Mechanical Maintenance Manager

Job Title:
Mechanical Maintenance (Workshop) Manager - Industrial Production Site

Location:
Hamburg, Germany

Team Leadership:
Oversees a multidisciplinary mechanical maintenance team consisting of rougly 100 professionals

Employment Type:
Full-time, Permanent

Role Overview

Our client operates one of the most significant and integrated production facilities in Hamburg, encompassing operations such as crushing, refining, biodiesel production, lecithin processing, and bulk material handling.

We are seeking a
Mechanical Maintenance Workshop Manager
to lead mechanical maintenance across this complex, high-throughput industrial site. This leadership role is pivotal in ensuring equipment reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and technical excellence within a fast-paced, continuous production environment.

The ideal candidate will be a pragmatic and proactive leader with deep technical knowledge, capable of driving performance improvements, fostering team development, and embedding a culture of reliability and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee mechanical maintenance across all operational areas including crushing, refining, biodiesel, lecithin, and logistics.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture aligned with our client's standards for health, safety, environment, and food safety.
• Develop and implement preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance strategies to maximize equipment uptime.
• Manage operational and capital maintenance budgets with a focus on cost control and continuous improvement.
• Structure and develop the mechanical maintenance team, ensuring the right skills and capabilities are in place.
• Coordinate external contractors and ensure seamless integration with internal teams.
• Standardize mechanical maintenance practices and drive technical excellence across the site.
• Provide mechanical expertise for plant upgrades and lead input into change management processes.
• Collaborate with regional reliability teams to apply best practices and methodologies.
• Lead planning and execution of major shutdowns and mechanical overhauls.
• Work cross-functionally with production, engineering, procurement, and HSE to ensure operational alignment.
• Conduct performance reviews, set clear goals, and support team development through coaching and training.

Candidate Profile

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 8-10 years of experience in industrial maintenance, ideally within sectors such as food processing, chemicals, or heavy industry.
• Proven leadership experience in managing mechanical teams within large-scale industrial operations.
• Strong technical understanding of rotating/static equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, conveyors, and utilities.
• Fluent in German (C1 level) and proficient in English (B1 or higher).
• Skilled in maintenance planning, root cause analysis, and reliability improvement techniques.
• A structured, self-motivated leader with sound decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams with a focus on collaboration and accountability.