Mechanical Strategy Team Leader

Astute People; Rochester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Bonus

Pension plan

Job summary

Astute People is supporting a leading energy company in recruitment for a senior mechanical engineering professional in the UK. The role focuses on governance, risk and compliance for critical plant assets and oversees mechanical engineering plans aligned with safety and cost targets.

You will lead projects, outages and maintenance programmes, manage budgets, and develop supplier relationships while mentoring engineers and technicians to sustain high performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or HNC/HND with relevant experience.
• Extensive mechanical engineering experience in power generation, heavy industry, manufacturing or asset-intensive environments.
• Experience with Boilers, HRSGs, pressure systems, and PSSR compliance is desirable.
• Proven track record managing projects, outages, or maintenance programmes in complex industrial settings.
• Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance and commercial risk.
• Knowledge of maintenance best practices and CMMS systems, ideally SAP.
• NEBOSH certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement governance, risk, and compliance strategies for mechanical plant assets.
• Lead the development and delivery of mechanical engineering business plans and budgets.
• Manage mechanical projects and outages from concept through completion, meeting safety, quality, schedule and cost targets.
• Develop and execute contract strategies, leading supplier discussions and managing contractor performance.
• Establish, review, and optimise maintenance strategies to improve reliability and cost performance.
• Drive continuous improvement via root‑cause investigations, audits and benchmarking.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to engineers, technicians, apprentices, and graduates.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and engineering standards and promote a proactive safety culture.
• Lead technical reviews, plant modifications, and design change activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors, and external partners.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement governance, risk, and compliance strategies to ensure the safe and responsible operation of mechanical plant assets in line with relevant management systems, standards, and legislation.
• Lead the development and delivery of mechanical engineering business plans, ensuring alignment with wider operational objectives while managing operational and capital expenditure budgets.
• Manage mechanical projects and planned outages from concept through to completion, ensuring delivery against safety, quality, schedule, and cost targets.
• Develop and execute contract strategies, leading technical and commercial discussions with suppliers and managing contractor performance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Establish, review, and optimise maintenance strategies to improve mechanical asset reliability, compliance, availability, and cost performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through root‑cause investigations, audits, benchmarking, and the implementation of industry best practice.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to a team of engineers, technicians, apprentices, and graduates, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and engineering standards while promoting a proactive and positive safety culture.
• Lead technical reviews, plant modifications, and design change activities, ensuring robust engineering governance and effective implementation.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors, and external partners to optimise plant performance and support business objectives.

Professional Qualifications

• Degree‑qualified in Mechanical Engineering, or HNC/HND qualified with significant relevant industry experience.
• Strong mechanical engineering experience within power generation, heavy industry, manufacturing, or another asset‑intensive environment.
• Experience with Boilers, Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs), pressure systems, and PSSR compliance is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of managing projects, outages, or maintenance programmes in complex industrial settings.
• Strong understanding of contract management, supplier performance, and commercial risk.
• Knowledge of maintenance best practices and computerised maintenance management systems, ideally SAP.
• NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification is desirable.

Personal Skills

• An engaging and collaborative leader who motivates, coaches, and develops high‑performing teams.
• A confident communicator with excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• A proactive and solutions‑focused individual who challenges conventional thinking and drives continuous improvement.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary of up to c. £85,000.

• Benefits package including private medical insurance, bonus, and very competitive pension contributions.
• Opportunity to work for a leading energy company with external training opportunities.

Astute People are acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and comply with all relevant UK legislation. We encourage applications from individuals from all backgrounds but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Astute is also committed to the government's Disability Confident Employer initiative.