Maintenance Manager

At Bouchard Finlayson, exceptional experiences are built upon exceptional foundations.  

Behind every vineyard, every tasting, every guest experience and every bottle of wine lies an estate that is safe, functional, meticulously maintained and continually cared for. 

The Maintenance Manager is the custodian of this foundation. 

This role is responsible for protecting, maintaining and continually enhancing the estate’s built environment, infrastructure and operational systems, ensuring that every building, cellar, hospitality space, staff facility, utility, vehicle, piece of equipment and working environment reflect the quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail that define Bouchard Finlayson. 

The estate represents a significant long-term investment in architecture, engineering, sustainability and design. Every structure, system and asset has been intentioanlly created not only to support today’s operations, but also become part of the enduring legacy of Bouchard Finlayson. The Maintenance Manager plays a critical role in protecting this investment, ensuring every asset continues to perform as intended while preserving its long-term value, functionality and appearance. 

Working across vineyards, production facilities, hospitality environments, staff accommodation and estate infrastructure, the Maintenance Manager establishes a culture built on preventative maintenance rather than reactive repair. Through careful planning, technical expertise, attention to detail and sound judgement, they anticipate issues before they arise, ensuring the estate operates safely, efficiently and reliably every day. 

The role therefore extends beyond maintenance. It is about creating an environment where our people can work safely, our guests experience the estate at its best and every operational team performs with confidence, knowing the infrastructure that supports them is dependable, resilient and continually improving. 

Equally important is a commitment to responsible stewardship. The Maintenance Manager is expected to champion sustainable maintenance practices, efficient resource utilisation, preventative asset management and continuous improvement, ensuring the estate evolves in ways that respect both the environment and the long-term ambitions of Bouchard Finlayson. 

Working closely with colleagues across viticulture, winemaking, hospitality, operations and leadership, the Maintenance Manager plays an important role in protecting business continuity, supporting future development projects and ensuring the estate continues to evolve as one of South Africa’s leading wine destinations. 

Success is not only measured by the absence of breakdowns, but also creating an estate that performs to the highest standards, every day. Where preventative care replaces reactive maintenance, where innovation continually improves performance, where sustainability informs decision-making and where every asset reflects pride, professionalism and responsible stewardship. 

Every role at Bouchard Finlayson contributes to shaping the future of the estate. The Maintenance Manager is therefore expected to act as the trusted steward of our infrastructure, continually identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, sustainability, resilience and long-term asset performance while helping ensure that Bouchard Finlayson remains one of South Africa’s most admired wine estates for generations to come. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Asset & Infrastructure Maintenance

• Oversee the maintenance, servicing and repair of all estate buildings, facilities, accommodation, operational infrastructure, vehicles, machinery, workshop equipment, production equipment and estate assets. 

• Act as the custodian of the estate’s built environment, recognising that every building, cellar, hospitality space, staff facility and operational environment forms part of the Bouchard Finlayson experience and must consistently reflect the estate’s standards of quality, craftsmanship and care. 

• Ensure hospitality facilities, production facilities, offices, storage areas and staff accommodation are maintained to a high standard. 

• Protect the significant long-term investment that has been made in the estate, preserving not only the functionality of every asset but also its appearance, architectural integrity and long-term value. 

• Conduct regular inspections of infrastructure and facilities, proactively identifying maintenance requirements and potential risks. 

• Manage maintenance projects, refurbishments, upgrades and infrastructure improvements as required. 

• Ensure estate assets are maintained in a safe, functional and professional condition. 

 Water, Utilities & Critical Services

• Oversee the operation, maintenance and reliability of all water and utility infrastructure across the estate. 

• Manage boreholes, pumps, filtration systems, reservoirs, reticulation networks, geysers and associated water infrastructure. 

• Conduct regular inspections of critical water infrastructure, including weekly borehole checks, and maintain appropriate records. 

• Ensure uninterrupted water and utility services across hospitality facilities, operational buildings and staff accommodation. 

• Oversee the maintenance of electrical systems, refrigeration, air-conditioning, extraction systems, plumbing installations, gas systems and associated utilities. 

• Identify and mitigate risks relating to water security, utilities and critical services. 

• Champion responsible resource management, continually seeking opportunities to improve water efficiency, energy performance and the long-term sustainability of the estate’s infrastructure. 

