At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a mechanical maintenance team or plan future mechanical work for efficiency.
- Company: Join Sappi, a leader in sustainable materials and innovative processes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a commitment to safety and sustainability.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a cutting-edge mill focused on safety and innovation.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in mechanical maintenance with strong leadership or planning skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sappi Somerset is one of the largest, most advanced and high performing mills in North America with one of the lowest mill emissions. Our packaging papers are suited across a range of market segments including health and beauty, confectionery, premium beverages and food packaging. We manufacture labels for cans and jars and our graphic papers are used in direct mail, magazines and catalogs. Nearly $1 billion in the last decade has been invested to expand into sustainable and renewable SBS board grades for folding carton and foodservice, including the rebuilds of PM1 in 2018 and PM2, to be completed in 2025. The Somerset mill focuses on safety, sustainability, quality, and innovation.
We are hiring for a Mechanical Maintenance Planner and/or Supervisor and are open to filling this position as either a Supervisor or a Planner depending on the selected candidate’s experience, strengths, and career goals. Candidates with strong leadership experience and a background managing mechanical maintenance teams will be considered for the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor role. Candidates with strong planning, scheduling, and reliability experience will be considered for the Mechanical Maintenance Planner role. We encourage applicants from both backgrounds to apply. The final role scope will align with the skill set of the most qualified candidate.
What You’ll Do — Supervisor
- Lead a mechanical maintenance crew of 10–15 (millwrights, pipefitters, lube techs).
- Oversee daily work execution and ensure safe, efficient maintenance operations.
- Champion safety and foster a culture where every team member goes home injury-free.
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues and guide the crew through complex problem-solving.
- Strengthen mechanical reliability through precision maintenance and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do — Planner
- Plan and schedule future mechanical work, including preventive maintenance and outages.
- Partner with operations to align maintenance plans with production goals.
- Improve work readiness, materials coordination, and execution quality.
- Support the natural work team with detailed planning and prioritization.
- Identify reliability gaps and help drive long-term mechanical solutions.
What Success Looks Like
- A safe, empowered team that trusts your leadership or planning expertise.
- Smooth, efficient execution of scheduled work and maintenance activities.
- Reduced unplanned downtime and improved equipment reliability.
- Strong communication and productive partnerships with operations teams.
- A team that feels supported, challenged, and proud of its work.
What You Bring
- Strong safety leadership and a commitment to safe work practices.
- Engineering degree preferred, or equivalent industry experience.
- 3+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance.
- 3+ years in supervisory, planning, or maintenance engineering roles.
- Experience in pulp & paper or similar heavy industrial environments.
- Skilled in troubleshooting rotating and process equipment.
- Proficiency with MS Office, SAP, and maintenance planning tools.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and team-building skills.
Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job. Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
ABOUT SAPPISappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.
Mechanical Maintenance Planner and/or Supervisor employer: Sappi
Sappi North America is an exceptional employer, offering a full-time Mill Reserve position at its Cloquet facility, where employees benefit from a competitive starting wage of $29.33/hour and a comprehensive benefits package. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises safety and sustainability, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic environment dedicated to innovative practices and environmental stewardship.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Maintenance Planner and/or Supervisor
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Sappi.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Sappi love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Sappi and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Maintenance Planner and/or Supervisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Sappi and the Mechanical Maintenance Planner and/or Supervisor role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sappi
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Sappi.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Sappi.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Sappi, making you a more appealing candidate.
