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 our Beddington ERF for a Shift Team Leader to join our team working 40 hours per week (5 week rolling rota - Days and Nights - 12 hour shifts (06:00 - 06:00) )

The salary for this role will be circa £70,000 per year, inclusive of  shift allowance, and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.

The closing date for applications is 24/10/2026. We encourage all applicants to apply as soon as possible as we may close vacancies early if we receive a high number of applications.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the plant, helping to maximise waste throughput and energy generation while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.

As the Senior Authorised Person (SAP) on shift, you'll play a critical role in managing the Safe System of Work, coordinating operational activities and ensuring employees and contractors can carry out their work safely.

What you'll be doing:

As Shift Team Leader, you'll:

• Lead, supervise and provide direction to Shift Operator Technicians and Auxiliary Plant Operators, prioritising workloads to maximise plant performance against agreed KPIs.
• Support the efficient operation and maintenance of the ERF, maximising waste throughput and energy output wherever possible.
• Take responsibility for the Safe System of Work as Senior Authorised Person (SAP), including the appropriate management of Permits to Work and safety documentation.
• Ensure plant activities are carried out safely and in accordance with relevant health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Complete and review risk assessments to ensure work can be undertaken safely.
• Supervise contractors working on site and ensure visitors and contractors are appropriately inducted.
• Ensure the plant operates within the requirements of its Environmental Permit.
• Monitor plant performance, identify defects and ensure they are appropriately reported and recorded within the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Ensure planned preventative maintenance activities are completed and accurately recorded.
• Lead incident reporting and follow-up investigations where required.
• Act as Incident Controller during emergency situations and emergency plan testing.
• Carry out routine testing of site emergency, safety and environmental procedures.
• Coordinate shift cover to maintain the required operational team, including providing weekend shift cover when required.
• Lead team meetings, briefings and detailed shift handovers to maintain strong communication across the operation.
• Support the development and performance of your team through regular feedback, development discussions and performance reviews.
• Carry out return-to-work discussions following employee absence.
• Work collaboratively with the wider management team to drive continuous improvement across safety, environmental performance, plant reliability and operational efficiency.

What we're looking for:

You'll have experience working within a process, power generation, Energy from Waste or similar industrial environment, combined with the confidence and technical knowledge required to lead a shift-based operational team.

Essential:

You'll bring:

• Previous process or power plant experience.
• Experience working with Safe Systems of Work, including issuing Permits to Work and associated safety documentation.
• A good understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements within a process or power generation environment.
• Knowledge or experience of maintenance management systems.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using computer-based systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to deliver effective team briefings and detailed shift handovers.
• The ability to produce clear and concise operational reports.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The confidence to lead a team and make effective operational decisions in a 24-hour plant environment.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• An ONC/HNC or equivalent engineering qualification.
• A recognised safety qualification such as IOSH or NEBOSH.
• Experience coordinating and supervising employees and contractors.
• Experience or knowledge of environmental permitting within an industrial environment.
• Experience using a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Senior Authorised Person (SAP) experience covering Mechanical, HV and LV electrical safety.

What you'll bring as a leader:

We're looking for someone who can combine strong technical knowledge with effective people leadership. You'll be able to remain calm under pressure, make sound decisions and create an environment where everyone takes responsibility for safety and plant performance.

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.