Auxiliary Plant Operator

Our Vision is to be the UK’s leading innovator of resource recovery and recycling, transforming waste for a climate-positive future.

Are you someone who lives and breathes high performance, leads with ambition, and would like to be part of an organisation that looks after tomorrow?  Viridor has a redefined purpose, a bold Vision, and an ambitious, market-leading strategy. We are investing in the future, and we need a talented team with exceptional people, who believe in each other, to help us achieve this.

Join us, as we rise to the challenge and build a world where nothing goes to waste

Viridor is at the forefront of waste management and resource recovery in the UK, operating the largest network of Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs). We play a crucial role in supporting the UK's climate goals by diverting waste from landfills and transforming it into valuable energy resources. 

We have an opportunity in Ardley for an Auxiliary Plant Operator to join our team working 40 hours per week.

The salary for this role will be £37,472 per year, plus shift allowance (£6,340), and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.

The closing date for applications is 30/10/2026. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early if we receive a high number of applications.

Working as part of a shift team, you’ll play an important role in the safe and efficient day-to-day operation of the facility, helping to maximise plant availability and performance.

Reporting to the Shift Team Leader, this is a varied, hands-on role where you’ll work across the boiler house, turbine hall and wider plant.

What you’ll be doing

As an Auxiliary Plant Operator, your responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out routine plant checks, monitoring machinery and helping to maintain optimum plant performance.
• Supporting the Shift Team with the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
• Recording plant and process changes and providing thorough handovers to the following shift.
• Operating mobile plant and machinery.
• Carrying out frontline maintenance activities to help maximise plant availability.
• Supporting planned and unplanned shutdown activities while helping to minimise plant downtime.
• Assisting with loading and unloading operations.
• Operating the weighbridge, including weighing vehicles and completing the necessary documentation.
• Supervising and coordinating the safe unloading of plant consumables.
• Safely operating an overhead travelling crane.
• Ensuring work is carried out in accordance with safe systems of work, manufacturer guidelines and Viridor procedures.
• Reporting accidents, incidents and near misses in line with company procedures.
• Maintaining high standards of health, safety and environmental compliance at all times.

What we’re looking for

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

• Previous experience working within a process, production or manufacturing environment.
• Experience operating mobile plant.
• An understanding of process or factory machinery.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft applications.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team as well as using your own initiative.
• A resilient, self-motivated and safety-conscious approach.
• GCSEs or equivalent in English and Maths.

It would be great if you also have

The following aren't essential but would be advantageous:

• Previous experience within the waste management or Energy Recovery sector.
• Knowledge of safe systems of work, including plant isolations and safety systems.
• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Experience training new, temporary or existing employees.
• A forklift licence.
• Working at Height training.
• MEWP certification.
• Relevant plant maintenance or operational qualifications.
• A full UK driving licence.

Why join us?

This is a great opportunity for someone with a hands-on operational background who wants to develop their career in a technically interesting plant environment.

You’ll be part of an experienced shift team, working with a wide range of plant and equipment while playing a direct role in keeping the Ardley facility operating safely, efficiently and reliably.

If you have experience in manufacturing, production, process operations or mobile plant and are looking for your next opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

Click apply at the bottom of the page and you will be asked to create a profile. Make sure you have an up-to-date CV ready!

We are a Great Place to Work

There has never been a more exciting time to join Viridor. Following the acquisition of the business by the global private equity firm, KKR, the core business has been reshaped to focus on our leading UK Energy from Waste portfolio.

What we can offer you

We invest in our people to reward them for their hard work, and we have a host of company benefits available to you when you join - take a look at our Rewards and Benefits

As an equal opportunities' employer, Viridor is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply.