Maintenance Manager

Handley James; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Handley James is seeking a Maintenance Manager for a well‑established manufacturing business in Stoke‑on‑Trent. You will lead a hands‑on maintenance team to improve reliability, safety and efficiency across plant and facilities.

You will implement proactive maintenance, mentor staff and manage upgrades including robotics projects while driving TPM and structured planning to minimise downtime and support continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Time-served engineer in manufacturing with hands-on leadership.
• Experience in reactive and planned maintenance and TPM is advantageous.
• Electrical/industrial background is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the maintenance function to ensure safe, reliable operation of plant and facilities.
• Implement and improve planned preventive maintenance to reduce breakdowns.
• Schedule activities using maintenance management systems for better planning.
• Identify recurring issues via root cause analysis and implement improvements.
• Coordinate inspections (PUWER, LOLER, electrical) and action outcomes.
• Develop the team, mentor staff and drive proactive maintenance culture.
• Oversee equipment upgrade projects including robotics and relocations.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance management

Root cause analysis

Planning and scheduling

Team development

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

HND or engineering degree

18th Edition qualification

Management qualification

Tools

Maintenance management systems

Job description

We have been retained by one of our key clients to recruit a Maintenance Manager for a well established and growing manufacturing business. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organisation where you can improve equipment reliability and develop a more proactive approach to maintenance.

This is a key appointment and an opportunity to shape the maintenance function. The business requires a visible, hands on maintenance leader who can develop the team, improve maintenance systems and move the operation from reactive towards structured planned maintenance.

Role Responsibilities

To lead and develop the maintenance function, ensuring plant, equipment and facilities operate safely, reliably and efficiently.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the day to day maintenance function, prioritising work and supporting safe and effective maintenance activities
• Implementing and improving planned preventive maintenance programmes to reduce breakdowns and minimise downtime
• Scheduling maintenance activities and using maintenance management systems to improve planning and execution
• Identifying recurring equipment issues through root cause analysis and implementing lasting improvements
• Coordinating mandatory inspections, including PUWER, LOLER and electrical checks, and ensuring required actions are completed
• Developing, training and mentoring the maintenance team, building accountability and a proactive approach to maintenance
• Managing equipment upgrade projects, including robotics and machine relocation, while improving maintenance systems and processes

You will currently be an experienced maintenance manager with a background as a time served engineer within a manufacturing environment. You will have experience of reactive and planned maintenance, improvement projects, maintenance scheduling and developing staff. You will be organised, practical and approachable, with strong communication skills and the ability to lead change. An electrical engineering background, experience within heavy engineering or a similar industrial environment, facilities maintenance and introducing total productive maintenance (TPM) would be advantageous. An HND or engineering degree, an 18th Edition qualification or a management qualification would also be desirable.