Papermill Maintenance Manager

The Sofidel Group

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Sofidel, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca), is a global leader in tissue paper production. With a presence in 12 European countries and 11 U.S. states, we employ over 9,000 people dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Our products, including toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins, are available in more than 50 countries.

We proudly own well-known brands such as Regina, Nicky, Sopalin, Le Trèfle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, and KittenSoft, while also producing for private-label retailers. With the Papernet brand, we also cater to the \”Away-from-Home\” sector, ensuring quality solutions for businesses and public spaces.

Wherever you are, Sofidel is there, bringing comfort, quality, and sustainability to everyday life!

THE ROLE At Sofidel, paper is our passion—it\’s at the heart of everything we do. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, we\’re constantly evolving, striving to enhance our processes and deliver top-quality products. We\’re currently seeking a skilled and proactive Papermill Maintenance Manager who is adaptable, confident, and ready to take the next step in their career with one of the world\’s leading manufacturers of paper hygiene products.

This dynamic role is ideal for a hands-on leader with a passion for continuous improvement, as you\’ll be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and implementing solutions that enhance performance and standardise maintenance practices.

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the successful candidate will lead maintenance operations across the Papermill, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of our equipment and systems. Our Papermill Maintenance Manager must be a strong team player, as 60% of this role involves hands-on collaboration with the team on the shop floor to support maintenance activities and drive operational excellence, while the remaining 40% is office-based, requiring coordination, planning, and effective communication across departments.

At Sofidel, no two days are the same—bring your expertise, creativity, and energy to help shape the future of maintenance and production excellence.

MAIN DUTIES
Ensure all maintenance activities across the Papermill are performed safely and in line with company processes and procedures.
Work closely with the Plant Manager, Production Managers, and maintenance teams to develop and manage the annual maintenance budget.
Lead and coordinate regular team meetings (daily, weekly, and monthly) to keep operations on track and ensure clear communication.
Identify and implement innovative solutions to maintenance challenges, always looking for ways to improve efficiency and performance.
Plan and manage maintenance schedules and activities throughout the year to minimize downtime and disruptions.
Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure machinery runs smoothly and reliably.
Guide and motivate the maintenance teams to achieve their goals and meet performance targets.
Champion a strong safety culture throughout the plant, making it a top priority in all maintenance operations.
Lead the maintenance department with a focus on continuous improvement, encouraging professional development and growth within the team. SKILLS
In-depth knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic systems, HVAC, and boiler operations.
Skilled in preventive and predictive maintenance (PdM), reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), and CMMS platforms (SAP PM, Maximo).
Strong troubleshooting abilities with hands-on experience in real-time diagnostics and root cause analysis.
Proven leader of cross-functional teams, with a strong presence on the shopfloor to ensure performance, SOP compliance, and effective resource coordination.
Experienced in training, mentoring, and developing maintenance staff to build technical capability and accountability.
Clear, assertive communicator skilled in conducting toolbox talks, shift handovers, and cross-department collaboration.
Proficient in maintenance planning, budgeting, and project execution in high-pressure, 24/7 production environments.
Focused on minimizing unplanned downtime through proactive maintenance, data-driven decision-making (MTBF, MTTR), and continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong organizational discipline with timely follow-up on maintenance actions and technician feedback.
Deep commitment to safety, including LOTO, permit-to-work, hazard reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Experienced in HSE standards relevant to industrial operations, with a history of conducting safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations. REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field (preferred).
Certifications such as CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional) or Six Sigma are a plus. EXPERIENCE
At least 5 years of maintenance experience in an industrial manufacturing environment
At least 3 years of supervisory/management experience
Experience working in the paper industry is advantageous PACKAGE AND BENEFITS
Competitive Salary
Company Pension Scheme
23 Days Annual Leave + 8 days Bank Holiday
Free Onsite Car Park
Private Health Care
Discounted staff shop