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- Tasks: Lead a maintenance team to ensure safe and reliable plant performance.
- Company: Join Bakelite, a leader in sustainable chemistry with over 100 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to build a stronger, safer, better world.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 5+ years in maintenance management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
At Bakelite, you’ll help us create a better tomorrow with sustainable and innovative chemistry today. We’re Everywhere. Everywhere you look, you’ll find products enabled by Bakelite, from stronger homes to safer automobiles and everywhere in between. With more than 100 years of history and strong customer relationships, we boldly engineer sustainable products to tackle our world’s most challenging demands. Join Our Team and Help Us Build a Stronger, Safer, Better World. It’s Better with Bakelite.
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 sites 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 such as reactors, storage tanks, and 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.
- Champion CMMS usage (work management, backlog control, planning & scheduling, KPI reporting).
- Manage 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.
- Continuous Improvement
- 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).
- Inspection Competency (e.g., API/ASME awareness), NDT appreciation, Pressure Systems responsible person training.
- ISO Systems familiarity: ISO 9001, ISO 1401, ISO 4501, and ideally ISO 5001 (energy).
- LEAN/Six Sigma Green Belt (or higher).
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 of 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 in Barry employer: Bakelite
Contact Detail:
Bakelite Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Manager in Barry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Maintenance Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bakelite and its projects. Understand their commitment to safety and sustainability, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with safety standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Bakelite team and contributing to a safer, better world.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Manager in Barry
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 Your Leadership Skills: As a Maintenance Manager, strong leadership is key. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage projects effectively. Share specific examples of how you've built positive cultures and driven improvements in past roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is crucial. Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Bakelite!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bakelite
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to maintenance and reliability, especially in the context of chemical manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like RCM, FMEA, and the specific regulations like COMAH and DSEAR that are crucial for the role.
✨Show Leadership Skills
As a Maintenance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team, managed projects, or improved processes. Highlight how you foster a positive culture and promote safety within your team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Think about situations where you've had to manage contractors, handle compliance issues, or implement continuous improvement strategies. Be ready to discuss your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain complex technical concepts in a way that’s understandable to non-technical stakeholders, as you’ll need to build strong interfaces with various departments.