Thermal Dryer Team Leader

About Veolia

Veolia Australia & New Zealand is the only global company to provide a full range of environmental services in the fields of water, waste management and energy solutions. With the global expertise gained from serving the environment for more than 170 years, Veolia operates in more than 57 countries around the world, with well over a hundred sites and approximately 6500 employees in Australia & New Zealand.

The Opportunity

Veolia Water is seeking an experienced Thermal Dryer Team Leader to manage our state-of-the-art Thermal Drying Facility in Wellington. Lead a team of 5 technicians in producing Class A biosolids while ensuring safety, compliance, and operational excellence.

What's on offer

• Lead cutting-edge environmental technology
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Career development opportunities
• Supportive, collaborative culture
• Make a real environmental impact

What you'll be responsible for

Operations

• Oversee thermal dryer operations including Flo-Dryer 15X, burner systems, cyclones, and condenser
• Maintain Class A biosolids standards (minimum 80°C exit temperature per EPA Rule 503)
• Monitor safety systems: nitrogen fire suppression, oxygen monitoring, temperature controls
• Coordinate with dewatering and product handling teams for continuous operations

Safety & Compliance

• Lead Health and Safety procedures: confined space entry, hot work permits, lockout/tagout
• Conduct safety audits and incident investigations
• Ensure compliance with all operational requirements and consent conditions
• Champion Veolia's Always Safe Charter

Maintenance Coordination

• Partner with Maintenance and Capital Works Manager on preventive maintenance strategies
• Coordinate maintenance schedules and shutdown planning
• Provide operational expertise for equipment commissioning
• Manage contractor and supplier relationships

Team Leadership

• Coach and develop 5 technicians
• Foster a safety-focused, high-performance culture
• Conduct performance reviews and support career development
• Ensure training completion and skills development

Performance Management

• Monitor KPIs: safety, reliability, compliance, efficiency, quality
• Manage operational budgets and optimise costs
• Maintain documentation and reporting systems
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives

What you'll need to be successful

Required

• Mechanical or Electrical Diploma or Practising Certificate
• 5+ years supervisory/team leadership experience in industrial plants
• People management or coaching qualification
• SCADA systems and process control experience
• Current Health and Safety certifications
• Hands-on thermal drying or high-temperature process experience
• Natural gas burner systems and combustion control knowledge
• Rotary dryer operations understanding
• Budget management experience

Key Attributes

Strategic leader with hands-on technical expertise

Strong communicator and stakeholder manager

Problem-solver with analytical mindset

Collaborative team player with coaching ability

High integrity and safety-focused

Calm under pressure with sound decision-making

Self-starter who works autonomously and collaboratively

Why Veolia?

At Veolia Australia and New Zealand, you'll join a team of over 6500 passionate innovators... and good humans. Our environmental solutions help customers preserve and renew our natural resources, creating a better future for our planet. Here, you'll have the opportunity to build your career, and resource the world.

If you can tick most of the boxes and are keen to contribute to Veolia's ecological transformation, then hit the apply button now!

THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT

To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.

Fairness, Diversity & Inclusion

At Veolia we value diversity, equality and inclusion, we are committed to providing working environments where everyone is included and treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from Maori and Pasifika, Veterans, people with disability, mature age and early careers, members of the LGBTI+ community and people from all cultural backgrounds.