Maintenance Technician - Industrial Bakery

Vriezenveen, the Netherlands 38 hours Full-time €4357 - €5000 / month

Are you a hands-on technician who thrives on solving problems fast and keeping production running smoothly? For a modern, fully automated bakery in Vriezenveen, we are looking for a Maintenance Technician who will be the first point of contact for technical support on the shop floor. If you enjoy variety, teamwork, and getting your hands on the latest machinery, this role offers exactly that.

Description

As a Maintenance Technician, you are the person the production team turns to when something breaks down. From proofers and cooling towers to ovens and packaging lines, you get to the root of the issue quickly and get the line moving again. Alongside this reactive work, you carry out preventive maintenance to keep the fully automated production lines running at their best, and you use your analytical mindset to spot potential issues before they become real problems.

Diagnosing and resolving faults on rising cabinets, cooling towers, ovens and packaging lines.
Carrying out preventive maintenance on machines and installations.
Maintaining and repairing electrical systems, control panels and wiring across the production lines.
Servicing mechanical components such as drives, bearings, pumps and conveyor systems.
Reading and working from electrical and mechanical drawings and schematics to guide repairs.
Analysing recurring issues and proposing structural improvements.
Working methodically and keeping a level head when time pressure is on.
Working in a 3 shift system

Requirements

You are a technically minded person with a service-oriented, collegial attitude, and you stay structured even when things get busy. You are analytical by nature and enjoy figuring out why a machine has stopped working, rather than just getting it running again.

We are looking for:

A Red Seal qualification as Millwright, Electrician or Fitter, or an equivalent technical trade qualification.
Experience as a maintenance or breakdown technician, ideally within a production environment.
Working knowledge of pneumatics, electrical engineering and mechanical systems.
Willingness to work a rotating shift pattern, including nights and occasional weekends.
A proactive, hands-on approach and a genuine willingness to keep learning.
Fluency in English and Afrikaans, with Dutch being a plus

What we offer

At Employ IR, we believe in giving you the freedom and support to build a strong international career. You will be working in a stable and technically challenging environment where your expertise truly matters.

We offer:

Base salary between €4.357 – €5.000 gross per month.
Employ IR covers relocation and work-related costs.
8% holiday allowance on top of your annual salary.
Company vehicle for private use.
25 vacation days per year.
A supportive and team-oriented working environment.
A solid pension scheme for long-term security.

About the client

Our client is a fourth-generation family-owned bakery and bakery supplier based in the Netherlands, operating two production sites and a local retail presence. They specialize in large-scale production of bread and fresh pastry items, delivering to over 550 addresses daily, including export to nearby countries. With a workforce of a few dozen employees, the company emphasizes sustainable practices—such as BREEAM-certified facilities, packaging-free raw material warehousing, and automation—as well as strong local values and a modern approach, maintaining their artisan roots.

More information

About Employ IR:

Employ IR is a Dutch recruitment agency dedicated to connecting skilled South African professionals with leading technical employers in the Netherlands. Our focus is on long-term career growth, professional fulfilment, and personal well-being. We support our candidates through every step of relocation and integration, ensuring a successful transition into Dutch working life.

Interested?

If you are excited about contributing your technical and maintenance skills to high-impact projects in the Netherlands, we’d love to hear from you. Simply apply now to express your interest. Know someone else who might be a good fit? Feel free to share this vacancy.

Published on 24 August 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about working in the Netherlands, your relocation or the process at Employ IR? Below are the questions we receive most often. Can't find your question? Please feel free to contact us.

View all frequently asked questions

How does health insurance work in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, you are required to have health insurance, which covers essential services such as doctor visits, hospital care and medications. Health insurance costs about €150 per month. Employ IR offers independent experts to help you choose a health insurer, and the government ensures that all insurers offer the same basic coverage. There is an annual deductible, but most basic care is covered. For a referral to a specialist, you first visit your family doctor. Additional insurance is also available for extras such as dentistry or physical therapy. The system is accessible and guarantees quality care for everyone.

How long does the relocation process take?

After you sign your contract with Employ IR, the process usually takes about 6-8 weeks before you are in the Netherlands. However, this depends on factors beyond our control, such as the workload at the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service).

What documents do I need to move to the Netherlands?

Everyone participating in the relocation process needs a passport and an unabridged birth certificate (with apostille). If you are married and want to bring your partner to the Netherlands, you also need a marriage certificate (with apostille). If you are in a long-term relationship but not married, you and your partner must both provide a declaration of marital impediment (with apostille). The unabridged birth certificates, marriage certificates and declarations of impediment to marriage can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs. Apostilles can be obtained from DIRCO.

Can I use my South African driver's license in the Netherlands?

Yes, if you have applied for the 30% ruling, you can use your South African driver's license for the first six months. It is important that you convert your South African driver's license to a Dutch driver's license at your municipality after your 30% ruling has been approved. If you do not convert your driving license within the first six months, it will become invalid and you will have to take a driving test again in the Netherlands.

How much does it cost to move to the Netherlands through Employ IR?

In short, very little.

More comprehensive: Employ IR covers all costs related to your move, except for expenses incurred in South Africa, such as for your personal documents and other personal items.

What Employ IR arranges

We arrange your entire move to the Netherlands and take care of the process for you. With our years of experience in visa procedures, we handle your visa application quickly and carefully, including applications for your partner and children. We arrange your housing, transport with a company car, Dutch lessons and the application for the 30% ruling. We also take care of the details from start to finish: from personally welcoming you at the airport to helping you register with a GP and sports clubs, apply for child benefit and much more. Your relocation manager guides you personally throughout the process.

What you arrange and pay for yourself

Employ IR pays the estate agent and covers the costs of finding your home; you pay the monthly rent yourself. You also arrange your own personal documents in South Africa and private insurance, including health insurance, which is compulsory in the Netherlands.