Defy Appliances is hiring an entry-level General Assistant (Research & Development) in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Assist with prototype builds, transport testing, inventory movement, and material audits. Requires Grade 12, 3+ years in manufacturing, and strong MS Office skills. Forklift license and BOM familiarity advantageous. Permanent position. Apply by 17 August 2026.
📍 Role Overview
- Company: Defy Appliances (Pty) Ltd
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Division: Research & Development (R&D / Cooking Construction)
- Industry: Appliance Manufacturing
- Experience Level: Entry Level / Technical Support
- Contract: Permanent
- Posted: 07 August 2026
- Closing Date: 17 August 2026
🎯 Purpose of the Role
As a General Assistant within Defy’s Research & Development (R&D) unit, you will provide vital logistical, technical, and operational support to engineers, product specialists, and agile project teams. This multi-faceted role bridges the gap between R&D, Stores, and Manufacturing lines—helping test product durability, manage prototype components, conduct material audits, and maintain accurate experimental data.
🔑 Key Responsibilities
R&D Testing & Data Logging
- Transport Testing: Perform product transport and drop testing to evaluate durability during shipping.
- Data Recording: Capture, log, and communicate testing results accurately using MS Word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Benchmarking Support: Assist with product movement, preparation, measurement, and documentation during competitive teardowns and benchmarking.
Technical & Material Support
- Prototype Builds: Assist engineers and specialists with non-critical product assemblies and prototype builds.
- BOM & Material Audits: Perform production-line audits, including tracking raw steel and plastic consumption against the Bill of Materials (BOM).
- Inventory Control: Identify, move, organize, or coordinate the scrapping of R&D products, test samples, and components.
Logistics & Material Handling
- Equipment Operation: Operate a forklift / Hyster to move heavy test samples and manufacturing materials (subject to certification).
- Cross-Department Liaison: Serve as a key link between R&D, Stores, and main assembly lines to keep material flowing smoothly.
- Logistical Driving: Provide driving and transport support for approved product collections, off-site testing, and audits.
Safety & Agile Operations
- Health & Safety: Act as a departmental First Aid and Health & Safety (HSE) representative when required.
- Agile Adaptability: Dynamically adjust priorities to support daily requests from R&D squads and the Cooking Construction team.
✅ Qualifications and Experience
- Education: Grade 12 / Matric (Essential). A relevant technical diploma/N-qualification is advantageous.
- Experience: Minimum 3+ years’ experience working within a manufacturing or factory environment.
- Technical Skills:
- Strong computer proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Valid Forklift / Hyster License (Advantageous).
- Familiarity with Bill of Materials (BOM) and inventory structures (Advantageous).
🧠 Core Competencies
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to recording test data and verifying raw material consumption.
- Analytical & Problem Solving: Practical mindset with the ability to identify discrepancies during audits or testing.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to liaise effectively across engineering, stores, and shop-floor teams.
- Agile Mindset: Flexible and responsive to shifting technical priorities in a fast-paced product development environment.