Maintenance Engineer Leader

Essity; New Zealand; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Free annual health checks

Life insurance

Annual Wellness Day

Job summary

Essity is seeking a Maintenance Engineer Leader in Kawerau, New Zealand, to lead a multi-disciplinary maintenance team focused on driving equipment reliability and continuous improvement. This hands-on leadership role aims to build an engaged team and deliver strong operational outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a 24/7 manufacturing environment and a passion for developing high-performing teams. The position offers a competitive salary package between $100,000 and $130,000 per year, along with comprehensive wellbeing benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, including performance management.
• Clear, respectful communicator collaborating effectively across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a multi-disciplinary maintenance team.
• Establish performance management and build team capability.
• Implement proactive maintenance strategies to increase equipment reliability.

Skills

Team leadership

Continuous improvement

Equipment reliability

Performance management

Data analysis

Education

Qualifications in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CMMS (e.g., SAP/IFS/Maximo/Infor)

Root-cause analysis tools (e.g., 5-Why, Fishbone)

Job description

## Maintenance Engineer LeaderApplyremote type: On Sitelocations: Kawerau , New Zealandtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: Essity260206Join Essity’s Kawerau team as our new Maintenance Leader, where you’ll play a key role in driving equipment reliability, continuous improvement, and a positive team culture. As a global leader in hygiene and health, Essity is committed to breaking barriers to well‐being and creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.**About the role**You will lead our Converting maintenance team to deliver safe, high‐quality, cost‐effective, and reliable performance across key manufacturing assets. This is a **hands‐on leadership role,** not hands on tools, where success comes from building a capable, accountable, and engaged team to consistently deliver strong operational outcomes.You’ll shape a practical, long‐term maintenance strategy, embed world‐class engineering practices, develop a high performing team, and help us consistently meet production and improvement goals.**What you will Do*** Lead, develop, and hold accountable a multi-disciplinary maintenance team, building a high-performing, engaged culture aligned to safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.* Establish clear expectations, drive performance management, and build capability through structured coaching, feedback, and development planning.* Lead proactive maintenance strategies that increase equipment availability and reliability, delivering results through strong team execution.* Implement TPM Zero to 100 and Asset Maintenance Management approaches to reduce repeat failures and enhance asset care.* Model and reinforce a zero‐harm safety culture, including effective risk assessment, permits, and LOTO processes.* Apply sound engineering standards, root‐cause analysis, and accurate documentation aligned with OEM and site procedures.* Plan and control maintenance costs through efficient scheduling, smart resource use, and improved spare‐parts management.* Use CMMS and data insights to prioritise work, improve MTBF, reduce MTTR, and prevent recurrence of issues.* Partner with Production, Engineering, RST, and external vendors to align priorities and uplift asset reliability.* Contribute to delivery of the annual production plan and OEE targets while driving continuous improvement through strong team leadership and execution.**About You**You’re an experienced maintenance leader who knows that strong results come from strong teams. You’re passionate about equipment reliability, continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams. You bring:* Proven experience leading and developing teams in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, with a track record of improving team performance, engagement, and capability.* Strong people leadership skills, including performance management, coaching, and building inclusive, high-performing teams.* Qualifications in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent knowledge and skills gained through experience in high‐volume production (FMCG and/or 24/7 operations welcomed).* Skill in both planned and responsive maintenance and confident using CMMS (e.g., SAP/IFS/Maximo/Infor).* Proficient with root‐cause tools (e.g., 5‐Why, Fishbone) and comfortable making decisions using data and evidence.* Clear, respectful communicator who collaborates effectively across teams and with external partners.*Nice to have:* Familiarity with SAP enterprise programs, HSE&R ISO standards, paper manufacturing, condition monitoring, CMRP certification, or CI/Lean methodologies.**What We Offer**Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.* A dynamic team environment built on the foundations of authenticity, respect, and a passion for what we do* A competitive salary package - $100,000 – $130,000 per year (experience based)* Fully funded Wellbeing One Southern Cross medical insurance, with free annual health checks and doctor's appointments* Free income protection, permanent disability, and life insurance* Free Annual Flu Vaccinations, Annual Wellness Day and free onsite parkingReady for your next move? Apply now! Early applications encouraged.