Auxiliary Plant Operator

Viridor Limited; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Viridor Limited is recruiting Auxiliary Plant Operatives for Thameside, Tillbury Docks, Essex. Roles involve operating in the boiler house and turbine hall, with a 40-hour week and night shifts. The role offers a competitive salary and a clear career path in waste-to-energy operations.

You will contribute to safe plant operation, conduct inspections, and assist with maintenance and loading tasks while working within a regulated safety framework.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) required.
• Full UK Driving Licence required.
• Experience with CMMS software.
• Experience in training or mentoring employees.
• Experience in waste management or energy-from-waste sector.
• Strong attendance and timekeeping.

Responsibilities

• Carry out boiler house and turbine hall operations safely.
• Support Shift Team Leader in safe facility operation.
• Conduct routine plant inspections and monitor performance.
• Maintain shift logs and handovers.
• Assist with plant shutdowns, start-ups and frontline maintenance.
• Support tipping hall operations when required.
• Operate mobile plant and machinery safely.
• Operate weighbridges and process vehicle transactions.
• Coordinate unloading of plant consumables.
• Safely operate overhead cranes.
• Support loading and unloading activities.
• Report accidents and near misses.
• Work to Viridor Safety Rules and attain Authorised Person status.
• Complete mandatory training.

Skills

Process machinery

Communication

IT skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Mobile plant

Education

GCSE English and Maths

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our Vision is to be the UK's leading innovator of resource recovery and recycling, transforming waste for a climate-positive future.

Are you someone who lives and breathes high performance, leads with ambition, and would like to be part of an organisation that looks after tomorrow? Viridor has a redefined purpose, a bold Vision, and an ambitious, market-leading strategy. We are investing in the future, and we need a talented team with exceptional people, who believe in each other, to help us achieve this.

Join us, as we rise to the challenge and build a world where nothing goes to waste.

Viridor is at the forefront of waste management and resource recovery in the UK, operating the largest network of Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs). We play a crucial role in supporting the UK's climate goals by diverting waste from landfills and transforming it into valuable energy resources.

We have multiple opportunities at Thameside, Tillbury Docks, Essex for Auxiliary Plant Operativesto join our team working 40 hours per week, working a shift pattern, to include nights.

The salary for these roles will be £37,472.00 per year, plus shift allowance of £6,340.00 and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.

The closing date for applications is 30 October 2026.We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early if we receive a high number of applications.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Auxiliary Plant Operator, you will:

• Carry out operational activities within the boiler house and turbine hall safely, professionally and efficiently.
• Support the Shift Team Leader in maintaining the safe and effective operation of the facility.
• Conduct routine plant inspections, monitor machinery performance and identify potential issues.
• Maintain accurate shift logs and provide comprehensive handovers between shifts.
• Assist with plant shutdowns, start-ups and frontline maintenance activities.
• Support tipping hall operations when required.
• Operate mobile plant and machinery safely and effectively.
• Operate weighbridges, process vehicle transactions and complete associated documentation.
• Coordinate the safe unloading of plant consumables including lime, carbon, ammonia, diesel and industrial heating oil.
• Safely operate overhead travelling cranes in accordance with training and operational procedures.
• Support loading and unloading activities across the site.
• Report accidents, incidents and near misses in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all activities are carried out in compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation and company standards.
• Work towards attaining Authorised Person (AP) status under Viridor Safety Rules.
• Complete all mandatory training requirements.

Health, Safety & Environment

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. You'll be accountable for taking all reasonable steps to prevent incidents that could result in health, safety or environmental harm and will play an active role in promoting a strong safety culture across the site.

What We're Looking For

• Understanding of process or factory machinery, ideally within a power generation or heavy industrial environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Self-motivated, resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Previous experience working within a process, production, manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience operating mobile plant and machinery.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Understanding of safe systems of work, including isolations and permit systems.
• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Experience training or mentoring employees.
• Experience within the waste management or energy-from-waste sector.
• Strong attendance and timekeeping record.

Desirable Qualifications

• Working at Height certification.
• MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) qualification.
• Maintenance and/or operational engineering qualifications.

Why Join Us?

At Viridor, you'll be part of a team that is helping transform waste into valuable resources while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future. We offer opportunities for training, development and career progression within a diverse and supportive working environment.