At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of engineers to ensure equipment reliability and maximise uptime.
- Company: Join Magnet, the UK's leading kitchen specialist with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy subsidised canteen, flexible holidays, wellbeing support, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 43594 - 49034 € per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Maintenance Shift Leader to join our Darlington manufacturing site. In this role you will lead and manage a team of Maintenance Engineers to ensure equipment reliability, maximise uptime and meet safety, performance and cost targets.
What’s in it for you?
- Subsidised canteen
- Up to 80% discount on kitchen ranges and products
- Access to Retail Trust
- Flexible holidays – buy up to five extra days with our holiday purchase scheme
- Wellbeing support – virtual GP service and employee assistance platform 24/7
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme and savings on numerous high‑brand products via our benefits app
- Collaborative culture built on care, inclusion and continuous improvement
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead and coordinate day‑to‑day maintenance activities to maximise plant reliability and uptime
- Drive and manage an effective Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme, ensuring proactive maintenance
- Promote the importance of PPMs in preventing breakdowns, improving reliability and extending equipment life
- Embed 5S standards across engineering and production areas
- Manage planned maintenance schedules and prioritise reactive breakdown support
- Mentor, coach and develop engineers to strengthen technical capability and team performance
- Drive a safety‑first culture, ensuring all HSE standards, KPI’s and legislative requirements are met
- Conduct detailed electrical fault finding, root‑cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency and waste reduction
- Arrange and supervise contractors, ensuring compliance, safety and quality standards
- Build and wire electrical control panels where required
- Lead by example with engineering standards, behaviours and best practices
- Deliver effective team briefings and communicate maintenance performance clearly to operational stakeholders
- Maintain exceptional housekeeping and engineering standards across all work areas
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to achieve production and business objectives
- Remain flexible to support operational demands, including shift or working‑pattern changes when required
Who We’re Looking For
- NVQ Level 3 (minimum) in Electrical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline
- Time‑served maintenance engineering background within manufacturing or production environments
- Strong electrical fault‑finding and diagnostic skills on machinery and automated equipment
- Proven leadership experience with excellent mentoring and people‑development capability
- Multi‑skilled engineering experience advantageous
- Experience in woodworking, furniture manufacturing, CNC machinery or similar sectors highly desirable
- Strong understanding of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) systems and reliability‑centred maintenance principles
- 5S‑driven mindset with a passion for high standards and continuous improvement
- Ability to build, wire and fault‑find electrical panels
- Strong knowledge of preventative maintenance and continuous improvement methodologies
- Calm, decisive and solutions‑focused under pressure
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles
- IT literate – CMMS systems, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Why Choose Magnet
Magnet is the UK’s leading kitchen specialist, with a heritage rooted in quality and innovation. We’re in the middle of a transformation that offers real opportunities to shape how we work, grow and deliver for our customers. We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
Maintenance Shift Leader employer: Magnet
Magnet is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative culture that prioritises care, inclusion, and continuous improvement. With benefits such as a subsidised canteen, flexible holiday options, and comprehensive wellbeing support, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The Darlington site provides unique opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic manufacturing environment, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Shift Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Maintenance Shift Leader role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions related to maintenance leadership and electrical engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to get comfortable talking about your experience and how you can drive a safety-first culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along a portfolio of your past projects or achievements that highlight your leadership and technical capabilities. We want to see how you’ve implemented PPM systems or improved reliability in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Shift Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Maintenance Shift Leader role. Highlight your relevant experience in maintenance engineering, especially any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with Planned Preventative Maintenance and team management.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you improve equipment reliability or lead a successful project? We love to see quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Magnet
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your electrical engineering knowledge and maintenance practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and how you've implemented it in past roles. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the Maintenance Shift Leader position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you mentored engineers or improved team performance. Highlighting your leadership experience will demonstrate that you're capable of managing a team effectively.
✨Emphasise Safety and Standards
Since this role involves driving a safety-first culture, be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance with HSE standards in previous jobs. Share any experiences where you implemented safety measures or improved engineering standards, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's approach to continuous improvement and how they implement Lean Manufacturing principles. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company’s values align with yours.
