The Lilongwe Water Board (Board) is a Statutory Corporation established in 1947 and reconstituted in 1995 under the Water Works Act (cap 72). It is responsible for the provision of water supply services to the City of Lilongwe and other surrounding areas designated as its supply area. In its quest for innovations and reforms in the water supply within Lilongwe City, in line with its strategic vision for growth and service delivery mandate, the Board has conceptualized the production of bottled water as one of the Government approved reform areas for Water Boards in Malawi. It is from this background that the Board invites applications from suitable, qualified, and experienced persons to fill the following vacant positions that exist at the Bottling Plant Unit within the Lilongwe Water Board Establishment:

1. Job Title: Bottling Unit Manager

Grade: LWB 4
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Director of Finance
Responsible for: Marketing Officer, Accountant, Process Engineer, Water Quality Technician, and a Procurement Assistant.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

a) Strategy Formulation

• Provide oversight leadership of the bottling plant, ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Review and developing comprehensive strategies and plans for the bottling unit, aligning with the overall objectives and goals of Lilongwe Water Board
• Analyzing market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for growth and differentiation.
• Collaborating with the leadership team to define long-term objectives and strategies for sustainable business expansion.

b) Business Development

• Leading in business development initiatives to expand the market presence and reach of the bottled water unit, including new product launches, market penetration strategies, and customer acquisition efforts.
• Cultivating and maintaining strategic partnerships with distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders to drive sales and distribution channels.
• Formulating terms and conditions for sales and distribution in line with applicable industry trends and practices.

c) Operational Management

• Developing and implementing operational strategies to optimize production efficiency, minimize downtime, and meet production targets.
• Monitoring and controlling all aspects of the bottling process, including quality control, packaging, labeling, and distribution.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies to maintain product quality and safety.
• Overseeing all aspects of the bottling unit’s operations, including production planning, quality control, inventory management, and logistics.
• Implementing efficient production processes and workflow systems to optimize resource utilization and minimize costs.

d) Team Leadership and Development

• Supervising, mentoring, and guiding the team members, fostering a positive work environment conducive to productivity and collaboration.
• Delegating tasks effectively, ensuring that each team member understands their roles and responsibilities and has the necessary resources to perform their duties.
  Conducting performance evaluations, setting performance goals, and providing ongoing feedback and support to facilitate professional development.

e) Quality Assurance

• Implementing and maintaining stringent quality control measures throughout the bottling process to ensure the production of high-quality bottled water that meets industry standards and customer expectations.
• Conduct regular quality audits and inspections to identify and address any deviations or non-conformities in the production process.

f) Financial Management

• Working closely with the Director of Finance to develop annual budgets, cost estimates, and financial forecasts for the bottling unit.
• Monitoring production costs, analyze financial performance, and identify opportunities for cost optimization and revenue enhancement.
• Collaborating with the Director of Finance to develop and manage the unit’s financial performance and track key performance indicators.
• Preparing periodic financial reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting performance metrics, trends, and strategic insights

9) Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborating with other units to coordinate activities and achieve common goals.
• Communicating effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, providing regular updates on bottling unit operations and performance

h) Continuous Improvement

• Identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation, and innovation to improve operational efficiency and reduce waste.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives, encouraging feedback from team members, and implementing best practices to drive operational excellence.

Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration coupled with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge and experience in business development or Marketing fast-moving goods.
• Proven experience in a managerial role within the manufacturing or bottling industry, with a strong track record of successfully managing production operations.
• In-depth knowledge of bottling processes, equipment, and quality standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in relevant software applications, such as ERP systems and Microsoft Office suite.

2. Job Title: Plant Engineer
Grade: LWB 5
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Bottling Unit Manager
Responsible for: Plant Technician (General Fitting), Plant Technician (Instrumentation) and Water Quality Technician

Purpose of the Job
The Plant Engineer will be responsible for the provision of technical support to management and technicians while ensuring adherence to quality control, best practices, and workplace safety procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing technical support to technicians and management
• Developing and implementing procedures to ensure quality control, best practices, and workplace safety.
• Preparing product and process reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends
• In liaison with the manager, designing and improving workspace layouts space requirements, and line layouts.
• Conducting tests throughout all stages of production to determine control over applicable variables and troubleshooting/solving production problems.
• Developing monitoring systems that will evaluate the health of process equipment.
• Overseeing daily operations, machine set-ups and troubleshooting
• Generating and executing continuous improvement projects targeted to reduce waste, improve product quality, and reduce manufacturing cycle time.
• Maintaining documented standards systems
• Assisting in the preparation of yearly cost and production budgets Assist in the preparation of yearly cost and production budgets.
• Providing instructions for the operation of equipment and process flows
• Providing technical and engineering support necessary for manufacturing operations and personnel
• Coordinating activities for and/or execution of Operator Training and compilation of training manuals
• Resolving customer quality issues related to manufacturing process issues.

Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• At least 5 years of industrial experience, covering elements of operations, Engineering, projects.
• In-depth understanding of Process Engineering, Cell Culture, Purification, Equipment preparation systems
• Ability to upgrade or direct technical aspects of equipment installation, start-up, troubleshooting, and repair.

3. Job Title: Water Quality Technician
Grade: LWB 6
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Plant Engineer
Responsible for: Plant Operator

Purpose of the Job

The Water Quality Technician will be responsible for adherence to water quality standards and operational efficiency within the bottling plant unit.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducting water sampling throughout the bottling process following established protocols
• Performing diverse tests and analyses on samples, assessing physical, sensory, microbial, and chemical attributes, ensuring accurate evaluation of water quality maintaining compliance, and upholding standards throughout production

• Performing routine inspections to maintain equipment integrity and functionality, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Monitoring and documenting of production parameters to promptly identify deviations and implement corrective measures.
• Upholding quality control protocols to sustain product integrity and operational efficiency within the manufacturing process.
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory standards governing the quality of bottled water within the industry
• Maintaining meticulous records of water quality data, testing outcomes, and compliance documentation for regulatory reporting obligations
• Upholding regulatory compliance measures to guarantee the integrity and safety of bottled water products per industry standards.
• Identifying and assessing opportunities for enhancing water quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness through process improvements
• Collaborating with various teams to implement best practices and innovative solutions for continuous enhancement.
• Driving initiatives to optimize processes, ensuring alignment with quality standards and organizational objectives.
• Facilitating effective communication within cross-functional teams to address quality issues and align with production objectives.
• Collaborating with external laboratories or third-party organizations for specialized testing, when necessary, while ensuring seamless coordination and alignment to uphold quality standards and meet production goals.
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience

• Diploma in Industrial laboratory, Chemistry, Microbiology or related field
• At least 3 years’ experience in water quality testing, preferably in a food or beverage manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in using laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and software for water analysis and strong analytical skills and attention to detail, with the ability to interpret test results accurately.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to water quality and food safety.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and compliance in all aspects of the job.

4. Job Title: Plant Technician (Instrumentation)
Grade: LWB 7
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Plant Engineer

Purpose of the Job

The Instrumentation Technician will be responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining electronic equipment at the bottled water plant and will be reporting to the plant engineer.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and repair electronic control systems, instrumentation, and communications equipment.
• Creating a suitable maintenance schedule and performing system maintenance accordingly.
• Maintain records of work performed and parts used using computer-based maintenance management systems.
• Test equipment for faults, problems diagnosis, and replac or repair defective parts
• Perform periodic calibration of instruments and devices.
• Provide support to engineers and other professionals on projects and program implementation.
• Read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and drawings
• Comply with safety, health, and environmental procedures and regulations in the workplace.
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience

• A minimum of a Diploma in electronics, instrumentation, or a related field
• At least 3 experiences in a related position
• Knowledge of electronics and instrumentation principles and procedures
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and schematics
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

5. Job Title: Plant Technician (General Fitter)
Grade: LWB 7
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Plant Engineer

Purpose of the Job

The General Fitter will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and diagnosis of the water plant mechanical equipment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Carrying out installation and maintenance of the plant’s mechanical equipment
• Conducting diagnostic testing on malfunctioning systems to determine the root cause of the malfunction.
• Conducting plant or production line inspections to identify and repair the production line faults.
• Creating a suitable maintenance schedule and performing system maintenance accordingly
• Preparing various reports
• Responding to emergency plant Faults
• Adhering to all work-site safety rules and regulations
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional qualifications and experience

• A minimum of a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or City and Guilds part II, plus a Grade 1 National Trade Test.
• At least two (2) years of working experience in a similar job
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills.

6. Job Title: Plant Operator
Grade: LWB 8
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Water Quality Technician (Assistant Water Quality Officer)

Purpose of the Job

The Plant Operator will be responsible for the safe operation of the bottling plant equipment and manage the working area.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Operating and controlling of machines and equipment
• Keeping records and logging off data by completing daily/weekly and monthly inventory reporting, documenting bottled water produced and associated chemicals, raw water volumes, and power used.
• Inspecting all plant equipment and reporting faults to relevant officers
• Ensuring the optimization of the plant by monitoring production unit processes and ensuring adequate stock levels of production materials, e.g., bottles, raw water, and other additives
• Implementing and adhering to standard operating procedures in line with organizational policies and strategies, and regulatory body requirements Managing the daily shutdown and clean-up of the production area
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Food Handler’s Certificate, a HACCP certificate is an added advantage.
• Must possess a Malawi School Certificate of Education At least 2 years of work experience in a similar field
• Ability to operate carts/ dollies, and forklifts.
• Must demonstrate flexibility to work various shifts, including day or night, and be available on all days of the week as required

LWB is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, both male and female persons who meet the prerequisite qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply.

Interested persons should submit their application with up-to-date detailed curriculum vitae, to reach the undersigned not later than the 30th April, 2024.

The Chief Executive Officer,
Lilongwe Water Board
P.O BOX 96
Lilongwe.

All late applications shall not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.