Mechanical Project Manager Vacancy at I&J (AVI Limited) – Cape Town Waterfront

AVI Limited is currently recruiting for a Mechanical Project Manager within its I&J Trawling Division based in Cape Town, Western Cape. This permanent position is part of a leading seafood and marine engineering operation that has built a strong reputation over more than a century in the fishing and manufacturing industry.

The role is based at the Waterfront in Cape Town and focuses on managing mechanical and marine engineering projects, including planning, execution, commissioning, and project closure.

Applications opened on 29 May 2026 and will close on 11 June 2026.

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About I&J (AVI Limited Division)

AVI Limited operates the I&J brand, one of South Africa’s most established seafood and fishing businesses. With over 115 years of industry experience, I&J is recognised globally for its premium seafood products, including Cape Hake and farmed Cape Abalone.

The company is committed to:

• Sustainable fishing practices
• MSC accreditation and responsible sourcing
• Innovation in seafood production
• Community empowerment and development
• High-quality marine engineering and fleet operations

Within this environment, engineering and technical project management play a vital role in maintaining fleet performance, safety, and operational efficiency.

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Job Overview

• Position: Mechanical Project Manager
• Company: AVI Limited (I&J Division)
• Location: Cape Town – Waterfront
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Industry: Manufacturing / Marine Engineering / Fishing Industry
• Functional Area: Engineering / Project Management
• Reporting To: Technical Services Manager
• Experience Level: Associate
• Closing Date: 11 June 2026

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Purpose of the Role

The Mechanical Project Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle management of mechanical and marine engineering projects within the I&J Trawling Division.

This includes planning, budgeting, procurement coordination, contractor management, project execution, commissioning, and final project closure. The role ensures that all engineering projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with technical and quality standards.

The position requires strong leadership, technical engineering knowledge, and excellent project management capability within a marine or industrial environment.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Project Planning

The Mechanical Project Manager will lead the planning phase of all assigned projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Defining project scope and deliverables
• Preparing and managing project budgets
• Communicating budget requirements to stakeholders
• Preparing tender documentation for service providers
• Evaluating contractor quotes for accuracy and cost
• Liaising with procurement to appoint service providers
• Developing detailed project plans and timelines
• Conducting stakeholder analysis
• Establishing quality control processes (QCP)
• Supporting commissioning checklist preparation

Strong planning ensures successful project execution.

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2. Project Execution

The execution phase focuses on delivering projects according to plan.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading project kickoff meetings with contractors
• Coordinating daily site meetings and updates
• Monitoring project cost and schedule performance
• Submitting daily progress reports
• Managing project resources and assets
• Ensuring alignment with quality control processes
• Managing variation orders and cost deviations
• Communicating changes to stakeholders
• Supporting system re-commissioning and validation

This phase requires strong coordination and leadership skills.

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3. Project Monitoring and Control

Ongoing monitoring ensures project success.

Responsibilities include:

• Tracking project progress against schedule
• Managing cost control and budget adherence
• Identifying risks and delays early
• Ensuring contractor performance compliance
• Maintaining accurate project documentation
• Monitoring quality standards throughout execution

This ensures projects remain on track and within scope.

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4. Project Close-Out

Proper closure ensures accountability and documentation.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring all commissioning documentation is completed
• Verifying final quality control documentation
• Capturing final project costs and reports
• Ensuring stakeholder sign-off and approval
• Managing contractor payment closure
• Compiling final project reports
• Archiving project records for future reference

This step ensures full project accountability and transparency.

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5. Contractor and Stakeholder Management

The Mechanical Project Manager must coordinate multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing relationships with contractors and suppliers
• Leading project meetings and coordination sessions
• Communicating project expectations clearly
• Resolving operational issues and disputes
• Ensuring stakeholder alignment across departments
• Supporting procurement and technical teams

Strong communication is essential for success.

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6. Technical and Engineering Oversight

The role requires strong mechanical and marine engineering expertise.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing mechanical engineering designs and scope
• Ensuring compliance with marine engineering standards
• Supporting technical decision-making
• Verifying installation quality and system performance
• Overseeing ship repair and maintenance projects
• Ensuring engineering integrity across all work

Technical accuracy is critical in marine environments.

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7. Safety and Quality Assurance

Safety and quality are key priorities in all engineering projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations
• Supporting quality control processes (QCP)
• Verifying safe working procedures on-site
• Ensuring contractor safety compliance
• Supporting risk assessments and mitigation plans
• Ensuring all systems meet operational safety standards

Safety compliance is essential in marine engineering operations.

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Qualifications Required

Applicants must have:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• National Technical Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (advantageous)
• Marine Engineering Certificate Class 2 Unlimited (advantageous)
• Project Management Certification (advantageous)

Candidates with marine engineering qualifications will be highly preferred.

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Experience Requirements

Applicants should have:

• At least 3 years of project management experience in ship repair
• At least 4 years of marine engineering project management experience (advantageous)
• Experience in mechanical systems and marine operations
• Experience managing contractors and engineering projects
• Exposure to budgeting and cost control processes

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Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills

• Mechanical engineering systems
• Marine engineering operations
• Project planning and execution
• Budgeting and cost control
• Contractor management
• Quality control systems
• Commissioning processes

Soft Skills

• Leadership and coordination
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Time management
• Analytical thinking
• Decision-making under pressure
• Attention to detail

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Working Environment

The role is based in a dynamic marine and industrial environment at the Cape Town Waterfront.

The Mechanical Project Manager will:

• Work on ship repair and marine engineering projects
• Manage contractors on-site and off-site
• Handle multiple project timelines simultaneously
• Engage with technical and procurement teams
• Ensure compliance with strict safety and quality standards
• Work extended hours when required

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Why Join AVI Limited (I&J)?

Working at AVI Limited offers the opportunity to be part of one of South Africa’s most respected food and marine engineering companies.

Benefits include:

• Exposure to large-scale marine engineering projects
• Work with a globally recognised seafood brand
• Strong focus on sustainability and innovation
• Career development opportunities
• Experience in advanced ship repair operations
• Stable permanent employment

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Application Details

Interested candidates must submit applications before 11 June 2026 through the official recruitment channels.

Late applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Final Thoughts

The Mechanical Project Manager role at AVI Limited is an excellent opportunity for experienced mechanical and marine engineering professionals looking to advance their careers in project management.

With responsibilities spanning planning, execution, commissioning, and close-out, this role plays a critical part in maintaining operational efficiency within I&J’s marine fleet operations.

Candidates with strong technical expertise, leadership ability, and marine engineering experience are strongly encouraged to apply before the closing date.