Operator – Annealing

Mabati Rolling Mills Limited (MRM), established in 1962, is a leading manufacturer of steel products and a member of the Safal Group. The company specializes in producing high-quality cold rolled steel coils and other steel solutions for various industries.

The Annealing Operator at MRM Mariakani is responsible for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of batch annealing furnaces. This role involves producing high-quality Cold Rolled Close Annealed (CRCA) steel coils that adhere to customer specifications, quality standards, and production targets. The operator will manage furnace operations, prepare materials, monitor process parameters, and maintain accurate production and quality records. They will also support maintenance activities and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the department.

1. Operate and monitor annealing furnaces and associated equipment to achieve production targets while maintaining quality, safety, and equipment reliability.
2. Prepare furnace charges and process materials in accordance with approved operating procedures and production schedules.
3. Monitor furnace parameters and process performance to ensure product quality and operational efficiency.
4. Maintain accurate production, inspection, downtime, quality, and traceability records.
5. Support preventive, planned, and breakdown maintenance activities.
6. Perform Autonomous Maintenance activities including inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and early identification of abnormalities.
7. Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce downtime.
8. Support onboarding and coaching of new operators.
9. Ensure all annealed coils comply with customer specifications, metallurgical requirements, and established quality standards.
10. Conduct routine quality inspections and identify product defects, process deviations, and non-conformities.
11. Escalate process abnormalities and quality issues for corrective action.
12. Maintain product traceability through accurate production and quality records.
13. Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), and quality improvement initiatives.
14. Drive right-first-time production and reduction of defects, rework, and quality losses.
15. Comply with all Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) requirements, statutory regulations, and company procedures.
16. Operate equipment in accordance with approved SOPs, Risk Assessments, Permit-to-Work systems, and LOTOTO requirements.
17. Identify, report, and address unsafe conditions, hazards, near misses, and environmental concerns.
18. Participate in safety inspections, toolbox talks, emergency drills, and safety improvement initiatives.
19. Ensure proper use of PPE and compliance with 6S housekeeping standards.
20. Exercise stop-work authority where activities present a risk to people, equipment, or product quality.
21. Promote a proactive safety culture through adherence to Zero Harm principles.
22. Participate in TPM, Kaizen, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
23. Support achievement of productivity, quality, energy efficiency, and cost improvement targets.
24. Participate in problem-solving initiatives including 5 Why Analysis and Root Cause Analysis.
25. Contribute ideas aimed at improving safety, quality, efficiency, and equipment reliability.
26. Support implementation of Manufacturing Excellence initiatives across the department.

1. KCSE Certificate.
2. Government Grade Test III in General Fitting, Mechanical Engineering Craft Certificate, or an equivalent technical qualification.
3. Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related technical discipline (added advantage).
4. Knowledge of Batch Annealing Furnace Operations (added advantage).
5. Knowledge of Heat Treatment Processes (added advantage).
6. Training in 6S, TPM, and Autonomous Maintenance (added advantage).
7. Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 Management Systems (added advantage).
8. Minimum of three (3) years of relevant work experience in machine operations in a similar manufacturing environment.
9. Minimum one (1) year of experience in annealing furnace operations or similar heat-treatment/steel processing operations.
10. Experience in continuous manufacturing operations will be an added advantage.
11. Minimum of three (3) years of industry experience within a manufacturing, steel processing, or heavy industrial environment.