Head of Maintenance, Investments & Development (m/f/d)

CRH is the leading global diversified building materials business in the world, employing more than 70,000 people at 3,100 locations worldwide. We manufacture and supply a diverse range of superior building materials and products, used extensively in the build environment, in infrastructure, housing and commercial construction projects, of all sizes, across the world. Each day, millions of people around the world come into contact with our materials and products which help fulfil the basic human need of shelter and the infrastructure we need for our societies to thrive.

CRH Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a strategic division within the company that encompasses a diverse portfolio of operations and business in the Eastern region. Comprising markets Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Germany and Switzerland, the CEE region plays a crucial role in CRH’s global presence and growth strategy.

OPTERRA, part of the global CRH Group, is one of Germany's leading cement manufacturers. Our Wössingen plant near Karlsruhe is among the most modern cement facilities in Central Europe, supplying products that help build and maintain critical infrastructure and communities

We are now looking for an experienced, strategic and results-oriented Head of Maintenance, Investments & Development to lead the technical future of our operations.

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, you will take overall responsibility for maintenance excellence, capital investments and the long-term technological development of the plant. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of Germany's most advanced cement operations, driving reliability, efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth.

At CRH, our EVP is built around "Reinvent Your World" – empowering people to make a positive impact, take ownership, drive innovation and collaborate to solve complex challenges. This role sits at the heart of that ambition, offering the opportunity to modernise processes, lead transformational investment projects and influence the future direction of our operations.

The Role

In this role, you will:

• Lead the maintenance function, ensuring maximum plant availability, reliability and operational performance while maintaining optimum cost efficiency.
• Take full responsibility for the planning, execution and successful delivery of all CAPEX projects, including budgeting, forecasting and cost control.
• Contribute to the long-term business strategy and investment roadmap for the site.
• Lead, develop and inspire a large maintenance organisation and project team, creating a culture of accountability, growth and continuous improvement.
• Manage external contractors and ensure the highest standards of safety and execution across maintenance and investment activities.
• Drive technical innovation through equipment optimisation, process improvements and implementation of new technologies.
• Develop technical concepts and solutions that secure the long-term competitiveness and technological advancement of the plant.
• Lead major projects from concept to completion, ensuring delivery against timeline, budget and quality objectives.
• Further develop automation and process control systems to enhance efficiency and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and fire protection regulations while promoting a culture of operational excellence.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for an accomplished technical leader who combines strong engineering expertise with strategic thinking, commercial awareness and exceptional people leadership capabilities.

You will bring:

• A degree in Process Engineering or a comparable technical qualification.
• Significant experience within a manufacturing, industrial or process-driven environment.
• Proven success in maintenance management and the delivery of complex capital investment projects.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop, motivate and inspire high-performing teams.
• Deep technical knowledge combined with expertise in modern maintenance methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
• Strong analytical capabilities, business acumen and a results-oriented approach.
• A proactive mindset with excellent conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Outstanding communication, stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
• Good knowledge of MS Office and ideally SAP.
• Fluent German and very good English language skills, both written and spoken.

Shape the Future of Industrial Excellence. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by leading major investments, modernising equipment and driving technological advancement that will define the future performance of the plant.

What CRH Offers You

• A culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion
• Highly competitive salary package
• Comprehensive secondary benefits
• A significant contribution to your pension plan
• Health and wellness programs
• Excellent opportunities to develop and progress with a global organization