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Shift Team Leader, Riverside

  • Operations
  • Belvedere (Riverside Energy from Waste)

Join Cory as a Shift Team Leader at Riverside EfW, leading safe, efficient plant operations and driving sustainability.

Job description

Cory is one of the UK’s leading waste management and recycling companies.

We are currently recruiting for the position of Shift Team Leader at our Energy from Waste Facility in Belvedere Kent.

Using waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill as fuel to generate electricity. The facility generates c.575,000MWh of electricity each year from processing c.800,000 tonnes of waste. The company uses the river Thames as a green highway to move waste from London on tugs and barges, effectively removing 100,000 truck movements a year off roads. By generating electricity from residual waste, the plant is improving resource efficiency, avoiding landfill use, and achieving greater sustainability as part of London’s circular economy.

The Shift Team Leader is responsible for the effective management of shift operations at the Energy from Waste facility, ensuring the plant runs safely and efficiently during all operational states, including steady state, start-up, shutdown, and emergencies. The role demands strict adherence to Health, Safety, Environmental, and Operational procedures, with a focus on maintaining compliance with legislative and company standards. The Shift Team Leader also supports the Permit Office Coordinator by enforcing site safety rules, particularly during planned outages and maintenance periods, thereby safeguarding all staff, contractors, and visitors.

In addition, the Shift Team Leader is tasked with developing and maintaining clear operational instructions and comprehensive risk assessments to guide the team’s activities. They act as Incident Controller during emergencies, taking decisive action to protect people, plant, and the environment. Accurate shift reporting and thorough handovers are essential elements of the role, ensuring operational continuity and accountability across the facility’s 24/7 schedule. This position is central to fostering a culture of safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement within the team.

Key elements of the role:

The successful candidate will:

  • Oversee and support the safe and efficient operation of all plant equipment, including diagnostics and defect rectification.

  • Ensure strict compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations, including site security and hazard management.

  • Act as Incident Controller in emergencies, coordinating response efforts and conducting regular Emergency Response training.

  • Conduct thorough plant inspections, pre-start checks, and operational logging to maintain high standards of plant performance.

  • Monitor plant consumables and coordinate maintenance activities to minimise downtime and optimise production targets.

  • Assist with planned and forced outages, managing work orders and shift routines to ensure operational continuity.

  • Lead, supervise, and develop the shift team, ensuring compliance with personnel procedures and effective training delivery.

  • Review team performance, conduct appraisals, manage absence, and implement disciplinary and grievance procedures as required.

  • Champion a positive Health & Safety culture, updating the team on key performance indicators, meetings, and company communications.

  • Prepare and review detailed shift reports, highlighting operational threats and updating management on plant interruptions.

  • Measure, record, and monitor site performance, taking corrective action when necessary to protect availability and efficiency.

  • Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and carry out any other reasonable duties as required.

Job requirements

This is a senior position within the Riverside team. The successful candidate will be expected to hold the following skills and experience:

  • NEBOSH Certificate in Construction

  • Supervisory/Management qualification/experience

  • Experience in managing a team of operations and maintenance staff

  • Operational knowledge of EfW plants, including vehicles, plant and equipment, including Control Room experience and being conversant in systems such as DCS

  • Experience in electrical generation

  • Experience with water/steam systems (thermodynamics)

  • Understanding of relevant Environmental, Health & Safety and Waste legisation

  • A strong safety focus and mindset including:

    • Process safety

    • Communications skills

    • Negotiation/influencing skills

    • Delegation

    • Organisational skills in planning and prioritisation

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Cory is an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life.

As a signatory of the armed forces covenant, we actively encourage job applications from veterans and reservists, to whom we will provide additional assistance when needed.

You may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because you don’t match every single bullet point. We welcome your application if you feel you could make a positive impact in the role.