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We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognizable brands such as Thermalite blocks, London Brick, Ecostock, Cradley, Formpave and Jetfloor, Bison Precast.
Our product range comprises of clay bricks, Thermalite blocks, aggregate blocks, Red Bank chimney, roofing and flue systems, precast concrete and flooring products and Formpave permeable paving.
Forterra represents exactly what we do and have always done. Our purpose is to manufacture products that are the essential to the nation’s construction sector, helping our customers build with ease and confidence. Moreover, we continue to lead our industry in terms of standards and safety.
Salary: £50,000 per annum (inclusive of shift allowance)
Working Pattern: Full-Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 42 weekly average. 12-hour days/nights, including weekends (Panama shift).
A bit about the role...
Working within a multidisciplinary maintenance team you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our site’s plant and equipment. Your responsibilities will include carrying out preventative maintenance, responding to breakdowns, developing and implementing facility improvements and assisting with installations of new equipment/machinery during weekly maintenance windows or plant shutdowns.
Our site is an established facility with a unique character, specialising in the production of Thermalite blocks. The manufacturing process creates a distinctive industrial environment that requires adaptability and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
You’ll work closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary team to provide a full spectrum of support during shift or when the plant’s down for maintenance.
Your role will encompass support, problem solving and issue remediation during times of machine failure and breakdown, but will also encompass PPM tasks, maintenance/scheduled replacement of equipment, inspection and monitoring, testing and working on site services, working with contractors and suppliers, identifying and executing improvement activities, assisting with the installation of new equipment/machinery during weekly maintenance windows or plant shutdowns.
The role requires hands-on experience of working with a variety of networked plant systems and PLC’s, control software and hardwired panel and field devices, wiring, and prime movers. Your expertise will contribute to optimising equipment performance and minimising downtime to ensure that the site’s targets are met whilst driving improvements in safety and operational efficiency.
Additionally, your input will support our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and fostering a collaborative team environment. This is a hands-on, proactive position that requires a strong electrical control background and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
You’ll be expected to be flexible in terms of supporting alternative shifts during periods of absence, vacation etc to ensure the plants maintenance requirements are always covered. This could be straight overtime and/or shift swapping and will be agreed by the site’s maintenance leads/management.
A bit about you...
You’ll bring experience, ideally from a manufacturing environment, with a proven track record of maintaining and repairing electrical and control systems. You’ll hold a recognised electrical qualification, such as being apprentice-trained or Level 3 qualified, with practical expertise in fault-finding, diagnosing and resolving electrical and mechanical failures.
You will possess significant hands-on knowledge of working with, interrogating, modifying, trouble shooting and testing of networked PLC’s; understanding their architecture and control software to support improvement and problem identification during machine issues. You will have experience of working safely within control panels and the testing of control devices and wiring - both panel and field, to pinpoint and remediate faults. You will possess a sound knowledge of working with and the testing of, industrial communication systems and protocols, system control and detection devices, prime movers e.g. large braked and unbraked drive motors (configuration, control principles, testing, fault finding), inverter drives (installation, set-up, fault finding), sensing devices and their detection principles (e.g. prox switches, laser detectors, laser measuring sensors, pressure sensors, encoders), field control devices such as solenoid activated hydraulic/pneumatic valves.
You’ll be a proactive problem-solver who can provide engineering support aligned with business needs, ensuring equipment runs efficiently and effectively.
A proactive mindset and tenacity for resolving technical issues will be a significant benefit.
You’ll be self-motivated and able to work independently whilst being able to contribute effectively to the team. Strong communication skills are essential to enable clarity when collaborating and directing colleagues either directly or via radio, providing strategies and status updates to production and engineering management when requested, handing over at shift change.
Safety awareness and attitude towards personal compliance is critical, and you’ll have a clear understanding of general Health and Safety legislation and its practical application in the workplace. Your attention to detail and ability to follow compliance policies will ensure high standards across all aspects of the role.
What we offer...
- Competitive Salary and Benefits package.
- Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution.
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme.
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members.
- Sharesave Scheme eligibility.
- Personal development and opportunities for progression.
- Holiday Exchange scheme.
