Papermill Maintenance Manager

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.

Responsibilities:

• 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.

Requirements:

• 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• 23 Days Annual Leave + 8 days Bank Holiday.
• Free Onsite Car Park.
• Private Health Care.
• Discounted staff shop.