Farm Mechanic / Workshop Manager – Nehlen Farming
Job Description
Role Purpose
Nehlen Farming (Pty) Ltd is looking for an experienced, hands-on Farm Mechanic / Workshop Manager to join its agricultural operation at Farm Nehlen.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the maintenance, servicing, repair and management of farm vehicles, agricultural machinery, irrigation-related equipment and the workshop. This is a practical position requiring someone who can diagnose problems, perform repairs independently and take ownership of keeping the farm’s equipment operational.
The farming operation includes approximately 200 hectares of centre-pivot irrigation, a feedlot and a substantial fleet of agricultural machinery, vehicles and support equipment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Farm Vehicles, Machinery & Equipment
Maintain, service, diagnose and repair equipment including:
• John Deere tractors and agricultural equipment.
• Toyota bakkies and farm vehicles.
• Electric quad bikes and utility vehicles.
• Tipper trucks.
• Diesel and petrol generators.
• Water pumps and associated equipment.
• Krone balers.
• John Deere and Piket planters.
• Lemken discs and other tillage equipment.
• Seko feed mixers.
• DJI agricultural drones.
• Centre-pivot irrigation equipment.
• Trailers, implements and other farm machinery.
Perform routine servicing, preventative maintenance, fault finding and breakdown repairs to minimise equipment downtime.
2. Workshop Management
• Take responsibility for the effective operation of the farm workshop.
• Keep the workshop organised, clean, safe and functional.
• Manage and account for tools and workshop equipment.
• Maintain an accurate inventory of spare parts and consumables.
• Manage service kits and maintenance stock.
• Identify and procure required spare parts ahead of scheduled services.
• Procure oils, filters, bearings, belts and other workshop consumables.
• Maintain accurate vehicle, machinery, service and repair records.
• Develop and manage preventative maintenance schedules.
• Ensure critical breakdown spares are available on the farm.
• Liaise with suppliers, dealers and external repair specialists where required.
3. Electrical & Electronic Systems
Provide basic electrical and electronic fault-finding support where required.
Experience in the following will be advantageous:
• Single-phase and three-phase AC electrical systems.
• 12V/24V DC vehicle electrical systems.
• Solar-powered equipment.
• Battery systems.
• Electric vehicles and electric farm vehicles.
• Generators and automatic/manual changeover systems.
• Motors, pumps and control equipment.
• Agricultural electronics and CAN-bus systems.
• GPS guidance systems and modern John Deere electronic systems.
4. Preventative Maintenance
• Conduct regular inspections of machinery and vehicles.
• Perform scheduled servicing and maintain service intervals.
• Identify worn or damaged components before failures occur.
• Maintain accurate preventative maintenance records.
• Plan repairs around farming activities and production schedules.
• Minimise machinery downtime during planting, spraying and harvesting periods.
5. Feedlot & Irrigation Support
Provide mechanical maintenance and breakdown support for:
• Feed mixers and feedlot equipment.
• Pumps and pumping systems.
• Centre-pivot and other irrigation equipment.
• Generators and electric motors.
• Water-related mechanical equipment.
• General farm infrastructure and machinery.
Minimum Requirements
• Strong mechanical knowledge and proven practical mechanical experience.
• Several years of experience working on agricultural machinery, heavy vehicles or similar equipment.
• Ability to independently diagnose and repair mechanical faults.
• Experience servicing and repairing diesel engines.
• Experience with tractors and agricultural implements.
• Good hydraulic and pneumatic knowledge.
• Good understanding of vehicle electrical systems.
• Welding and fabrication skills.
• Ability to use workshop tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to independently manage and take responsibility for a workshop.
• Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English and/or Afrikaans.
A formal mechanical qualification will be advantageous; however, proven practical experience, mechanical ability and strong problem-solving skills will be equally important.
Experience working with John Deere machinery will be highly advantageous.
Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate will be:
• Practical and mechanically minded.
• Reliable, responsible and trustworthy.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Calm and methodical when handling breakdowns.
• Willing to take ownership of problems and see repairs through to completion.
• Well organised and safety conscious.
• Comfortable working in a demanding agricultural environment.
Working Hours
The normal working week is Monday to Saturday.
During planting, harvesting and other critical farming periods, emergency breakdowns may occasionally require attention on Sundays or outside normal working hours.
Applicants must therefore be willing and able to respond to urgent breakdowns when required.
Remuneration & Benefits
A competitive remuneration package of approximately N$25,000 – N$45,000 CTC per month will be offered, depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications, technical ability, skills and experience.
Farm accommodation will be provided as part of the employment package.
How to Apply
Closing Date: 17 September 2026 @ 7:00PM
