Shift Team Leader

Viridor; Greater London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift allowance

Annual bonus

Benefits package

Job summary

Viridor in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Authorised Person to lead a critical shift-based operation within an Energy from Waste facility. You will manage the Safe System of Work, coordinate permits to work, and drive safe execution of all plant activities while ensuring environmental permit compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, robust health & safety knowledge, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions in a 24-hour plant environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a process or power plant environment is essential.
• Experience issuing Permits to Work and related safety documentation.
• Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Experience with maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to deliver effective team briefings and shift handovers.
• Ability to produce clear operational reports.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead a team and make decisions in a 24-hour plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Shift Operator Technicians and Auxiliary Plant Operators to maximise KPI performance.
• Support ERF operations to maximise waste throughput and energy output.
• Own Safe System of Work as SAP, manage Permits to Work and safety documents.
• Ensure activities comply with health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Complete and review risk assessments to maintain safe work.
• Supervise contractors and induct visitors and contractors.
• Maintain Environmental Permit compliance for plant operations.
• Monitor plant performance and report defects using CMMS.
• Oversee planned preventative maintenance and record-keeping.
• Lead incident reporting and investigations as required.
• Act as Incident Controller during emergencies and drills.
• Conduct routine testing of emergency, safety and environmental procedures.
• Coordinate shift cover, including weekend shifts when needed.
• Lead team meetings, briefings and handovers for clear communication.
• Support development through feedback and performance reviews.
• Conduct return-to-work discussions after absence.
• Work with management to drive safety, environmental and operational improvements.

Skills

Process plant experience

Safe Systems of Work

Permits to Work

Health & safety knowledge

Incident investigation

Leadership

Communication

Team briefings

CMMS knowledge

Decision making under pressure

Education

ONC/HNC or equivalent engineering qualification

IOSH/NEBOSH safety qualification

Tools

CMMS

IT systems

Job description

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the plant, helping to maximise waste throughput and energy generation while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance. As the Senior Authorised Person (SAP) on shift, you'll play a critical role in managing the Safe System of Work, coordinating operational activities and ensuring employees and contractors can carry out their work safely.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead, supervise and provide direction to Shift Operator Technicians and Auxiliary Plant Operators, prioritising workloads to maximise plant performance against agreed KPIs.
• Support the efficient operation and maintenance of the ERF, maximising waste throughput and energy output wherever possible.
• Take responsibility for the Safe System of Work as Senior Authorised Person (SAP), including the appropriate management of Permits to Work and safety documentation.
• Ensure plant activities are carried out safely and in accordance with relevant health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Complete and review risk assessments to ensure work can be undertaken safely.
• Supervise contractors working on site and ensure visitors and contractors are appropriately inducted.
• Ensure the plant operates within the requirements of its Environmental Permit.
• Monitor plant performance, identify defects and ensure they are appropriately reported and recorded within the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Ensure planned preventative maintenance activities are completed and accurately recorded.
• Lead incident reporting and follow-up investigations where required.
• Act as Incident Controller during emergency situations and emergency plan testing.
• Carry out routine testing of site emergency, safety and environmental procedures.
• Coordinate shift cover to maintain the required operational team, including providing weekend shift cover when required.
• Lead team meetings, briefings and detailed shift handovers to maintain strong communication across the operation.
• Support the development and performance of your team through regular feedback, development discussions and performance reviews.
• Carry out return-to-work discussions following employee absence.
• Work collaboratively with the wider management team to drive continuous improvement across safety, environmental performance, plant reliability and operational efficiency.

You’ll have experience working within a process, power generation, Energy from Waste or similar industrial environment, combined with the confidence and technical knowledge required to lead a shift-based operational team.

Essential:

• Previous process or power plant experience.
• Experience working with Safe Systems of Work, including issuing Permits to Work and associated safety documentation.
• A good understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements within a process or power generation environment.
• Knowledge or experience of maintenance management systems.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using computer-based systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to deliver effective team briefings and detailed shift handovers.
• The ability to produce clear and concise operational reports.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to lead a team and make effective operational decisions in a 24-hour plant environment.

Ideally:

• An ONC/HNC or equivalent engineering qualification.
• A recognised safety qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH.
• Experience coordinating and supervising employees and contractors.
• Experience or knowledge of environmental permitting within an industrial environment.
• Experience using a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Senior Authorised Person (SAP) experience covering Mechanical, HV and LV electrical safety.

We're looking for someone who can combine strong technical knowledge with effective people leadership. You'll be able to remain calm under pressure, make sound decisions and create an environment where everyone takes responsibility for safety and plant performance.

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 are a Great Place to Work There has never been a more exciting time to join Viridor. Following the acquisition of the business by the global private equity firm, KKR, the core business has been reshaped to focus on our leading UK Energy from Waste portfolio.

What we can offer you We invest in our people to reward them for their hard work, and we have a host of company benefits available to you when you join - As an equal opportunities' employer, Viridor is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.

The salary for this role will be circa £70,000 per year, inclusive of shift allowance, and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.