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Aaron Rayner

Senior Recruitment Partner at Astute People Ltd
4.72
from 124 reviews
85% highly recommended

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Jobs
Head of Engineering
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Renewables Team is partnering with an established business who own and operate an impressive portfolio of anaerobic digestion plants. They are looking for a Head of Engineering to lead all engineering and technical aspects of their food waste AD operations. The ideal candidate will be located within Lincolnshire or the Cambridge area. The strategically important Head of Engineering role comes with a very competitive salary, car allowance and excellent benefits package. If you’re an experienced Engineering Manager with a background in either anaerobic digestion, biogas or a similar processing environment, then submit your CV to apply today.                     Responsibilities and duties of the Head of Engineering role Reporting to the Chief People & Transformation Officer, you will:  
  • Develop and implement the overall engineering strategy for current operations and future AD plant developments
  • Provide technical leadership to mechanical, electrical, civil, and process engineering teams.
  • Align engineering efforts with company objectives on energy output, sustainability, and regulatory compliance
  • Assist Group Projects Manager in design and engineering of new AD plants and major retrofit or expansion projects.
  • Oversee front-end engineering design (FEED), detailed engineering, and commissioning phases.
  • Establish engineering standards, design specifications, and quality control procedures across all sites utilising engineering software system, timely and with accuracy
  • Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and industry regulations (e.g., ATEX, DSEAR, UK EA permitting, etc.).
  • Prepare and manage engineering budgets for capital projects and long-term asset replacement plans.
  • Ensure cost-effective engineering design while maintaining technical performance and reliability
  • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of engineers and field engineers
  • Other duties as required
  Professional qualifications   We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Degree in Mechanical, Process, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering (Master’s preferred).
  • Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent is desirable.
  • IOSH/NEBOSH certificate
  • Full UK Driving Licence
  Personal skills   The Head of Engineering role would suit someone who has:  
  • 5+ years’ engineering experience, including at least 2 years in anaerobic digestion, biogas, wastewater treatment, or a related field.
  • Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Deep understanding of AD process design, CHP systems, gas upgrading, feedstock pre-treatment, and digestate handling.
  • Strong knowledge of industry codes, safety standards (ATEX/DSEAR), and environmental compliance requirements
  • Ability to read and interpret schematics and blueprints
  • Experience of use of industry specific software (AutoCAD, Scada, Shire)
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Ability to explain technical information clearly to stakeholders
  Salary and benefits of the Head of Engineering role  
  • A competitive salary depending on experience
  • Car allowance or company car
  • Private Medical
  • Additional benefits discussed at interview
  • The chance to join an established business within the biogas sector
  INDREN  

Commercial/General Manager - Biogas/food waste
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Power Team is Partnered with an established renewable energy business in the Northeast of England. They are looking to recruit an experienced Commercial/General Manager for their food waste de-packaging and processing site near Middlesborough. The Commercial/General Manager role comes with a competitive salary, bonus, company pension and additional benefits package. If you have commercial experience, along with experience of plant operations within the food waste or biogas sector, then submit your CV to apply today.                     Responsibilities and duties of the Commercial/General Manager role Reporting to the Group Operations Director, you will:  
  • Identify and secure new commercial contracts for waste processing.
  • Strengthen existing client relationships and expand service offerings.
  • Manage the sale of end products to third parties.
  • Liaise with farmers, land agents, and other local stakeholders to maintain positive site relationships
  • Maintain strong relationships with logistics partners to ensure efficient, cost-effective material transport
  • Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations at all times.
  • Lead the EA permit variation process for site expansion and maintain readiness for audits and inspections.
  • Identify and deliver equipment upgrades and site improvements to support future expansion.
  • Manage daily operations at the de-packaging site to deliver consistent throughput, minimal downtime, and high-quality output.
  • Provide operational assistance to the client’s anaerobic digestion site to help it achieve production and performance goals.
  • Other duties as required
  Professional qualifications   We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • A degree or equivalent environmental science/engineering or similar
  • IOSH or NEBOSH
  • Full UK driving licence
  Personal skills   The Commercial/General Manager role would suit someone who is:  
  • Commercially astute and able to develop supplier/client relationships and negotiate contracts
  • Experience in anaerobic digestion, food waste, waste processing or industrial production
  • Experience in feedstock procurement, contract management or logistics
  • Strong understanding of compliance, HSE and environmental regulations
  • Proven site or operations management experience
  • A drive to reduce landfill and create renewable energy from food waste
  Salary and benefits of the Commercial/General Manager role  
  • Competitive salary depending on experience
  • Company pension
  • Bonus
  • The opportunity to join an established business within the renewable energy sector
  INDREN  

