Water Utilities Maintenance Manager — Lead Tech Team

South East Water; Detling; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stakeholder pension

Holiday allowance

Flexible leave

Volunteering days

Cycle to work

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Production Manager (Maintenance) to lead a team of Electrical and Mechanical Technicians within the drinking water sector. You will direct reactive and planned maintenance programs, ensure safety, and drive continuous improvement in reliability and service quality.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, and collaboration with schedulers to optimise maintenance across sites, with attendance on standby duties as part of a fluid role.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a multi-skilled technical team.
• Experience with SCADA/PLC processes.
• Strong numeracy and literacy with management training.
• Driving licence and willingness to standby duties.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of planned and reactive maintenance across sites.
• Develop and refine maintenance strategy, processes, and procedures.
• Schedule activities with the Production Work Scheduler and Maintenance Planner.
• Lead safety culture and manage ~6 technicians via one-to-ones and briefs.
• Monitor performance, compliance and water quality for regulatory targets.
• Set and manage operating budget and forecast spend.
• Participate in out-of-hours standby rota.

Skills

Team leadership

SCADA/PLC knowledge

Electrical & mechanical maintenance

Budget management

Communication skills

Education

Secondary education with numeracy & literacy

Management qualification

Tools

SCADA software

PLC programming tools

Job description

South East Water is seeking a Production Manager (Maintenance) to lead a team of Electrical and Mechanical Technicians within the drinking water sector. You will direct reactive and planned maintenance programs, ensure safety, and drive continuous improvement in reliability and service quality.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting, and collaboration with schedulers to optimise maintenance across sites, with attendance on standby duties as part of a fluid role.