Dan Grosvenor

Astute People are currently recruiting a Deputy Operations Manager to join the operations department of a large Energy from Waste plant in Kent.  This plant can produce up to 45MW of Power by processing up to 550,000 tonnes of waste per year, usually destined for landfill. The Deputy Operations Manager will support with the day to day running of the Operations Team, ensuring safe & efficient operation of the plant. If you have the right qualifications and experience, please apply.  Responsibilities and duties: As the Deputy Operations Manager you will be responsible for:

• Supporting the Operations Manager in the safe, compliant and efficient running of the Energy from Waste Power Station.
• Providing Senior Authorised Persons duties up to 33kV and assistance for LV apparatus and mechanical plant.
• Leading the Day Operations department.
• Providing leadership during outages and supporting HVSP and SAP activities
• Supervising and directing contractors.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives across safety, training, housekeeping and operational performance.
• Ensuring compliance with site safety rules, policies, procedures and Environmental Permit conditions.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• Ideally apprenticeship trained at Level 3 in a relevant Engineering field
• Qualified with a HNC, ONC or HND in a relevant Engineering field.
• Certified IOSH or NEBOSH holder.
• Certified Senior Authorised Person up to 33kV (or higher)

Personal skills The Deputy Operations Manager role would suit someone with/who:

• At least five years supervisory or management experience
• At least five years industry experience in Energy from Waste, Biomass or in a similar environment such as Gas Fired Power Station, COMAH, Refinery, Petrochemical, Water Treatment,  etc
• Strong knowledge of relevant H&S legislation
• Has experience working with permit-to-work and similar safe systems of work
• IT competent

Salary and benefits of the Deputy Operations Manager role

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus Opportunity
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Wellbeing Package

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Astute People are working exclusively with a leading O&M Contractor who operate a Biomass plant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The plant produces around 40MW of power by burning wood waste pellets. As an Operations Technician you will be responsible for the safe & efficient operation of the plant, ensuring compliance with environmental permits and performing first line maintenance. The plant runs 24/7 365 days a year so you will be working a mixture of day & night shifts. If you have the relevant experience (please see below) and are looking for a rewarding role in the Power sector, then please apply. Responsibilities and duties of the Operations Technician role Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Operate the plant in a safe and efficient manner which includes during normal running, start-ups, and shutdowns along with emergency situations.
• Monitor the plant through the distributed control system (DCS) to ensure regular supply of fuel into the boiler, maintaining steam pressure and production of power in line with contractual obligations for the client.
• Ensure the operational demands of the plant are met along with monitoring the plants emissions to comply with the Environmental Permit and reporting any issues to the Shift Manager.
• Support the maintenance team during outages / shutdowns.
• Assist with developing operating procedures.
• Work within the company’s safe systems of work, SHEQ systems and relevant legislation.
• Conduct front line maintenance, plant inspections, fault finding and fault reporting.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• A recognised qualification in engineering at Level 3 (C&G, ONC, NVQ, SVQ) level or higher; other qualifications below this will be considered with extensive experience
• Ideally qualified with an IOSH or NEBOSH or equivalent in Health & Safety
• Completed a recognised Engineering Apprenticeship

Personal skills The Operations Technician role would suit someone who has:

• At least three years process operations experience
• Competent at working on SCADA / PLC / DCS systems
• Previous experience working in a control room environment, ideally with steam plant including boilers, heat recovery steam generators, turbines, and associated equipment.
• Practical knowledge of process plant and equipment gained in an industry such as Energy from Waste, Biomass, Coal, CCGT, Nuclear / Power Generation, Petrochemical or Oil & Gas etc ideally with Steam Raising plant.
• Marine Engineers from Merchant Fleet or Royal Navy will be considered

Salary and benefits of the Operations Technician role

• Industry competitive salary
• Health Care plan
• Pension matched up to 6%
• Bonus opportunity
• Further full company benefits

INDPOW  

 

Astute’s Power Team are working with the developers of a major Waste-to-Energy power generation project in the UK. As part of the operational leadership structure for the facility, they are looking to recruit a Maintenance Manager to take responsibility for maintenance department, focusing on plant availability, reliability and performance.  The new build facility, located in Irvine, North Ayrshire, when complete can produce ~17MW of power through the incineration of ~180,000 tonnes of waste per year. This project is expected to shortly enter commissioning phase and be operational in 2027. The Maintenance Manager will lead the Maintenance Strategy, managing multi-discipline Technicians and ensuring the facility operates in full compliance with environmental permits and regulatory requirements. If you’re interested and have the right skillset then please apply. Responsibilities and duties of the Maintenance Manager role: Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Manage and run the maintenance department comprising of multi skilled engineers and technicians.
• Management of the sites CMMS system implementing planned preventative maintenance requirements whilst ensuring safe and efficient plant operation.
• Plan, manage and execute outage / shutdowns working closely with the site engineers.
• Manage and control maintenance sub-contractors.
• Manage the department’s budget and report on budget performance in line with accounting practices.
• Ensuring all activities are carried out to the highest standard of health and safety.
• Developing the sites maintenance & safety procedures including liaising with the EPC Warranty Team to ensure compliance.
• Take an active part in the plant mobilisation and commissioning activities including staff recruitment and training.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• Ideally qualified with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Mechanical biased would be advantageous
• HNC / HND / ONC Engineering qualifications will also be considered with relevant experience
• IOSH or NEBOSH would be advantageous

