Shift Team Leader

Randstad NV; Exeter; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad CPE is recruiting for a Shift Team Leader in Exeter, Devon. The role oversees the Energy Recovery Facility during a 24/7 shift pattern, focusing on safe, efficient operation and leadership of the shift team including Shift Operator Technicians and Auxiliary Plant Operators.

Key duties include maximizing plant availability, ensuring environmental compliance, managing SSOW and Permits to Work, and running CMMS maintenance with a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• Operational experience in a process plant, power generation, or energy-from-waste environment.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations in heavy process plants.
• Hands-on experience managing Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and Permits to Work.

Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership: Lead and supervise the shift team, prioritizing workloads to maximize plant availability and performance against KPIs.
• Operational Output: Maximize waste throughput and energy output while complying with procedures and safety protocols.
• Safety Management: Act as SAP, manage SSOW, Permits to Work, risk assessments and safety docs.
• Environmental Compliance: Monitor performance to ensure adherence to Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
• Maintenance & Defects: Ensure preventive maintenance (PPM) via CMMS; record and resolve defects.
• Emergency Response: Act as Incident Controller during emergencies and safety exercises; test systems.
• Contractor & Visitor Management: Coordinate contractor activities and safety inductions.
• Team Development: Conduct briefings, appraisals, and development plans.
• Shift Logistics: Organize coverage, provide weekend shifts when required.

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

Maintenance management

Communication

IT systems

Education

Engineering qualification (ONC/HNC)

IOSH/NEBOSH qualification

SAP competency

Tools

CMMS

Permits to Work

Job description

Shift Team Leader

Location: Exeter, Devon, UK

Salary: £65,363 per year + shift allowance + annual bonus scheme + comprehensive benefits package

Working Pattern: 40 hours per week (Rolling 24/7 shift pattern, including night shifts)

About the Company

We are a leading UK innovator in resource recovery, waste management, and sustainable energy generation. Operating an extensive national network of Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs), we play a critical role in supporting the UK's climate goals by diverting waste from landfills and converting it into valuable energy resources.

We are driven by ambition, high performance, and a clear vision for a climate-positive future. To achieve our goals, we invest heavily in our workforce and foster a collaborative environment where exceptional talent thrives.

Role Overview

As a Shift Team Leader, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) during your assigned shift. You will report directly to the Operations Manager and supervise a team of Shift Operator Technicians and Auxiliary Plant Operators.

This role requires a safety-first mindset, strong leadership skills, and the technical competence to maintain high operational availability and environmental compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Shift Leadership: Lead and supervise the shift team, prioritizing workloads to maximize plant availability and performance against target KPIs.

• Operational Output: Maximize waste throughput and energy output while maintaining strict compliance with site procedures and safety protocols.

• Safety Management: Act as a Senior Authorized Person (SAP) managing the site Safe System of Work (SSOW), including Permits to Work, risk assessments, and safety documentation.

• Environmental Compliance: Monitor plant performance to ensure continuous adherence to the site's Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).

• Maintenance & Defects: Ensure planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is executed on schedule via the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Identify, record, and resolve plant defects.

• Emergency Response: Act as Incident Controller during emergencies and routine safety exercises. Test emergency, safety, and environmental systems regularly.

• Contractor & Visitor Management: Coordinate and supervise contractor activities, ensuring all visitors and external personnel receive comprehensive site safety inductions.

• Team Development: Support team growth through regular briefings, performance reviews, personal development plans, and return-to-work discussions.

• Shift Logistics: Organize shift coverage to ensure safe operational staffing levels at all times, providing weekend cover when required.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven operational experience within a process plant, power generation, or energy-from-waste environment.

• Solid understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations in a heavy process plant setting.

• Hands-on experience managing Safe Systems of Work (SSOW), issuing Permits to Work, and controlling site safety documentation.

• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with a track record of effectively managing shift teams.

• Proficiency with maintenance management software and general IT systems.

• Excellent communication skills for delivering shift briefings, conducting detailed handovers, and writing accurate operational reports.

Preferred Qualifications & Attributes

• Engineering qualification (e.g., ONC/HNC or equivalent).

• Recognized health and safety qualification (e.g., IOSH or NEBOSH).

• Senior Authorized Person (SAP) competency covering Mechanical, HV, and LV electrical safety.

• Working knowledge of environmental permitting / IPPC regulations.

• Experience managing contractors and utilization of CMMS platforms.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.