supply chain, quality).
  • Prepare reports on equipment performance, downtime, and improvement plans.

Candidate Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering. Professional Engineer (PE) is highly preferred. Certifications in automation or electrical safety are a plus.
• Experience:
  • 5-7 years in engineering, with at least 3 years in leadership, in manufacturing and automation systems.
  • Proven track record in managing engineers, technicians, and mechanics in manufacturing companies or factories.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Expertise in automation systems, industrial control panels, and PLC programming.
  • Strong knowledge of 3-phase power systems, electricity, and electronics.
  • Familiarity with maintenance software, CAD, and production machinery.
• Mobility: Willing to travel between plants and for conferences.
• Language Skills: Adequate level of English to understand spoken and written English, as well as technical terms.