Background

The Mechanical Engineer (Feed Mill) is the resident mechanical engineering authority at Biyinzika Poultry Uganda Limited (BPUL)'s Katega Feed Mill, accountable for the safe, reliable and efficient operation, maintenance and improvement of all mechanical equipment and systems within the mill. The primary objective of the role is to maximise equipment availability, minimise unplanned downtime, control maintenance cost, and ensure that all mechanical equipment is maintained to the required safety and operating standards.

Responsibilities

Maintain all raw material intake equipment, pre-cleaning plant, conveying networks, silos, bins and hoppers to ensure intake capacity and material flow do not constrain the milling programme.

Maintain magnet systems, destoners, drum sifters and vibrating screens to protect downstream equipment from tramp metal and stone damage.

Own the mechanical condition and performance of hammer mills, including hammer wear and rotation schedules, screen condition and change-out, rotor balance, main shaft bearings, drive alignment, and door seal integrity.

Manage hammer and screen change-out as a planned activity, recording wear-part life per unit to establish predictable replacement intervals.

Monitor and manage the relationship between hammer and screen condition, grind particle size, throughput and specific energy consumption.

Maintain roller mills where fitted, including roll condition, corrugation, gap setting and drive systems.

Maintain batching systems, mixers and liquid addition systems to ensure mechanical accuracy, mix uniformity and accurate, unblocked application.

Support periodic mixer uniformity testing with Quality Assurance and act on any mechanical cause identified.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) – O-Level with strong passes in Mathematics, Physics and English.

Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) – A-Level with Physics and Mathematics, or an equivalent post-O-Level technical qualification from a UBTEB-accredited institution.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Industrial Engineering from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, or a recognised equivalent institution.

A Diploma in Mechanical Engineering combined with substantial and demonstrable feed mill operating experience will be accepted as an alternative to a degree, subject to verified technical depth at interview and practical assessment.

Combustible dust safety and dust explosion prevention training covering hazard identification, housekeeping standards, ignition source control, and explosion protection systems.

Confined space entry and rescue training.

Working at height and lifting/rigging competency training, including slinging, chain block operation and lifting appliance inspection.

Boiler and steam system safety awareness, and familiarity with statutory pressure vessel inspection requirements.

Helpful Experience

A Postgraduate qualification in Maintenance Management, Engineering Management, or Industrial Engineering.

Registration with the Uganda Engineers Registration Board (ERB) as a Graduate or Registered Engineer is strongly preferred.

Membership of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE).

Certification in Maintenance and Reliability (SMRP CMRP or equivalent).

Feed milling technology training covering grinding, mixing, conditioning and pelleting.

Pellet mill operation and maintenance training from a recognised OEM such as Bühler, CPM/California Pellet Mill, Andritz, Van Aarsen, Muyang, or equivalent.

Direct experience in a feed mill, grain mill, poultry processing plant, or agricultural processing facility.

Hands-on pellet mill experience including die and roller management, drive systems, and pellet mill fault diagnosis.

• Maintain all raw material intake equipment, pre-cleaning plant, conveying networks, silos, bins and hoppers to ensure intake capacity and material flow do not constrain the milling programme.
• Maintain magnet systems, destoners, drum sifters and vibrating screens to protect downstream equipment from tramp metal and stone damage.
• Own the mechanical condition and performance of hammer mills, including hammer wear and rotation schedules, screen condition and change-out, rotor balance, main shaft bearings, drive alignment, and door seal integrity.
• Manage hammer and screen change-out as a planned activity, recording wear-part life per unit to establish predictable replacement intervals.
• Monitor and manage the relationship between hammer and screen condition, grind particle size, throughput and specific energy consumption.
• Maintain roller mills where fitted, including roll condition, corrugation, gap setting and drive systems.
• Maintain batching systems, mixers and liquid addition systems to ensure mechanical accuracy, mix uniformity and accurate, unblocked application.
• Support periodic mixer uniformity testing with Quality Assurance and act on any mechanical cause identified.

• Combustible dust safety and dust explosion prevention
• Confined space entry and rescue
• Working at height and lifting/rigging competency
• Boiler and steam system safety awareness
• Maintenance Management
• Engineering Management
• Industrial Engineering
• Feed milling technology
• Pellet mill operation and maintenance
• Pellet mill fault diagnosis

• Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) – O-Level with strong passes in Mathematics, Physics and English.
• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) – A-Level with Physics and Mathematics, or an equivalent post-O-Level technical qualification from a UBTEB-accredited institution.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or Industrial Engineering from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Busitema University, or a recognised equivalent institution.
• A Diploma in Mechanical Engineering combined with substantial and demonstrable feed mill operating experience will be accepted as an alternative to a degree, subject to verified technical depth at interview and practical assessment.
• Combustible dust safety and dust explosion prevention training
• Confined space entry and rescue training
• Working at height and lifting/rigging competency training
• Boiler and steam system safety awareness
• A Postgraduate qualification in Maintenance Management, Engineering Management, or Industrial Engineering.
• Registration with the Uganda Engineers Registration Board (ERB) as a Graduate or Registered Engineer is strongly preferred.
• Membership of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE).
• Certification in Maintenance and Reliability (SMRP CMRP or equivalent).
• Feed milling technology training
• Pellet mill operation and maintenance training from a recognised OEM
• Direct experience in a feed mill, grain mill, poultry processing plant, or agricultural processing facility.
• Hands-on pellet mill experience