Mechanical Maintenance Technician
Application Deadline: 3 December 2025
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: British Salt - Middlewich, Cheshire
Compensation: GBP 45,980 / year
Description
Mechanical Maintenance Technician/Relief team leader
Founded in science, deep rooted in values and driven forward by our amazing people, here at Tata Chemicals Europe, the UKs leading manufacturer of food and pharmaceutical grade salt, we're committed to delivering premium products with excellent customer service, whilst also caring for our local community and environment. We are also a leading producer of Sodium bicarbonate.
Located in Middlewich, Cheshire, we are proud of our British Salt business producing approx. 400,00 tonnes of salt each year which is used for pharma, food, water-softening and industrial uses such as de-icing.
What's the role?
The mechanical maintenance team at our Middlewich site are seeking qualified technicians with experience of mechanical maintenance, rigging & lifting and fabrication, ideally gained in a heavy industrial environment.
In addition to technical and being hands on, our ideal candidate would be someone who is operating as a mechanical technician and who has been a team leader previously or who is a deputy team leader in their current role. The relief team leader role attracts an allowance on top of the advertised salary.
The role is Monday to Friday (7.30am to 3.30pm) with out of hours on call cover as part of a team on rotation.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include -
* Maintaining, overhauling and repairing plant and equipment
* Carrying out statutory overhauls
* Delivering and executing planned preventive maintenance routines & inspections
* Minimising downtime and maximizing production reliability
* Providing out of hours on call cover as part of a team on rotation (our salary is inclusive of an allowance for being on call, overtime is paid if called in)
And deputizing for the maintenance team leader which involves -
* Attending and contributing to morning and afternoon planning meetings
* Prioritizing and distributing daily jobs within the team
* Liaise with contractors in the Team Leader's absence
* Ensure high H&S and engineering standards are maintained at all times
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Our ideal candidate?
Is someone who has a 'can do' attitude and strong a commitment to working safely, who understands that equipment availability is a priority for a 24 x7 manufacturing process.
* You should have completed an Apprenticeship to NVQ Level 3 /ONC standards in a relevant Mechanical discipline.
* Have experience with installation of pipework, rotating machinery, pack lines, centrifugal pumps and industrial sized fans.
* Have rigging experience, lifting and slinging using overhead cranes and other manual handling lifting equipment.
* Have experience in working with bucket elevators, band conveyors and drag link conveyors.
* Are competent in the use of all hand tools.
* Have experience in vessel work, opening up and preparation for pressure vessel inspections.
* Understand and work from basic engineering drawing.
* Have fabrication skills including arc welding, oxy fuel burning etc.
* Have experience and knowledge of steam turbines, hydraulics, pneumatic, Compressors, welding and FLT experience would also be an advantage.
* Undertaken team leader duties and supported the maintenance management team with planning and resourcing tasks.
What are the perks?
Our people have always been at the centre of the company's success and in return for their hard work and commitment, we offer a generous benefits package including:
* 37 days holidays per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays
* Roll over of up to 5 days and salary sacrifice holiday purchase scheme
* An additional paid day off each year to volunteer for a good cause in the local community
* 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
* Excellent contributory Pension scheme up to 9% company contribution
* Life insurance
* Healthcare cash back scheme