Biogas Maintenance Supervisor
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Renewables team is working with a well-established energy from waste business who are fully committed to contributing to a more sustainable world. They are looking to recruit an experienced Biogas Maintenance Supervisor for their site in South London. The Maintenance Supervisor will play an important part in ensuring that the site is maintained safely in legislative compliance, to company standards and in a manner which maximises long term site profitability. The role comes with a salary of up to £60,000 and excellent benefits package. If you’re an experienced Maintenance Supervisor and are looking to work for an innovative business with the renewables sector, upload your CV today.                 Responsibilities and duties of the Biogas Maintenance Supervisor role Reporting to the Plant Manager you will:  
  • Ensuring a safe system of work is implemented and maintained
  • Supervision of all maintenance and project activities (within the role’s remit) to ensure safe working practices.
  • All plant areas and equipment are kept clean, tidy, and safe.
  • Visibly demonstrate that SHEQ will not be compromised by other business needs including promoting & role modelling correct behaviour, addressing unsafe behaviour and substandard conditions.
  • Ensure standard SHEQ and operating procedures are in place and up to date and create a culture of openness and involvement by the team.
  • Responsible for recording all incidents, actively encourage near-miss reporting, reporting to management and implementing corrective actions.
  • Enforce compliance with mandatory rules and address non-compliance issues.
  • Responsible for ensuring the site is compliant with PSSR and LOLER
  • Support site with EA requirements.
  • Other duties as required
  Professional qualifications   We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • City & Guilds level 3 (NVQ-3) in EC&I or equivalent in an engineering discipline
  • CompEX level 04 is advantageous
  • NEBOSH is highly desired
  • Full UK driving licence
  Personal skills   The Biogas Engineering Supervisor role would suit someone who has:  
  • At least 4- 5 years’ experience within anaerobic digestion or a similar processing environment
  • Experience working under a Quality Management System (QMS)
  • Experience within a similar industry working under the remit of COMPEX/ATEX regulations
  • Excellent people management skills
  Salary and benefits of the Biogas Maintenance Supervisor role  
  • A salary of up to £60,000 (depending on experience)
  • Performance related bonus
  • Company benefits package
  • The chance to join an established business within the renewable energy sector
INDREN

Biogas Maintenance Technician
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Renewables Team is partnered with an established anaerobic digestion business who are looking to recruit a Mechanical Maintenance Technician for their site just north of Glasgow. The site is currently benefiting from a substantial upgrade. The Mechanical Maintenance Technician role comes with a salary of up to £41,000, overtime and company benefits. If you’re an experienced Maintenance Technician and are looking to work for an established and growing business, then submit your CV to apply today.                     Responsibilities and duties of the Maintenance Technician role Reporting to the Engineering Manager you will:  
  • Carrying out front line maintenance, such as greasing, unblocking pumps and oil changes.
  • Carrying out day to day preventative maintenance.
  • Responding to breakdowns with extensive fault finding (both electrical and mechanical) using SCADA systems to aid fault finding.
  • Liaise with operations teams and support with operations when required.
  • Collect and maintain documentation to meet safety, quality, compliance and legislation.
  • Assume other responsibilities from time to time in order to support objectives and personal career development.
  • Be willing to form part of a call out rota.
  • Be willing work overtime or shifts as required.
  • Other duties as required
  Professional qualifications   We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • Minimum served in a mechanical apprenticeship, or a recognised Engineering qualification  
  • Full UK driving licence
  Personal skills   The Maintenance Technician role would suit someone who is:  
  • Experience working in Anaerobic Digestion or a similar processing environment such as EFW, Biomass, water treatment.
  • Experience carrying out first line maintenance on process plant such as pumps & conveyors is an advantage.
  • Ability to read P&ID’s.
  • Experienced in fault finding techniques and continuous improvement methodologies
  • Knowledge of SCADA/DCS systems
  • Ability to analyse data, report findings and recommend improvement actions.
  • An excellent attitude and work ethic
  • Proficient in Microsoft word excel etc
  Salary and benefits of the Maintenance Technician role  
  • Salary of up to £41,000
  • Overtime opportunities
  • Company benefits package
  • The chance to join an established business within the renewable energy sector
INDREN    

