MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT – AIR CHEFS SOUTH AFRICA (APPLY NOW)
Location: Boksburg, Gauteng
Closing Date: 10 December 2025
Reference Number: SAA251202-1
Contract Type: Permanent
Division: AirChefs – Operations
INTRODUCTION
Air Chefs SOC Ltd, the leading inflight catering and premium food solutions provider under South African Airways, is expanding its technical operations team. As part of our commitment to service excellence, operational reliability, and world-class hospitality, we are seeking a dedicated Maintenance Assistant to support our artisans and maintenance specialists across our Johannesburg facility and vehicle fleet.
This role is critical to ensuring that the infrastructure, equipment, and high-capacity food production environment remain in optimal condition. With operations capable of producing over 50,000 fresh meals daily for international and domestic airlines, corporate clients, and large-scale events, Air Chefs relies on a robust, efficient, and safe maintenance ecosystem. The Maintenance Assistant plays a vital part in achieving this.
This position is ideal for a hands-on individual who enjoys a dynamic technical environment, values teamwork, and is motivated to grow across multiple maintenance disciplines. If you are passionate about learning, committed to quality workmanship, and eager to support one of South Africa’s most respected food solutions companies, this opportunity is designed for you.
ROLE PURPOSE
The purpose of the Maintenance Assistant position is to support a team of qualified artisans—including electricians, plumbers, mechanics, refrigeration specialists, welders, and general builders—by performing routine maintenance tasks, inspections, repairs, and installations across Air Chefs facilities and fleet.
The successful candidate will play a key role in sustaining the safe and efficient functioning of kitchens, production areas, refrigeration systems, offices, and vehicles. This support ensures uninterrupted business operations and compliance with safety, hygiene, and technical standards expected within a high-volume food manufacturing environment.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Below is a more detailed, website-optimised breakdown of the responsibilities, rewritten to be unique and professionally expanded:
- Technical Assistance & Multi-Trade Support
Work hand-in-hand with artisans by preparing tools, assisting with technical tasks, and ensuring efficient workflow during repairs, maintenance, and installations.
Support mechanical and electrical teams during planned and unplanned maintenance activities.
Read basic instructions, diagrams, or work orders to complete tasks correctly and safely.
- Plumbing Support and Water-System Maintenance
Assist with identifying and repairing leaks, replacing damaged pipes, fittings, taps, valves, and restroom fixtures.
Help with water-line installations and ensure constant supply within production and utility areas.
Conduct routine inspections of restrooms, basins, drains, and food-grade water lines, reporting abnormalities.
- Refrigeration and Cooling System Support
Assist refrigeration technicians in maintaining cold rooms, walk-in freezers, chillers, and air-conditioning systems critical to food preservation.
Monitor temperature levels and assist in routine servicing tasks such as cleaning coils, checking seals, and inspecting electrical components.
Ensure compliance with food-safety temperature standards.
- Basic Electrical Work
Replace light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, LED fittings, plugs, sockets, and switches.
Assist electricians with isolating circuits, conducting basic testing, and observing strict electrical safety protocols.
Help maintain backup power systems and equipment to ensure continuous operations.
- Building, Carpentry & General Facility Maintenance
Support carpentry work, including wooden structure repairs, door and hinge installations, ceiling fixing, and shelving maintenance.
Assist with masonry, painting, plastering, tiling, and patching tasks to preserve the facility’s structural integrity.
Repair or replace damaged tiles, wall panels, flooring, signage, and fittings.
- Welding & Light Fabrication
Perform basic supervised welding, metal cutting, and shaping for racks, brackets, frames, and stainless-steel components used in the production environment.
Maintain workshop tools and assist in fabrication projects as required.
- Fleet Maintenance Support
Work with mechanics and fleet technicians during inspections and repairs of high-loader trucks, light vehicles, forklifts, and delivery vans.
Assist with tyre checks, fluid top-ups, part replacements, and keeping maintenance records accurate and organised.
- Equipment, Tools & Material Management
Inspect tools regularly, clean equipment after use, and ensure proper storage in designated areas.
Track material usage, report shortages, and help maintain a safe and organised workshop environment.
- Safety, Compliance & Hazard Reporting
Follow all occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Wear required PPE at all times and operate tools responsibly.
