Maintenance Head: Paper Mill (Recycled Paper) Job Vacancy in Kenya 2026

An opportunity is available for an experienced Maintenance Head to oversee engineering and maintenance operations within a recycled paper manufacturing plant in Kenya.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for plant machinery reliability, technical troubleshooting, maintenance performance and engineering-team leadership.

The role requires strong hands-on experience with recycled paper manufacturing equipment, including paper-making machinery, stock preparation systems, pulping equipment, screening and refining systems, paper machines and associated mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems.

The objective is to maintain safe, efficient and reliable production while reducing downtime and improving equipment availability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Mechanical Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance of mechanical equipment across the plant.

• Ensure stable operation of pulpers, agitators, pumps, refiners, screens, cleaners, stock preparation systems and associated machinery.

• Manage preventive and corrective maintenance activities.

• Troubleshoot mechanical failures involving bearings, gearboxes, couplings, rollers, hydraulic systems and related components.

• Supervise maintenance work on equipment drives and rotating machinery.

2. Electrical and Instrumentation Maintenance

• Oversee maintenance of motors, electrical panels, switchgear, transformers, VFDs, MCCs and plant electrical systems.

• Ensure reliable operation of PLCs, sensors, transmitters, process instruments and automation systems.

• Coordinate electrical and instrumentation troubleshooting.

• Monitor compliance with plant electrical safety procedures.

• Support maintenance activities to minimise production interruptions.

3. Utilities and Plant Infrastructure

• Manage maintenance of boilers, steam distribution systems, compressors, pumps, cooling systems, water-treatment facilities and related utilities.

• Coordinate maintenance of effluent treatment plants and other support infrastructure.

• Ensure reliable operation of utility systems supporting production.

4. Preventive and Predictive Maintenance

• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance schedules.

• Establish inspection routines, lubrication schedules, condition monitoring and critical spare-parts planning.

• Analyse recurring breakdowns and implement root-cause corrective actions.

• Improve equipment availability, reliability and overall plant efficiency.

5. Team Leadership

• Lead and supervise mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and utility maintenance teams.

• Allocate responsibilities and monitor performance.

• Develop technical capabilities within the maintenance department.

• Coordinate maintenance budgets and control repair, overhaul and consumable costs.

• Manage vendors, contractors, equipment suppliers and external service providers.

• Ensure proper maintenance of critical spares and inventory records.

6. Production Coordination and Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with production and quality teams to achieve output targets and minimise downtime.

• Plan major shutdowns, annual maintenance and equipment overhauls.

• Identify opportunities to improve machine speed, operating efficiency, energy consumption and equipment life.

• Monitor maintenance KPIs, including breakdown hours, MTBF, MTTR and maintenance costs.

7. Safety and Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to industrial safety procedures, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), permit-to-work systems and safe maintenance practices.

• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental and statutory requirements.

• Promote a strong safety culture across all maintenance activities.

Desired Candidate Profile

The employer is seeking an experienced engineering professional with:

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• Minimum ten years of relevant maintenance experience in industrial manufacturing.

• Strong hands-on experience in recycled paper manufacturing operations and equipment.

• Knowledge of maintenance planning, troubleshooting and plant machinery reliability.

• Experience with preventive maintenance, breakdown analysis and maintenance cost control.

• Strong leadership and multidisciplinary maintenance-team management abilities.

• Ability to work independently and resolve complex technical problems.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will focus on:

• Reduction in unplanned machine breakdowns and downtime.

• Improvement in equipment availability and reliability.

• Timely completion of preventive maintenance and shutdowns.

• Reduction in maintenance costs and emergency spare-parts purchases.

• Improvement in machine operating efficiency and utility consumption.

• Compliance with safety standards and reduction of maintenance-related incidents.

Salary and Expatriate Benefits

Advertised Salary: USD 2,000–2,500

Additional Benefits:

• Food and accommodation.

• Transport.

• Applicable expatriate benefits.

The original advertisement does not clearly establish whether the stated salary is gross, net or a fixed monthly amount. Candidates should confirm these details with the recruiter.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their updated CV directly to:

Email: [email available with Premium] [link available with Premium]

Suggested Email Subject: Application – Maintenance Head – Recycled Paper Mill – Kenya

Applicants should clearly demonstrate their experience managing industrial maintenance teams and recycled paper production machinery.

Important Information

The employing company, exact plant location, contract duration and application deadline have not been disclosed in the recruitment advertisement.

Candidates should verify employment terms and recruiter credentials before making any financial commitment.