Senior Mechanical Maintenance EngineerJoin a Market-Leading Manufacturer
My client is a leading manufacturer of specialist construction materials, operating from a modern production facility on Northwick Road, Canvey Island.
With a dedicated team of approximately 30 employees across production, maintenance, despatch and office functions, the business offers a friendly and supportive working environment where every individual plays an important role in its continued success.
We are now seeking an experienced and highly capable Senior Mechanical Maintenance Engineer to take a leading role in maintaining, improving and developing the site's mechanical plant and production equipment.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced maintenance professional looking to take on greater technical responsibility and play a key role in the reliability, performance and future development of a growing manufacturing operation.
The Role
As Senior Mechanical Maintenance Engineer, you will take ownership of the mechanical reliability and performance of the manufacturing plant.
Reporting to senior management, you will be responsible for developing and improving maintenance standards, reducing equipment downtime, identifying long-term engineering solutions and supporting the delivery of plant improvement and capital investment projects.
You will remain hands-on while also taking a leadership role within the maintenance function, supporting colleagues, coordinating contractors and providing technical expertise across the site.
This is a key engineering position within the business and would suit someone with strong mechanical engineering knowledge, excellent fault-finding abilities and the confidence to take responsibility for complex maintenance and improvement projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Take a leading role in maintaining the reliability, safety and performance of all mechanical plant and production equipment.
- Develop and improve planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programmes and maintenance procedures.
- Lead mechanical fault diagnosis, root cause analysis and the implementation of permanent corrective actions.
- Respond to complex breakdowns and provide senior technical support to minimise production downtime.
- Develop strategies to improve plant reliability, efficiency and equipment life.
- Monitor equipment condition and identify opportunities for predictive and preventative maintenance.
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing downtime, waste and maintenance costs.
- Work closely with production management to maximise plant availability and operational efficiency.
- Maintain and develop accurate maintenance records, equipment history and engineering documentation.
- Take responsibility for critical mechanical spare parts, stock levels and procurement requirements.
- Support the development of maintenance budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Coordinate and supervise external contractors, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard.
- Take a key role in planned shutdowns, major repairs and maintenance projects.
- Lead and support capital investment projects, including machinery upgrades, equipment installations and commissioning of new plant.
- Provide technical input into factory expansion, process development and engineering improvement projects.
- Ensure all maintenance activities comply with company health, safety and environmental procedures, including permit-to-work and isolation systems.
- Identify potential engineering and safety risks and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Mentor and support maintenance colleagues and assist in developing the technical capability of production operators.
- Act as a senior technical point of contact for mechanical engineering matters across the site.
- Promote a proactive, professional and continuous improvement-focused maintenance culture.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and technically strong mechanical maintenance professional with the confidence to take ownership of engineering challenges and influence improvements across the manufacturing operation.
Essential Skills and Experience
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Maintenance or a related engineering discipline.
- Significant experience within industrial mechanical maintenance, preferably within manufacturing, process industries, heavy engineering or marine engineering.
- Proven experience working in a senior, lead or highly autonomous maintenance engineering role.
- Excellent mechanical fault-finding, diagnostic and troubleshooting abilities.
- Strong knowledge of production machinery, rotating equipment and material handling systems.
- Experience maintaining equipment such as mixers, conveyors, pumps, screw feeders, compressors, bagging machinery, motors, gearboxes and dust extraction systems.
- Strong understanding of bearings, couplings, hydraulics, pneumatics and mechanical transmission systems.
- Experience carrying out root cause analysis and implementing long-term engineering solutions.
- Good understanding of preventative, predictive and reliability-centred maintenance techniques.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical schematics and maintenance documentation.
- Strong welding, fabrication and mechanical fitting skills.
- Practical workshop and machining experience, including the ability to manufacture and repair components using equipment such as lathes and milling machines.
- Experience managing contractors and coordinating engineering activities during shutdowns or projects.
- Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience leading or mentoring other engineers or maintenance personnel.
- Experience supporting capital projects, plant upgrades or machinery installations.
- Knowledge of CMMS or computerised maintenance management systems.
- Experience within a continuous manufacturing or process environment.
- Understanding of Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement principles.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- A confident and experienced hands-on engineer.
- Proactive, self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision.
- Comfortable taking ownership of complex engineering problems.
- Commercially aware and able to balance engineering requirements with production demands.
- A natural problem-solver with a practical and logical approach.
- Well organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
- A strong communicator capable of influencing colleagues and contractors.
- Supportive and willing to share knowledge with others.
- Positive, approachable and able to work effectively as part of a close-knit team.
- Someone with a good sense of humour who will fit into a friendly and supportive working environment.
Working Hours
- Monday to Friday
- 9:00am – 5:00pm
- 37.5 hours per week
Due to the nature of the manufacturing environment, flexibility will occasionally be required. During peak production periods, planned shutdowns or major engineering projects, additional shifts and occasional weekend working may be necessary.
Overtime will be paid in accordance with company policy.
Why Join?
- Join a well-established and market-leading manufacturer.
- Take on a senior and influential engineering role within the business.
- Play a key part in improving the reliability and future development of the manufacturing plant.
- Be involved in major maintenance, improvement and capital investment projects.
- Work in a modern manufacturing environment.
- Join a friendly, supportive and close-knit team where your expertise and contribution will be valued.
- Enjoy a varied and technically challenging role with genuine autonomy and responsibility.
- Secure stable, permanent employment with opportunities for overtime and long-term development.
Apply Today
If you are an experienced Mechanical Maintenance Engineer looking to take the next step in your career and move into a more senior, influential role, this is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact within a successful and growing manufacturing business.
We are looking for someone who combines strong hands-on engineering skills with leadership qualities, technical expertise and a passion for improving plant performance.
Apply today and become a key part of the team.
Pay: £35,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
