Maintenance Workshop Lead

Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, located in North Lincolnshire, is a key asset of the Prax Group, a British multinational energy conglomerate dealing in crude oil, petroleum products and biofuels and is the only British refiner remaining in the UK energy market. The refinery processes up to 5.4 million tonnes of crude oil per year (up to 113,000 barrels a day) and incorporates some of the most advanced refining and conversion processes in Europe, supplying products by road, rail, sea and pipeline. We are investing heavily for the long-term with a plan to develop a leading, low carbon next generation refinery, serving our customers for decades to come. We are actively looking for new talent to join us as we continue on our current growth trajectory.

We are seeking a Maintenance Workshop Lead to lead the safe, reliable, and efficient execution of overhauls for all rotating and repairable equipment. This role is responsible for leading workshop operations, managing tools and machinery, and ensuring all activities meet safety, engineering, and performance standards. You will develop and implement preventive maintenance and overhaul programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, and optimise resources to deliver cost-effective solutions. A strong focus on safety, quality, and operational excellence is essential to support continuous and uninterrupted refinery operations.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Safety and Compliance Leadership: Drive a strong safety culture by enforcing the Refinery's Golden Safety Rules, ensuring that all activities comply with COMAH, PUWER, and other regulatory standards. Conduct risk assessments and promote continuous improvement in safety performance.
• Leadership & Oversight: Provide overarching leadership to ensure workshop operations meet safety, quality, and efficiency objectives.
• Regulatory Compliance Management: Ensure all workshop tools, machinery, and lifting equipment in accordance with legal and industry standards (e.g., LOLER, PUWER). Maintain compliance records and coordinate with third-party inspection services where necessary.
• Resource Allocation: Plan, coordinate, and allocate resources efficiently to deliver maintenance schedules on time and within budget.
• Performance Monitoring: Define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for maintenance efficiency, reliability, and equipment performance.
• CMMS Management: Use SAP (CMMS) to plan and execute maintenance work, ensuring accurate records, effective scheduling, and compliance with maintenance strategies.
• Condition Monitoring: Support predictive maintenance activities, including vibration analysis and fluid management, to proactively address equipment issues.
• Third-Party Management: Manage relationships with OEMs and third-party contractors, ensuring high standards for major equipment repairs and upgrades.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize maintenance strategies, minimize downtime, and increase operational reliability.
• Training and Development: Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical training to direct reports, fostering their professional growth and adherence to safety standards. Ensure all personnel are competent and certified for their roles, conducting regular competency assessments and implementing development plans to maintain high skill levels.
• Project Support: Collaborate with project teams to define rotating equipment requirements for new installations and upgrades.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare comprehensive maintenance reports, including failure analyses, repair summaries, and improvement plans.
• Inventory Management: Oversee spare parts inventory to ensure availability and cost-effective stock levels.
• Contractor Oversight: Ensure third-party contractors follow site safety rules and standards, conducting peer reviews of repair work.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements:

• Recognised technical apprenticeship and/or engineering qualifications in a relevant mechanical or rotating equipment discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a supervisory role focused on rotating, repairable equipment, or workshop operations—ideally within the oil, gas, or petrochemical sector.
• Proficiency in Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) such as SAP PM or Maximo.
• Strong understanding of regulatory standards and compliance requirements, including COMAH, PUWER, and LOLER for mechanical systems.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and deliver results in high-pressure, safety-critical environments.
• Experience in planning and executing maintenance strategies for turnarounds, shutdowns, and outages.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis techniques (e.g. FMEA, RCA) to identify and resolve recurring equipment issues.
• Skilled in managing vendors and contractors, ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to refinery standards.
• Solid understanding of lifecycle management for critical equipment, including obsolescence planning and upgrade strategies.
• Demonstrated capability in maintenance budgeting, cost control, and resource optimisation.
• Certifications in leadership, safety, or reliability engineering (e.g. vibration analysis) are advantageous.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities with a strong focus on continuous improvement, reliability, and operational efficiency.

A comprehensive remuneration package is offered for this position which includes a competitive salary and attractive employee benefits such as company pension, private healthcare, performance bonus.