Maintenance and Engineering Manager

We are a global chemical manufacturer supplying quality products to customers across Australia and international markets. With strong ongoing demand and a commitment to quality, safety, reliability, and innovation. We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Maintenance and Engineering Manager to lead the maintenance and engineering function at our manufacturing facility located at the South-East of the Melbourne.

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, compliance, and performance of all plant equipment and site infrastructure. You will drive preventive maintenance initiatives, manage engineering improvement projects, oversee contractor performance, and ensure compliance with all statutory and company requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional who is passionate about operational excellence, asset reliability, continuous improvement, and building a strong safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Asset Reliability

• Lead the site's maintenance strategy across production equipment, utilities and infrastructure.

• Develop and optimise preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

• Lead breakdown response, root-cause analysis and reliability improvement initiatives.

• Establish and report maintenance KPIs including downtime, PM compliance, maintenance cost and equipment reliability.

Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• Lead engineering projects, plant upgrades and CAPEX from concept through design, procurement, installation and commissioning.

• Identify opportunities to improve plant safety, productivity, energy efficiency and operating costs.

• Manage project budgets, contractors, schedules and commissioning activities.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all maintenance and engineering activities comply with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company policies.

• Maintain plant compliance relating to pressure vessels, hazardous areas, electrical installations, and statutory inspections.

• Support and promote a proactive safety culture through risk assessments, audits, permit systems, and safe work practices.

• Contribute to environmental and quality management systems and continuous compliance improvement.

Contractor & Team Management

• Manage external contractors and service providers, ensuring safe work practices, performance standards, accountability, reliability and cost effectiveness.

• Develop strong working relationships with operations, quality, safety, and supply chain teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.

• Diverse role encompassing maintenance, engineering, projects, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborative and supportive workplace culture focused on safety and operational excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical, Chemical, Process, or Manufacturing Engineering, or significant experience in a similar maintenance and engineering leadership role.

• Minimum 5+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within the chemical, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or related process industries.

• Strong understanding of maintenance management systems and preventive maintenance programs.

• Proven experience managing engineering and capital projects from concept through to commissioning.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian regulatory requirements, safety standards, and environmental compliance obligations.

• Experience managing contractors, service providers, and technical suppliers.

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Highly developed project management, budgeting, and analytical capabilities.