Personal skills The Maintenance Manager role would suit someone who has:

• At least five years maintenance / engineering management experience on a large process plant, ideally Power Generation - Candidates from other sources of Power, Utilities, Refineries, Petrochemical, COMAH etc will also be considered
• Ideally you will have extensive experience of hands on maintenance in power generation, preferably with solid knowledge of pressure parts systems, rotating plant, steam plant and boilers
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including PSSR, LOLER, PUWER etc
• Extensive plant outage experience
• Experience in plant mobilisation / seeing plants through commissioning to handover will be deemed highly advantageous.

Salary and benefits of the Plant Manager role

• Highly competitive salary (ask for further details)
• Bonus Package
• Pension
• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunity to join a brand new Energy from Waste Plant

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Astute People are working exclusively with a leading Energy from Waste Operator to recruit a Maintenance Manager for their new build plant in Walsall. This facility has capacity to process 436,000 tonnes of waste per year, generating nearly 50MW of power for the surrounding area. We are looking for an experienced Maintenance Manager to lead the day-to-day Maintenance and Engineering activities on site, ensuring key performance indicators are met and that the plant is run in a safe and efficient manner whilst aligning production with the short & long-term strategy of the station to maximise plant reliability and efficiency. If you have the relevant experience (please see below) and are looking for a rewarding role in the Power sector, then please apply. Responsibilities and duties of the Maintenance Manager role: Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Manage and run the maintenance department comprising of multi skilled engineers and technicians.
• Management of the sites CMMS system implementing planned preventative maintenance requirements whilst ensuring safe and efficient plant operation.
• Plan, manage and execute outage / shutdowns working closely with the site engineers.
• Manage and control maintenance sub-contractors.
• Manage the department’s budget and report on budget performance in line with accounting practices.
• Ensuring all activities are carried out to the highest standard of health and safety.
• Developing the sites maintenance & safety procedures including liaising with the EPC Warranty Team to ensure compliance.
• Take an active part in the plant mobilisation and commissioning activities including staff recruitment and training.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• Ideally qualified with a degree in a relevant engineering field
• Apprentice trained in an Engineering discipline
• Relevant qualification in Health & Safety such as an IOSH / NEBOSH
• Full UK Driving licence

Personal skills The Operations Manager role would suit someone who has:

• At least five years maintenance / engineering management experience on a large process plant, ideally Power Generation - Candidates from other sources of Power, Utilities, Refineries, Petrochemical, COMAH etc will also be considered
• Ideally you will have extensive experience of hands on maintenance in power generation, preferably with solid knowledge of pressure parts systems, rotating plant, steam plant and boilers
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including PSSR, LOLER, PUWER etc
• Extensive plant outage experience
• Has experience in plant mobilisation / seeing plants through commissioning to handover will be deemed highly advantageous.

Salary and benefits of the Maintenance Manager role

• Highly competitive salary (ask for further details)
• Bonus Package
• Pension
• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunity to join a brand new Energy from Waste Plant

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Astute’s Power Team are working with one of the country’s leading Waste Management companies and supporting the recruitment of their newest Energy from Waste facility. The Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant is currently under construction, and when complete will be exporting ~70MW of electricity to the grid, processing circa 600,000 tonnes of waste per year. We are looking for a Mechanical Maintenance Team Leader to join the Maintenance Team of this exciting project. As a Mechanical Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the Mechanical Department to ensure reactive and preventative maintenance is scheduled and actioned in a timely manner to maximise plant reliability & availability. You’ll also be involved with supporting commissioning activities and working towards the plants operational handover. If you’re interested and have the right skillset then please apply. Responsibilities and duties of the Mechanical Maintenance Team Leader role: Reporting directly to the Maintenance Manager, as a Mechanical Team Leader, you will be responsible for:

