Maintenance Leader – Converting Team

About the role

Essity is seeking a Maintenance Leader for its Kawerau converting plant. The role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on leadership to drive equipment reliability, safety and continuous improvement across key manufacturing assets.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, develop and hold accountable a multi‑disciplinary maintenance team, fostering a safety‑first, high‑performance culture.
• Define and execute proactive maintenance strategies, including TPM and Asset Maintenance Management, to increase equipment availability.
• Implement zero‑harm safety practices, risk assessments, permits and LOTO procedures.
• Apply engineering standards, root‑cause analysis and OEM procedures to reduce repeat failures.
• Plan and control maintenance budgets, optimise scheduling and spare‑parts management.
• Utilise CMMS and data analytics to prioritise work, improve MTBF, reduce MTTR and prevent issue recurrence.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, RST and external vendors to align priorities and enhance asset reliability.
• Support delivery of the annual production plan and OEE targets through continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading maintenance teams in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Strong people‑leadership skills, including performance management, coaching and building inclusive teams.
• Qualifications in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience in high‑volume production.
• Demonstrated ability to improve team performance, engagement and capability.

Required skills

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• CMMS (e.g., SAP, IFS)
• Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
• Asset Maintenance Management
• Root‑cause analysis
• Reliability engineering
• OEE, MTBF and MTTR improvement