Preventative Maintenance & Asset Reliability 

• Foster a preventative maintenance culture where planning, anticipation and continual care replace reactive repair, ensuring the estate performs to the highest standards every day. 

• Develop, implement and continuously improve a comprehensive preventative maintenance programme covering all estate assets and infrastructure. 

• Establish and maintain maintenance schedules for buildings, vehicles, equipment, utilities and operational systems. 

• Maintain asset registers, maintenance records, service histories and warranty information. 

• Track service intervals, replacement schedules and lifecycle requirements for major assets. 

• Maintain appropriate stock levels of critical spare parts, consumables and maintenance inventory. 

• Proactively identify and resolve maintenance issues before failures occur. 

• Continually assess infrastructure through the eyes of both an operator and a guest, proactively identifying opportunities to preserve, improve and elevate the estate before issues become visible. 

Team Leadership, Contractors & Projects

• Build a culture where pride in craftsmanship, accountability, attention to detail and continual improvement become defining characteristics of the maintenance team and every contractor working on the estate. 

• Continuously improve an effective maintenance function capable of supporting the evolving needs of the estate. 

• Determine the appropriate structure and resourcing of the maintenance team, including the use of permanent staff, contractors and specialist service providers. 

• Recruit, manage, coach and performance manage maintenance team members. 

• Assess future resource requirements, including the potential need for additional maintenance leadership capacity as the estate evolves. 

• Manage contractor selection, performance, service levels and project delivery. 

• Obtain and evaluate quotations, make recommendations and oversee maintenance projects from initiation through to completion. 

• Ensure maintenance activities are planned and executed with minimal disruption to estate operations. 

Health, Safety, Security & Compliance

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with Occupational Health and Safety legislation, environmental requirements and applicable regulations. 

• Support the estate's health and safety programme and contribute to a safe working environment. 

• Maintain all firefighting systems, equipment and related infrastructure, ensuring inspections and servicing are completed within required timeframes. 

• Ensure emergency equipment remains operational and emergency preparedness standards are maintained. 

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of security infrastructure, including alarms, CCTV systems, access control systems, perimeter security infrastructure and security lighting. 

• Identify and mitigate infrastructure-related operational, safety and security risks. 

• Ensure that safety, security and compliance become embedded in everyday behaviours rather and not as regulatory requirements. 

Budgeting, Planning & Administration

• Develop and manage maintenance operating budgets and capital expenditure requirements. 

• Contribute to the planning and delivery of capital projects, infrastructure upgrades and estate improvement initiatives. 

• Monitor maintenance expenditure and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness. 

• Manage service contracts and Service Level Agreements where applicable. 

• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation, contractor records and asset information. 

• Prepare regular reports on maintenance activities, asset condition, capital requirements and key operational risks. 

• Define and develop long-term asset replacement and lifecycle plans that support the continued evolution, resilience and financial sustainability of the estate. 

Operational Support 

• Collaborate closely with Winemaking, Vineyard, Hospitality, Logistics and Commercial teams to support operational requirements. 

• Oversee maintenance requirements at all Bouchard Finlayson facilities, including leased premises and satellite operating locations. 

• Respond promptly to emergency maintenance situations and critical operational issues when required. 

• Actively contribute to the ongoing evolution and success of Bouchard Finlayson, recognising that transformation, innovation and long-term sustainability are shared responsibilities across the organisation. 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES 

• Strong technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, water systems and general building maintenance disciplines. 

• Strong understanding of preventative maintenance and asset management principles. 

• Ability to diagnose problems and implement practical, cost-effective solutions. 

• Strong planning, organisational and project management capability. 

• Excellent contractor, supplier and stakeholder management skills. 

• Strong leadership capability with the ability to build and develop effective teams. 

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality standards. 

• Sound understanding of health, safety and compliance requirements. 

• Practical, hands-on and solutions-oriented approach. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure. 

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

• Technical qualification in Maintenance, Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical or a related field advantageous. 

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a maintenance management or senior maintenance leadership role. 

• Experience within wine estates, hospitality estates, agriculture, manufacturing or similarly complex operational environments. 

• Demonstrated experience implementing preventative maintenance programs and managing maintenance budgets. 

• Experience managing maintenance teams, contractors and service providers. 

• Experience overseeing water infrastructure, utilities and critical operational systems. 

• Experience managing health, safety and compliance requirements. 

• Valid driver's licence. 

• Willingness to work outside normal business hours when required to respond to emergencies or critical operational needs.