At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a maintenance team to ensure safe and reliable plant performance in a chemical manufacturing site.
- Company: Join a top-tier COMAH chemical manufacturer focused on safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong focus on continuous improvement and safety.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and reliability in a high-stakes industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 5+ years of maintenance management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Position Overview
As the Maintenance Manager you will manage and lead the maintenance team and support reliability, and project delivery function for an Upper Tier COMAH chemical manufacturing site. Ensure asset integrity, legal compliance, and safe, reliable plant performance while delivering OPEX projects and supporting CAPEX projects aligned to business strategy. Act as a key custodian of the site’s Maintenance, MI program and contractor management, embedding robust engineering standards and disciplined execution across maintenance and projects. The role requires strong leadership and people skills.
Job Responsibilities
- Maintenance & Reliability Leadership
- Own the site maintenance strategy (preventive, predictive, and corrective), aligned with COMAH safety requirements and plant criticality.
- Maintain mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control assets to achieve high availability and integrity—especially for high-hazard equipment (e.g., reactors, storage tanks, formaldehyde handling systems).
- Implement reliability–centred maintenance (RCM), failure mode & effects analysis (FMEA), and defect elimination to reduce unplanned downtime.
- Establish and manage spares strategy and obsolescence plans for critical equipment.
- Drive improvement and compliance with Bakelite EU Maintenance & Reliability KPI’s for the site.
- Management of mechanical integrity programs (thickness surveys, NDT, inspections, calibration/testing of relief devices).
- Safety & COMAH Compliance
- Ensure maintenance and project work protects the Safety Report assumptions and Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) integrity.
- Involvement with PHA (HAZOP/LOPA).
- Support Permit-to-Work systems (isolation, line‑breaking, hot work, confined space, excavation) and control of ignition sources.
- COMAH Duty Manager on call rotation.
- Project Management (CAPEX/OPEX)
- Assist with delivering the site’s CAPEX portfolio from concept to handover: scope, feasibility, on‑site management and commissioning.
- Involvement with Management of Change (MoC) for equipment, process, controls, and documentation changes and pre‑startup safety reviews (PSSR).
- Manage contractors/vendors: pre‑qualification, competence assessment, RAMS review, site induction, supervision, and performance.
- Manage contractors to construct and commission based on "issued for construction" designs in collaboration with the Project Manager.
- Where necessary and in accordance with agreed processes, ensure design alignment with corporate engineering standards, best available techniques, and lifecycle cost/maintainability.
- People, Culture & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and develop multi‑disciplinary maintenance team.
- Build strong interfaces with Operations, EHS, Quality, Supply Chain, and Corporate Engineering.
- Promote a positive culture and speak‑up environment for safety; lead incident investigations.
- Communicate plans, and risks clearly to leadership and regulators where appropriate.
- Implement continuous improvement in maintenance and shutdown execution.
- Utilise condition monitoring, vibration analysis, thermography, online diagnostics, and data analytics to improve reliability.
- Optimise energy usage and emissions performance (aligned to ISO 50001 where applicable).
Education & Experience
- Essential Qualifications
- Degree (BEng/BSc) in Mechanical, Electrical, or Control/Instrumentation Engineering (Preferred).
- Demonstrable experience (5+ years) in maintenance/reliability and project delivery within chemical or process industries.
- Upper Tier COMAH site experience with proven maintenance management leadership.
- Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks: COMAH, DSEAR/ATEX, PUWER, LOLER, PSSR, Confined Space, Functional Safety (IEC 61511), EAWR.
- Proven competence in Permit-to-Work systems, mechanical/electrical isolation, and contractor control.
- Proficiency with CMMS (e.g., SAP PM) and project management software (e.g., MS Project).
- Desirable Certifications / Training
- NEBOSH General Certificate
- Functional Safety (IEC 61511) awareness.
- Project Management (e.g., Prince2)
- ISO Systems familiarity: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ideally ISO 50001 (energy).
Experience & Skills
- Experience of leading/supporting on CAPEX projects from design through to construction within operating plants.
- Maintenance scheduling & planning of preventive, reactive & shutdown activities, including material management.
- Leading reliability/continuous improvement through the use problem solving tools/methodologies (A3 Thinking, 3C’s, 5 Why, Fishbone, FMEA etc).
- Contractor and vendor management; pre‑qualification and performance management.
- Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation and control systems familiarity.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Key Behaviours
- Safety‑first & process safety mindset; challenges unsafe conditions and decisions.
- Ownership & accountability for asset integrity and project outcomes.
- Structured & disciplined in planning, controls, and documentation.
- Departmental collaboration; Operations, EHS, Engineering and Quality; fosters learning culture.
- Continuous improvement orientation and data‑driven decision‑making.
Maintenance Manager employer: Bakelite GmbH
As a Maintenance Manager at our Upper Tier COMAH chemical manufacturing site, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety, compliance, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive benefits, a strong focus on employee development, and the opportunity to lead a multi-disciplinary team while managing critical projects that directly impact plant performance. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your expertise and fosters a collaborative environment for professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their maintenance strategies and safety protocols. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience in maintenance management and project delivery clearly. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Let's get you that Maintenance Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Maintenance Manager role. Highlight your experience in maintenance and reliability, especially within chemical or process industries. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Leadership Skills:Since this role requires strong leadership, don’t forget to showcase your people management experience. Share examples of how you've led teams and improved safety and compliance in previous roles. We love a good success story!
Be Specific About Projects:When discussing your project management experience, be specific about the CAPEX and OPEX projects you've worked on. Detail your involvement from concept to handover, and how you managed contractors. This will help us see your hands-on experience.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bakelite GmbH
✨Know Your Maintenance Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in various maintenance strategies like preventive, predictive, and corrective. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these in past roles, especially in relation to COMAH safety requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Maintenance Manager, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and fostered a positive culture. Highlight your experience in building interfaces with other departments like Operations and EHS.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Regulations
Brush up on UK regulatory frameworks such as COMAH, DSEAR/ATEX, and others mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in previous roles and how you handle safety reports and incident investigations.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to mechanical integrity programs, reliability-centred maintenance, and project management. Familiarise yourself with tools like CMMS and project management software, and be ready to explain how you’ve used them effectively.
