Ardley, Oxfordshire, GB
Shift Team Leader
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 a Shift Team Leader to join our team working 40 hours per week, ( 12hr shifts days and nights, 6 till 6.
5 week rolling shift pattern starting on a Monday; 2 days, 2 nights, 5 off, 2 days, 3 nights, 4 off, 3 days, 2 nights, 12 off)
The salary for this role will be £65,363 per year, plus shift allowance, and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.
The closing date for applications is 13/11/2026. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early if we receive a high number of applications.
As a Shift Team Leader, you will provide leadership and direction to the shift team, ensuring the effective operation and maintenance of the facility while maximising waste throughput and energy production. You will also act as the site's Senior Authorised Person (SAP), managing the Safe System of Work and ensuring the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental compliance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading and supervising shift teams to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the ERF plant.
- Maximising plant availability, waste throughput, and energy output in line with operational KPIs.
- Planning and prioritising workloads to achieve optimum process performance.
- Organising shift cover and maintaining appropriate staffing levels.
- Supporting team development through performance reviews, coaching, and personal development planning.
- Conducting return-to-work meetings and managing absence-related processes.
- Managing the site's Safe System of Work as the Senior Authorised Person (SAP).
- Issuing and controlling permits to work and associated safety documentation.
- Undertaking risk assessments and ensuring safe working practices at all times.
- Supervising contractors and ensuring compliance with site procedures.
- Ensuring all visitors and contractors receive site safety inductions.
- Managing emergency response procedures and acting as Incident Controller when required.
- Completing incident investigations and implementing corrective actions.
- Ensuring the facility operates within Environmental Permit requirements at all times.
- Recording plant defects and ensuring planned preventative maintenance tasks are completed and logged within the CMMS system.
- Facilitating regular team briefings and effective shift handovers.
- Driving a culture of continuous improvement across safety, environmental performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Knowledge
- Experience working within a power generation, energy-from-waste, process plant, or similar industrial environment.
- Experience operating within Safe Systems of Work and issuing Permits to Work.
- Strong understanding of health, safety, and environmental compliance within a regulated industrial setting.
- Experience leading teams and coordinating operational activities.
- Knowledge of maintenance management systems and plant maintenance processes.
Essential Skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to lead team briefings and detailed operational handovers.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation abilities.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Good IT and computer literacy.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- ONC, HNC, or equivalent engineering qualification.
- IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent health and safety qualification.
- Experience supervising contractors and shift personnel.
- Understanding of Environmental Permitting and IPPC requirements.
- Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
- Senior Authorised Person (SAP) accreditation with Mechanical, HV and LV electrical safety authorisation.
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.