OVERVIEW

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is the country's leading producer of raw, refined and specialty sugars, employing more than 9,000 people. The company is part of Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).

Under its Tiwale initiative, which promotes growing together and positively impacting people's lives, Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals to fill four permanent positions within its Estate Agriculture unit at Dwangwa.

The vacancies offer opportunities for professionals in maintenance planning, engineering, agricultural optimisation and production improvement.

JOB TYPE: Permanent

Date Posted: Thursday, 29th October 2026

Application Deadline: Friday, 13th November 2026

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

1. SECTION PLANNER

Reports to: Maintenance Planning Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Section Planner will develop and coordinate detailed maintenance work packages and schedules to support effective maintenance execution, equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and communicate detailed maintenance work packages, including technical requirements, resources, materials, risks, quality controls, manpower and timelines to ensure effective execution.
Create, manage and optimise maintenance schedules in collaboration with operations and other stakeholders, ensuring that workforce, materials, tools and spare parts are available while minimising operational disruptions.
Ensure adherence to technical standards, IAMP requirements, SHERQ policies and quality control procedures to improve equipment reliability, reduce rework and maintain operational compliance.
Maintain Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) data, asset registers, bills of materials and critical spare parts records.
Provide maintenance performance, cost and progress reports to support informed decision-making.
Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality (SHERQ), Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should possess:

A Diploma in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Irrigation Engineering.
At least three (3) years of relevant maintenance experience.
Sound computer skills.
Experience using SAP is essential.
Strong analytical and organisational skills.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Attention to detail.

2. MAINTENANCE PLANNING MANAGER

Reports to: Agricultural Engineering Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Maintenance Planning Manager will lead the planning and coordination of preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance activities to ensure equipment reliability, availability and cost-effective operations.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Create, schedule and optimise preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance plans to ensure equipment reliability and availability.
Plan and allocate manpower, materials, tools, contractors and spare parts to support maintenance activities efficiently.
Analyse maintenance data, equipment failures and performance trends to identify improvement opportunities and reduce downtime.
Manage maintenance expenditure, track costs and implement strategies to improve cost-effectiveness while maintaining operational standards.
Ensure maintenance activities comply with safety regulations, company policies and industry standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives and best practices.
Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should possess:

A Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, or a similar field.
At least three (3) years of experience in maintenance and/or maintenance planning.
Experience using SAP is essential.
Strong organisational skills.
Good communication skills.
Ability to work methodically and systematically.

3. AGRICULTURE OPTIMISATION SPECIALIST (ENGINEERING)

Reports to: Agriculture Optimisation Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Agriculture Optimisation Specialist (Engineering) will analyse agricultural engineering and field operation performance, identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to enhance equipment utilisation, productivity, reliability and operational performance.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyse agricultural engineering and field operation performance to identify equipment losses, utilisation gaps, process constraints, capacity limitations and opportunities for cost and productivity improvement.
Evaluate machinery, equipment configurations, work methods and deployment practices, recommending improvements to enhance productivity, efficiency, reliability and operational performance.
Assess engineering processes, maintenance practices, infrastructure condition and operational planning to identify inefficiencies and develop targeted improvement interventions.
Coordinate engineering trials, pilot projects and technology assessments, establishing clear objectives, performance measures and recommendations for adoption or enhancement.
Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should possess:

A Bachelor's degree in Agricultural, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Industrial or another relevant engineering discipline.
Professional registration or eligibility for registration with the appropriate engineering body is preferred.
Professional training in Lean, Six Sigma, reliability engineering, mechanisation, data analytics or continuous improvement will be an added advantage.
A minimum of five (5) years' experience in agricultural engineering, mechanised farming, field operations, equipment management or engineering optimisation.

4. AGRICULTURE OPTIMISATION SPECIALIST (PRODUCTION)

Reports to: Agriculture Optimisation Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Agriculture Optimisation Specialist (Production) will analyse crop production performance, identify yield gaps and operational constraints, and develop practical interventions to improve agricultural productivity, quality and cost efficiency.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Analyse crop production performance, identify yield gaps, operational constraints and input inefficiencies, and conduct field assessments to determine the root causes of performance issues.
Evaluate the effectiveness of fertilisers, chemicals, irrigation and crop husbandry practices, recommending improvements to enhance yield, productivity and cost efficiency.
Design, coordinate and evaluate production trials and demonstrations to test new inputs, application methods and farming practices, providing recommendations for adoption or refinement.
Work with production teams to translate recommendations into practical action plans, monitor execution, address barriers and embed successful practices into routine operations.
Establish performance measures, track the impact of optimisation initiatives on yield, quality, productivity and costs, and prepare reports to support benefits realisation and decision-making.
Maintain accurate records and ensure optimisation activities comply with agronomic, environmental, financial and SHERQ requirements.
Promote and adhere to Illovo's procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should possess:

A Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Agriculture, Plant Production, Soil Science or a related discipline.
Professional training in experimental design, agricultural statistics, crop nutrition, crop protection, irrigation or continuous improvement will be an added advantage.
A minimum of five (5) years' experience in commercial agriculture, agronomy, crop production, agricultural research or production optimisation.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following documents:

An application letter.
A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
Names and contact details of traceable referees.
A copy of National ID.

Applications should be addressed to:

The HR Mill Head

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc

P.O. Box 46

Dwangwa, Malawi

Email: DwangwaCorporateMail@illovo.co.za

Closing Date: Friday, 13th November 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.

“SUGAR IS OUR BUSINESS BUT PEOPLE ARE OUR SWEETEST ASSETS.”

THRIVING COMMUNITIES