• Scheduling, planning and optimising all mechanical maintenance activities in a safe and efficient manner
• ?Supervising and directing contractors.
• Working closely with the operations department to assess and review plant performance shortfalls and how these can be rectified
• ??????Manage and oversee the development and implementation of modifications and site improvement projects.
• Support the Maintenance Manager and work alongside the other Departmental Team Leaders in planning outages, managing site support service agreements and deputise for the Maintenance Manager.
• Ensuring that all activities are carried out in a safe manner and in line with company Health, Safety and Environmental policies.
• Leading and managing a team of mechanical technicians to ensure the plant is maintained to the highest standard to ensure maximum plant availability

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• A recognised qualification in Mechanical engineering at ideally HNC / ONC / HND level.
• Ideally qualified with an IOSH or equivalent with an appreciation of workplace Health & Safety including knowledge of Safe Systems of Work, LOTO, Isolations, SOP's, RAMS.
• Recognised Mechanical Maintenance Apprenticeship.

Personal skills The Mechanical Maintenance Team Leader role would suit someone who has:

• At least three years supervisory experience
• A further 3 - 5 years minimum in a hands on technical role working on mechanical plant
• Proven experience in coordinating and scheduling maintenance work
• Familiar with Health & Safety Regulations such as LOLER, PUWER & PSSR.
• Hands on experience with a range of equipment including boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, compressors, conveyors, gearboxes etc.
• Practical knowledge of process plant and equipment gained in an industry such as Power Generation, Petrochemical or Oil & Gas etc. Marine Engineers from Merchant Fleet or Royal Navy will be considered.
• Involvement in plant mobilisation and commissioning is desirable but not essential.

Salary and benefits of the Mechanical Technician role

• A competitive salary
• Site bonus up to 12%
• Overtime
• A contributory pension
• Opportunity to work on one of the newest Energy from Waste plants in the UK

INDPOW

Astute’s Power Team are working with a global technical services and engineering consultancy to recruit for a Principal Integrity Engineer, specialising in Pressure Systems, to join their expanding Asset Integrity management team. This is a senior, permanent opportunity where you’ll lead the delivery of high-value engineering solutions, supporting major clients across the Conventional Power and Clean Energy sectors — including CCGT, Biomass and Energy from Waste facilities. If you would like to discuss this role & the package available, please get in touch. Responsibilities and duties of the Principal Integrity Engineer role: You will be responsible for:

• Carrying out integrity assessments of defective or degraded power plant components operating at both low and high temperatures, using techniques such as reverse engineering calculations, fracture mechanics and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and standards, including the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR).
• Supporting and delivering power plant inspections, including steam and water pressure parts, boiler tube surveys and structural/support assessments.
• Evaluating materials performance, degradation mechanisms and remaining life to inform asset management decisions.
• Providing mechanical engineering expertise to support plant operations, maintenance and long-term reliability.
• Developing and implementing risk-based inspection (RBI) strategies.
• Reviewing inspection findings and making informed run / repair / replace recommendations.
• Producing clear, high-quality technical reports and project deliverables within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Preparing technical proposals, tender submissions and supporting business development activities.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of industry standards, legislation and best practice.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• At minimum a degree in mechanical engineering or similar
• Ideally qualified with a masters
• Chartered Engineer or working towards professional registration is desirable

Personal skills The Principal Integrity Engineer role would suit someone who has:

• Extensive Power Generation experience is a must, ideally at minimum 10 years
• Familiar with Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 and other relevant legislation
• Experience with Integrity assessment of defective power plant components – low and high temperature (e.g. reverse code calculation, fracture mechanics, finite element analysis).
• Strong organisational and project management skills

Salary and benefits of the Principal Integrity Engineer role

• Competitive Salary
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Ad-hoc travel across UK & Europe
• Profit share.
• Company pension contributions.
• Private medical insurance.
• Health and wellbeing – digital GP, access to wellbeing app and support.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• Sustainable benefits such as salary sacrifice electric vehicles and cycle to work schemes.

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Astute People are currently recruiting an Electrical Engineer to join the maintenance department of a large Energy from Waste plant in Kent. 

This plant can produce up to 45MW of Power by processing up to 550,000 tonnes of waste per year, usually destined for landfill. The Electrical Engineer will play an integral part in ensuring the plants electrical systems are maintained and in working order to ensure maximum plant availability. If you have the right qualifications and experience, please apply.   

What will I be doing? 

Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, typical duties will include:

• Leading and managing a team of electrical technicians to ensure the plant is maintained to the highest standard to ensure maximum plant availability
• Holding the position of Senior Authorised Person (SAP) working on both LV and HV electrical systems
• Scheduling, planning and optimising all electrical maintenance activities in a safe and efficient manner
• Supervising and directing contractors.
• Working closely with the operations department to assess and review plant performance shortfalls and how these can be rectified
• Assisting in the setting up and development of the sites Computerized Maintenance Management System
• Ensuring that all activities are carried out in a safe manner and in line with company Health, Safety and Environmental policies. 

