Plant Manager

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 Tilbury for a Plant Manager to join our team working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

     The salary for this role will be circa £90,000 per year and participation in an annual bonus scheme, in addition to our great range of benefits.

     The closing date for applications is 28th February 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.

Are you a driven operational leader passionate about safety, people, and performance? Join Viridor and play a key role in the UK’s transition to a circular, climate-positive future.

As Plant Manager for our Thameside ERF in Tilbury, you’ll lead safety, operational performance, and people capability whilst preparing the site for full commercial operation. You’ll have P&L ownership, manage budgets, and work closely with construction, engineering, and central teams to embed best-in-class operational readiness.

About Thameside ERF

This new Energy Recovery Facility is under construction and will process up to 350,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste per year, generating enough energy for approximately 93,000 homes. The Plant Manager role is critical in preparing the site for safe, efficient, and sustainable operations ahead of commissioning, and adopting and maintaining Viridor standards, systems and processes into full commercial operation.

What we’re looking for

• Senior leadership experience in a technical or process-driven environment
• Strong operational and financial acumen
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and engage teams
• A focus on safety, compliance, and continuous improvement

Why Viridor

• Be part of a purpose-driven, sustainability-focused company
• Shape the operations of a new world-class facility
• Competitive salary and benefits in a collaborative, high-performing environment

This is a site-based role in Tilbury.

Apply now via the link above and take the next step in your leadership journey with Viridor.

To view the profile, which outlines the person specification and list of responsibilities in full, please click here.  

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.