Biogas Sales Manager
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Renewables Team is partnering with a leading engineering solutions provider within the biogas and wider renewable energy sector, known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and professional development, to recruit a Sales Manager covering East Midlands and Yorkshire. The strategically significant Sales Manager role offers a salary between £50,000-£60,000 including, commission, company car, private healthcare and pension. If you’re a Sales Manager looking to join an organisation that places integrity, technical excellence, and people at the heart of its work, submit your CV today. Responsibilities and duties of the Sales Manager role Reporting to the Biogas Sector Sales Lead, you will:
  • Develop and manage long-term relationships with new and existing customers across Scotland and the North of England.
  • Lead sales activity for the full product portfolio within the biogas market, including equipment for feed systems, pumping, maceration, and separation.
  • Act as a trusted technical advisor to customers, ensuring solutions are well-matched to operational and commercial needs.
  • Collaborate closely with the wider biogas sales team to coordinate strategy, share market intelligence and support joint initiatives.
  • Maintain oversight of regional sales activity, covering new plant development, retrofit projects and aftermarket opportunities.
  • Identify, pursue, and convert new business opportunities with plant operators, developers, consultants and EPC partners.
Professional qualifications We are looking for someone with:
  • Proven technical sales experience in renewables, biogas or the wider energy sector
  • Strong understanding of pumps, feedstock systems and AD process equipment
  • Solid knowledge of biogas policy, regulation, incentives and market trends
  • Strong commercial awareness and negotiation ability
  • Credibility when engaging with operators, developers, consultants and industry bodies
  • A well-established biogas network (ideal but not essential)
  • A degree in Engineering, Business or similar (preferred, not required)
Personal skills The Sales Manager role would suit someone who is:
  • Confident engaging with technical and commercial stakeholders.
  • Able to explain complex technical solutions clearly and with authority.
  • Results-driven, self-motivated and proactive in identifying opportunities.
  • Skilled in developing trust, building rapport and creating long-term partnerships.
  • Collaborative and able to work effectively as part of a wider sales and engineering team.
Salary and benefits of the Sales Manager – Biogas role
  • £50,000- £60,000
  • Commission structure
  • Company vehicle
  • Private medical scheme
  • Enhanced employer pension contributions
  • Flexible working arrangements

Regional Biogas Compliance Officer
PERMANENT
  • TERMS: permanent
Astute’s Renewable Energy team is partnering with a UK leading business in anaerobic digestion that provides cost-effective, low carbon, food and organic waste management. We are looking to recruit a Regional Compliance Officer to support with our clients’ sites located in Wales, the Midlands, the Southeast and West Region.   The vital Regional Compliance Officer role comes with a salary of up to £45,000 (depending on experience), a discretionary bonus, pension, life assurance, ongoing training, development and progression.   If you’re an experienced Compliance Officer and are looking to work for one of the largest Biogas operators in the UK and are a cutting edge, bold and inspirational business, then upload your CV to apply today. .                     Responsibilities and duties of the Regional Compliance Officer role Reporting to the Environmental Permitting Manager you will:  
  • Leading in external inspections/visits from regulatory bodies. (EA/HSE/APHA/PLA)
  • Carrying out integrated management system audits (IMS, i.e. ISO and PAS 110 re-certification audits).
  • Drafting responses and identifying pragmatic and cost-effective solutions.
  • Completing annual reports, pollution inventory and improvement condition returns for the sites as required by the permits.
  • Completing and submitting permit variations and renewals to the EA and APHA.
  • The development and review of relevant risk assessments, SOPs, training and driving safety improvements throughout the business.
  • Other duties as require
Professional qualifications   We are looking for someone with the following:  
  • NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) in Health & Safety and/or Environmental Management qualification (IEMA, CEnv)
  • Full UK Driving License
Personal skills   The Regional Compliance Officer role would suit someone who is:  
  • Experience with ISO and NEBOSH standards.
  • Previous experience working in an environmental compliance or health and safety role.
  • A passion for the environment and being involved in its upkeep.
  • The willingness to travel between sites multiple times per week.
Salary and benefits of the Regional Compliance Officer role  
  • Salary of up to £45,000
  • Car allowance
  • Pension scheme
  • Healthcare
  • Life assurance
  • The chance to join a leader in the renewable energy sector
 INDREN