 

Skills & Qualifications

We are looking for someone with the following:

• Ideally a recognised qualification in electrical engineering at HND/HNC/ONC level or equivalent
• Extensive knowledge and experience with a range of electrical plant including HV switchgear, transformers, motors, generators and variable speed drives etc
• Practical knowledge of process plant and equipment gained in an industry such as power generation, steel, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, refining etc.
• Experience in leading a team of technicians in daily maintenance practices and procedures 

What’s in it for me?  Successful candidates will receive:

• A highly competitive salary
• A performance related bonus paid quarterly
• Company pension
• A chance to join the growing EFW industry

INDPOW

Astute People are working exclusively with a leading Energy from Waste Operator to recruit an Operations Manager for their new build plant in Walsall. This facility has capacity to process 436,000 tonnes of waste per year, generating nearly 50MW of power for the surrounding area. We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day Operational activities on site, ensuring key performance indicators are met and that the plant is run in a safe and efficient manner whilst aligning production with the short & long-term strategy of the station. If you have the relevant experience (please see below) and are looking for a rewarding role in the Power sector, then please apply. Responsibilities and duties of the Operations Manager role: Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will be responsible for:

• Overall responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the plant
• The day to day management of 20 + operations staff including shift teams and operations day staff
• Ensuring the facility operates and complies within environmental regulations at all times
• Liaising with the Maintenance Manager and other relevant personnel regarding projects maintenance, outages, and programming of plant improvements
• Overseeing 3rd party contractors
• Preparing the annual budget for the operations department for review and work within this budget
• Liaising with company directors and managers as well as external stakeholders
• Working with the Facility Manager and Maintenance Manager in the recruitment of staff
• Deputising for the Facility Manager when required

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• Ideally qualified with a degree in a relevant engineering field
• Apprentice trained in an Engineering discipline
• Relevant qualification in Health & Safety such as an IOSH / NEBOSH
• Full UK Driving licence

Personal skills The Operations Manager role would suit someone who has:

• At least five years operational / engineering management experience on a large process plant, ideally Power Generation - Candidates from other sources of Power, Utilities, Refineries, Petrochemical, COMAH etc will also be considered
• At least five years in a senior position with supervisory experience as well as budget / commercial experience (forecasting, P/L, contract management).
• Has experience in plant mobilisation / seeing plants through commissioning to handover will be deemed highly advantageous.

Salary and benefits of the Operations Manager role

• Highly competitive salary (ask for further details)
• Bonus Package
• Pension
• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunity to join a brand new Energy from Waste Plant

#INDPOW #LI-DG1  

Astute People’s Power Team are exclusively working with the South Clyde Energy Centre who will be operating a brand new Energy from Waste Power Station. The plant, currently under construction, is capable of processing up to 350,000 tonnes of waste per year, producing power for up to 70,000 homes. We are looking for a Senior Purchaser to join the Maintenance Teams support function on this brand new facility. As a Senior Purchaser (Technical Procurement Officer) you’ll be responsible for overseeing the Procurement function on site. This includes collaborating with the Plant Management Team to ensure that all operational purchases of services, materials and equipment will be made in line with the wider business processes. If you have the relevant experience (please see below) and are looking for a rewarding role in the Power sector, then please apply. Responsibilities and duties: As the Senior Purchaser you will be responsible for:

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with site and project requirements.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFQs, tenders, supplier negotiations, and contract execution.
• Process purchase orders in line with agreed timelines, contracts, and procurement procedures.
• Collaborate with technical and management teams to define requirements and translate specifications into purchasing plans.
• Support demand planning and ensure procurement activities are communicated, approved, and processed correctly.
• Build and manage supplier relationships, ensuring performance, communication, and issue resolution.
• Maintain transparency of order status, managing delays, deviations, and escalations where required.
• Validate invoices against purchase orders and contracts, resolving discrepancies to ensure timely payment.
• Monitor spend, KPIs, and procurement data to support reporting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and procurement standards.

Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with the following:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is desirable.
• Demonstrable experience in a procurement or purchasing role, ideally within a technical, engineering, or industrial environment.
• Experience working within regulated industries (e.g., energy, manufacturing, infrastructure) is advantageous.

Personal skills The Senior Purchaser would suit someone with:

• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and translate into procurement requirements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Analytical mindset with experience in data, KPIs, and reporting.
• Problem-solving ability with a proactive and solution-focused approach.
• Ability to build and maintain effective supplier relationships.
• High attention to detail and commitment to compliance and accuracy.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work both independently and within a team.

Salary and benefits of the Senior Purchaser role

• Competitive salary
• Bonus Opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to join a new build Energy from Waste plant

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