Maintenance Manager

Hempel Group; Darwen; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global supplier of coating solutions is seeking a Maintenance Manager for their Darwen manufacturing sites. The ideal candidate will lead all maintenance activities, ensuring equipment reliability and compliance with safety standards. Applicants should have experience in engineering or maintenance management, complemented by strong leadership and analytical skills. A degree or apprenticeship in engineering is essential, while a NEBOSH Certificate is preferred. This role offers the chance to impact operational excellence in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Opportunities for global career progression

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an engineering or maintenance management role within manufacturing.
• Strong planning, analytical, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing budgets, costs, and engineering performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop all site maintenance activities.
• Manage asset reliability and minimize unplanned downtime.
• Own the maintenance budget and contractor costs.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Budget management

Continuous improvement

Education

Engineering degree/Engineering Apprenticeship

NEBOSH Certificate

Job description

## **Maintenance Manager – Manufacturing**As **Maintenance Manager**, you’ll lead all maintenance activities across our Darwen manufacturing sites, covering mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, utilities, and facilities. You’ll work closely with Production, Engineering, HSE, Finance, and external contractors to ensure equipment reliability, safe operations, and continuous improvement.You’ll know you’re succeeding when downtime is reduced, safety standards are uncompromising, your team is engaged and developing, and engineering performance consistently supports production and business goals.**Key responsibilities include:*** Leading and developing all site maintenance activities, including preventive and predictive maintenance strategies* Managing asset reliability, minimising unplanned downtime, and leading root cause analysis on failures* Owning the maintenance budget, spares strategy, contractor costs, and CAPEX delivery* Supporting new equipment installation, commissioning, and factory upgrades* Leading, coaching, and developing a multi-disciplinary maintenance team and external partners* Ensuring full compliance with UK health, safety, and environmental legislation (including PUWER, LOLER, COSHH, DSEAR, ATEX)* Driving engineering KPIs aligned to business strategy and embedding 6S as part of the engineering culture* Acting as a visible leader within site safety culture and audit readinessWe’re focused on capability and experience rather than a long wish-list.The essentials are:* Proven experience in an engineering or maintenance management role within (ideally) manufacturing* Engineering degree/Engineering Apprenticeship with equivalent practical experience* Strong leadership, influencing, and delegation skills* NEBOSH Certificate (or equivalent H&S qualification) preffered though not essential* Experience managing budgets, costs, and engineering performance* Strong planning, analytical, communication, and presentation skillsYou’ll be someone who leads by example and takes pride in both your work and your team. You’re confident challenging existing practices, open to new ideas, and comfortable leading change in a structured, people-centred way.You’ll succeed here if you:* Create a culture where teams feel empowered, supported, and accountable* Communicate clearly and honestly, including when conversations are difficult* Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence* Balance high standards with a pragmatic, customer-focused mindset* Build trust, collaboration, and mutual respect across teams* Act as a positive ambassador for **Crown Paints** and our brandsIf you’re ready to take ownership of engineering performance, safety, and people development in a critical manufacturing role, we’d love to hear from you.Application due2026-02-27Seniority LevelMid-Senior levelJob FunctionsEngineeringIndustryChemicals*Crown Paints is one of UK’s most renown paint manufacturers and we have been manufacturing for over 200 years, with over 60 years proudly holding the Royal Warrant. However, what really sets Crown apart is the support we provide for cultural, humanitarian and scientific causes across the world through our ownership structure. Crown Paints is part of the Hempel Group, which gives our company stability and our employees extended, global career possibilities. *Hempel is a world-leading supplier of trusted coating solutions working with customers within the decorative, marine, infrastructure and energy industries. Our purpose is to shape a brighter future with sustainable coating solutions, and being owned by the Hempel Foundation gives us the stability, means and purpose to deliver lasting, positive change in the world.The Hempel Group is the owner and parent company of **Crown Paints**, **Wattyl and the Neogard brand**.