Report faults, hazards, structural concerns, leaks, electrical risks, or equipment malfunction promptly to the Maintenance Supervisor.
- Emergency Support & Standby Duties
Assist during urgent breakdowns, unexpected structural issues, and emergency equipment failures.
Participate in after-hours, weekend, or standby rotations when required, ensuring continuous operational support.
QUALIFICATIONS (REDESIGNED & UNIQUE)
To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:
Essential Requirements
Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks in an industrial environment.
Familiarity with common tools used in maintenance and construction.
Basic understanding of workplace safety principles.
Advantageous Qualifications
N2 or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Refrigeration, or Building Maintenance.
Valid Code 10 driver’s licence, beneficial for transport and fleet support duties.
Relevant technical or vocational training certificates.
Experience
1–3 years’ experience as a General Maintenance Assistant, Artisan Assistant, or similar role.
Experience in industrial, catering, food production, or manufacturing environments would give candidates a competitive advantage.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
Knowledge
Basic mechanical systems understanding (gears, motors, pumps).
Electrical knowledge, including circuits, testing, and installations.
Rudimentary plumbing knowledge including pressure, drainage, flow, and fittings.
Awareness of temperature-controlled environments and food-industry standards.
Technical Skills
Ability to use power tools (drills, grinders, saws) safely.
Competence with measuring tools (tape measures, levels, gauges).
Ability to learn and perform multi-trade tasks efficiently.
Soft Skills
Effective communication with supervisors, colleagues, and contractors.
Strong team collaboration and willingness to assist others.
Excellent time-management and prioritisation ability.
Problem-solving mindset with a proactive attitude.
Attributes
Physical endurance and ability to work on ladders, confined spaces, and varying environments.
High attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship.
Responsibility and reliability in completing tasks.
Positive work ethic, discipline, and eagerness to grow technically.
ABOUT AIR CHEFS – COMPANY OVERVIEW (UNIQUE & EXPANDED FOR WEBSITE)
Air Chefs SOC Ltd is a proudly South African food solutions enterprise with more than four decades of excellence in culinary craftsmanship, airline catering, hospitality support, and corporate meal services. As a wholly owned subsidiary of South African Airways, Air Chefs is strategically positioned to serve both the aviation and hospitality sectors with unmatched efficiency, safety, and quality.
With major operational hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, Air Chefs employs state-of-the-art production systems capable of producing over 50,000 high-quality meals every day. Our clients include leading international airlines, domestic carriers, corporate head offices, conference venues, and premium airport lounges.
Our technical teams play a critical role in ensuring that our facilities remain fully functional, safe, compliant, and ready to meet global standards. When a Maintenance Assistant joins our team, they become part of a proud tradition of South African excellence and innovation.
OUR VISION FOR OUR WEBSITE CAREERS PAGE (RECOMMENDED BEST VERSION)
To attract high-quality talent and enhance Air Chefs’ digital employer brand, the website should incorporate:
- A Clear, Engaging Visual Identity
Use brand colours, professional images of facilities, equipment, and working teams.
Highlight Air Chefs’ aviation connection and global hospitality reputation.
- Compelling Employer Value Proposition (EVP)
Example tagline:
“Where Craftsmanship Meets World-Class Hospitality.”
Or
“Join the Team Behind South Africa’s Most Trusted Food Solutions Provider.”
- Interactive Job Description Layout
Present responsibilities in collapsible sections, icons, or infographics for readability.
- Employee Stories or Video Snippets
A short video of artisans or maintenance teams working is ideal for engagement.
- Clear Growth Pathways
Show how a Maintenance Assistant can progress to Artisan, Technician, or Specialist roles.
- Strong Call to Action
Include a prominent “Apply Now” button with a streamlined online form.
- SEO-Optimised Content
Use keywords like:
maintenance assistant
artisan support
technical operations
facility maintenance jobs
aviation catering careers
This drives search traffic and boosts candidate quality.
FINAL SUMMARY
This unique, expanded job description presents the Maintenance Assistant role as a dynamic and valuable opportunity within Air Chefs. It has been crafted with professional website standards in mind, using clear structure, enhanced detail, and strong branding to help attract capable candidates while showcasing the company’s prestige and operational excellence.