Mechanic in Charge

Position based in Ghana (West Africa)

 

​Company description 

 

Maagrace Garment Industries Limited (MGIL) is a leading apparel manufacturing firm established in 2003 in Ghana (West Africa). With a current workforce of approximately 1,000 operators, the factory is in an expansion phase right now and will have the capacity to double its workforce. Situated in a region with a population of over a million people, MGIL stands as the largest employer, contributing significantly to the local economy.

 

At MGIL, our vision is to pioneer ethical manufacturing practices on a large scale within the African context. We aspire to establish a model factory that exemplifies innovation, efficiency, and integrity, while delivering high-quality products to our customers. We specialize in both heavy and light weight garments including fleece, sweats, nightwear, underwear, shirts, schoolwear, dancewear. We work with mainly large scale brands in the USA and have strict quality and compliance requirements.

Central to our mission is the empowerment of our workforce, with a particular focus on promoting opportunities for women. 

 

MGIL is majority owned by Ethical Apparel Africa (EAA), a sourcing company that specializes in delivering ethical, cost-competitive, and high-quality manufacturing solutions to international apparel brands operating in West Africa. EAA boasts a dynamic team with extensive expertise garnered from various corners of the globe, spanning product development, quality assurance, account management, social impact, operations, and finance. EAA collaborates with factories across West Africa to elevate technical and ethical standards to meet international benchmarks. Their clientele primarily comprises international brands hailing from Europe and the USA, all seeking to establish and expand their manufacturing presence within the African continent.

 

Position overview

 

We have a great opportunity for someone with passion and expertise to continue to develop the mechanic team and contribute to the Company growth. The role will be based in Koforidua which is 2 hours outside of Accra in Ghana, West Africa. They will have the following responsibilities: 

 

Responsibilities

 

• Conduct in-depth mechanical assessments (capacities and capabilities) including identifying gaps in machinery and evaluating state of equipment

• Run a proactive / preventative maintenance and inventory system for machinery and accessories

• Train Maagrace teams on how to correctly handle each machine to respect safety and compliance norms including monitor the SOPs for broken needle and metal detection among others

• Systematically ensure that machines are running with underbed trimmers, vacuum cutters and chain cutters in order to avoid unnecessary trimming helpers in the sewing line.

• Always make sure that extra machines are maintained mounted and ready to use to replace defective machines in the production line and avoid delay

• Develop (make) guides/ folders and other tools necessary for efficient production if they are not available within the timeline required for production.

• Manage all inventory of sewing machines and their parts including its accessories and reorder in time so production is not affected.

• Train local apprentice mechanics in all of the above areas; assess performance, manage coach, motivate and provide constructive feedback and submit technical and behavioral assessments.

• Anticipate bottlenecks and come up with innovative ideas to continuously improve sewing lines efficiency.

 

Qualifications & Attributes

 

• Fluency in English required

• Proven experience as a mechanic and a trainer (minimum 8 years’ experience in a Garment factory environment)

• Experience in machine settings for a variety of products including undergarments, lingeries and low GSM stretch fabrics

• Excellent knowledge of garment industry machinery available on the international market specifically knowledge of electronic, mechanical, automatic thread cutting machines in addition to less sophisticated machines. Knowledge of auto cutting, auto spreading machines and bandknifes. Excellent knowledge of machine parts and contacts from companies is a plus.

• Experience in creating profiles for sewing machines.

• Proven experience developing curriculum and conducting training and passion for transferring skills and developing capacity in people

• Proven successful experience in managing factory equipment maintenance programs

• Deep understanding of customer markets and experience of working with Western brands from the USA and/or Europe

• Proven experience in conducting factory risks and needs assessments and creating action plans to bring factory to excellence

• Excellent leadership and training skills; ability to coach teams and develop individuals

• Exceptional cross-cultural communication and presentation skills

• Previous working/living experience in a developing country, preferably in Africa

• Evidence of the following characteristics: pro-active, self aware; resilient and adaptable; persistent and resourceful; able to work under pressure and respect deadlines, apt at both strengthening relationships and resolving problems, poised, active listener; fun to work with; full of integrity; ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment 

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How to apply 

 

• Start date ASAP

• As applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, kindly send a resume ​and a separate and specific cover letter for this position ​to talent@ethicalapparelafrica.com, using the reference “MGIL Mecha 26”​ as the subject of your email

• Only complete applications with accurate reference will be considered and only the most qualified candidates will be short-listed for interview

• We are an equal opportunity employer, recruiting talents from Africa and all over the world, both women and men are highly encouraged to apply. 

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More information on https://www.maagrace.com/ and https://www.ethicalapparelafrica.com/ 

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