Head of Plant Maintenance

The Role

As Head of Plant Maintenance, you will lead the maintenance strategy and delivery across a diverse range of static processing equipment and mobile plant used within our recycling and waste processing facilities throughout Ireland.

You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing maintenance function that drives reliability, operational efficiency and safety across the business.

Working closely with operations leadership, you will ensure our plant and equipment deliver the performance required to support a fast-moving industrial operation.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Asset Management

• Develop and implement a group-wide maintenance strategy to maximise equipment reliability and minimise downtime
• Oversee and continuously improve Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programmes across all sites
• Implement and embed a CMMS system to strengthen asset management, planning and reporting
• Ensure plant and machinery operate at optimal efficiency and lifespan

Operational Performance

• Monitor plant performance across multiple locations
• Identify recurring equipment issues and implement root cause solutions
• Drive improvements in plant uptime, reliability and maintenance efficiency

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a team of maintenance managers, engineers and technicians across multiple sites
• Recruit and build additional capability within the maintenance function where required
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, accountability and safety

Strategic Planning

• Work with senior leadership to support asset investment planning and equipment upgrades
• Provide engineering input into capital projects and operational improvements

Budget & Cost Control

• Prepare and manage the maintenance budget across operations
• Ensure cost-effective allocation of resources while maintaining operational performance

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with Irish regulatory and safety standards
• Promote and maintain a strong health, safety and environmental culture

Supplier & Contractor Management

• Manage relationships with equipment suppliers and external maintenance contractors
• Negotiate service agreements to ensure quality and value

Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed on emerging plant technologies and maintenance best practices
• Drive initiatives that improve plant reliability, efficiency and sustainability

About You

We are looking for a hands-on engineering leader with strong experience in maintaining complex industrial operations.

You will likely bring:

• 8+ years’ experience in maintenance leadership within heavy industry such as waste management, recycling, manufacturing, energy or aggregates
• Proven experience managing multi-site plant maintenance operations
• Strong leadership and people management capability
• Experience implementing or operating CMMS / maintenance management systems
• Strong understanding of preventative maintenance, asset management and plant reliability
• Knowledge of Irish regulatory requirements relating to machinery and industrial operations

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline would be advantageous.

We are Panda. We value waste.

We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.

Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)