Underhållschef

Underhållschef, or head of maintenance, is a senior management position responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all maintenance activities across an organization. The role aims to ensure asset reliability, safety, and cost efficiency by maintaining mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems and facilities.

Key responsibilities include developing and implementing maintenance strategies, such as preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance; planning maintenance schedules; budgeting and cost control; managing spare parts inventory and procurement; and leading maintenance teams of technicians, supervisors, and engineers. The underhållschef also oversees compliance with safety and environmental regulations and ensures documentation such as work orders, inspections, and service reports are maintained.

The position typically reports to a plant manager or operations director and collaborates closely with production, engineering, health and safety, and quality departments. It may involve vendor management, contract negotiation, and outsourcing of specialized maintenance tasks.

Qualifying requirements usually include an engineering or technical degree, experience in maintenance or operations, and strong leadership and analytical skills. Proficiency with CMMS/EAM systems, data analysis, and performance metrics is common.

Common performance indicators include equipment availability and reliability (MTBF), repair time (MTTR), maintenance cost per unit produced, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). A successful underhållschef drives continuous improvement through standardized processes, root-cause analysis, and modernization of asset management practices, often aligned with standards such as ISO 55001.