Engineer (Production / Maintenance)/ GM- Apparel Industry - UAE

The Production & Maintenance Engineer is responsible for ensuring smooth production operations, maintaining all garment manufacturing machinery, improving production efficiency, minimizing machine downtime, and implementing preventive maintenance programs while ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.

Role & responsibilities

Production Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and monitor daily production activities.
• Ensure production targets are achieved within scheduled timelines.
• Improve production efficiency and productivity.
• Coordinate with cutting, stitching, embroidery, printing, washing, finishing, and packing departments.
• Monitor production KPIs such as efficiency, rejection rate, line balancing, and machine utilization.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and 5S practices.
• Reduce production waste and optimize resource utilization.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports.
• Support production planning based on customer orders.
• Coordinate with QA/QC to maintain product quality.

Maintenance Responsibilities

• Plan and execute preventive and predictive maintenance schedules.
• Troubleshoot and repair machinery breakdowns.
• Maintain garment manufacturing equipment, including:
• Single Needle Lockstitch Machines
• Overlock Machines
• Flatlock Machines
• Button Stitching Machines
• Button Hole Machines
• Bar Tack Machines
• Feed-off-the-Arm Machines
• Fusing Machines
• Fabric Cutting Machines
• Band Knife Machines
• Auto Spreaders
• Fabric Inspection Machines
• Steam Boilers
• Air Compressors
• Steam Pressing Machines
• Needle Detectors
• Vacuum Tables
• Generator Systems
• HVAC Systems
• Maintain machine history and maintenance records.
• Ensure adequate inventory of machine spare parts.
• Coordinate with suppliers and OEM service engineers.
• Minimize machine downtime through quick troubleshooting.
• Conduct root cause analysis for recurring machine failures.
• Recommend process improvements to increase productivity.
• Install and commission new production equipment.
• Monitor equipment performance using KPIs.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for machine operation.
• Ensure calibration of production equipment.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Preferred candidate profile

Any BE degree

• 58 years of experience in apparel or garment manufacturing.
• Experience working in export-oriented garment factories is preferred.
• GCC/UAE experience is an advantage.
• Experience in woven, knit, or denim garment manufacturing.
• Knowledge of garment production workflows and industrial sewing machinery.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), and 5S.
• Strong troubleshooting and maintenance planning skills.
• Ability to lead maintenance teams and coordinate effectively with production and quality departments.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts to support production requirements.

Technical Skills

• Garment production planning
• Industrial engineering concepts
• Preventive and predictive maintenance
• Mechanical troubleshooting
• Pneumatic systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Electrical maintenance (basic)
• PLC fundamentals
• Conveyor systems
• Steam systems
• Air compressor maintenance
• AutoCAD (preferred)
• Microsoft Excel and ERP software (SAP, Oracle, or similar)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma (preferred)
• OEE analysis
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)