Maintenance Assistant

James Cropper; Kendal; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme matching up to 6%

25 days holiday per year (pro rata)

Health cash plan

Wellbeing support (EAP)

Learning & development programmes

Job summary

James Cropper in Kendal, UK, is seeking a Maintenance Assistant to support our Engineering team in safe, reliable plant operations. This hands-on role covers planned maintenance, responding to breakdowns and helping keep our site running at its best.

You will work with engineers and on-site contractors, follow safety procedures, and record work in CMMS while managing spare parts. This role offers a clear path for development within a globally recognised, sustainability‑driven manufacturer.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of engineering or maintenance.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment.
• Basic IT skills; CMMS experience desirable.
• FLT or IPAF licence desirable or willingness to train.

Responsibilities

• Support planned maintenance activities and day-to-day engineering tasks.
• Assist engineers and craftspeople across maintenance tasks.
• Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns.
• Coordinate on-site contractors and ensure safe working practices.
• Record work in CMMS and manage spare parts.

Skills

Engineering basics

Teamwork

Communication

Prioritisation

Hands-on

Willing to learn

Tools

CMMS

Job description

About the Role

As a Maintenance Assistant, you’ll play a key part in supporting our Engineering team to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This is a hands‑on role where no two days are the same — from planned maintenance to responding to breakdowns, you’ll help keep our site running at its best.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and day‑to‑day engineering activities
• Assisting engineers and craftspeople across a range of maintenance tasks
• Helping to respond quickly and effectively to equipment breakdowns
• Coordinating and supporting on‑site contractors, ensuring safe working practices
• Carrying out routine maintenance and tooling activities, assembly and repairs
• Recording work accurately in maintenance systems (CMMS) and managing spare parts efficiently

You’ll be a role model for safety — working to the highest standards, following all procedures, and actively identifying hazards to ensure everyone goes home safe every day.

What We’re Looking For

• Basic understanding of engineering or maintenance (or similar manufacturing experience)
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Ability to prioritise and adapt in a fast‑paced environment
• Basic IT skills (experience with CMMS desirable)
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and willingness to learn

Desirable: FLT or IPAF licence (or willingness to train)

Why choose Us?

You will work for a globally recognised, sustainability‑driven manufacturer and be part of a supportive and skilled engineering team playing a hands‑on role in delivering high‑quality, innovative products.

We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including;

• The chance to pave your career with a global leader you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes
• We will help you save for your retirement - join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%
• 25 days’ holiday per year (pro rata) plus bank holidays
• Free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses
• Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest

The Company

James Cropper are global market leaders in advanced materials and paper products. Led by the Cropper family for six generations, we have an international workforce and an operational reach in over 50 countries.

Established 1845, we manufacture paper, packaging and advanced materials incorporating pioneering non‑wovens and electrochemical coatings.

We operate across multiple markets from luxury retail to renewable energy. Renowned globally for service, capability, pioneering and multi award‑winning commitment to the highest standards of sustainability.

If this sounds like you and you have an interest in working for James Cropper please apply today!

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier should we identify a suitable candidate or receive a sufficient volume of applications.

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