Engineering Manager

We have a new opening for an Engineering Manager to lead the engineering function within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of all plant equipment, utilities, and engineering systems while driving operational excellence, safety, and engineering best practice.The successful candidate will provide leadership to the engineering team, oversee maintenance and capital investment programmes, and work closely with cross-functional departments to support business objectives through engineering innovation and continuous improvement.Key ResponsibilitiesLead, develop, and mentor the engineering team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance. Develop and implement the site's engineering strategy, aligning engineering objectives with overall business goals. Ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all manufacturing equipment, utilities, and site infrastructure. Drive preventative, predictive, and reliability-centred maintenance strategies to maximise equipment availability and minimise downtime. Lead root cause investigations into equipment failures and operational issues, implementing robust corrective and preventative actions. Manage engineering budgets, controlling expenditure while identifying opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvements. Plan, manage, and deliver capital investment projects from concept through design, installation, commissioning, and handover. Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or other recognised improvement methodologies. Ensure compliance with all relevant health & safety, environmental, food safety, and engineering legislation and standards. Develop asset management strategies and ensure effective use of CMMS and maintenance planning systems. Oversee contractor management, ensuring all external engineering activities meet company safety and quality standards. Support the development and implementation of automation, digitalisation, and smart manufacturing initiatives where appropriate. Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to improve manufacturing performance and achieve operational targets. Manage engineering resources effectively, including workforce planning, succession planning, recruitment, and skills development. Build strong relationships with equipment suppliers, contractors, and service providers to ensure value, quality, and reliability. Key RequirementsDegree qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline. Engineering leadership experience within food manufacturing or FMCG, or packaging, or another highly automated manufacturing environment. Proven experience managing engineering teams within a high-volume production environment. Strong knowledge of maintenance management, reliability engineering, asset care, and engineering best practices. Demonstrated success delivering capital investment projects from feasibility through commissioning. Experience managing engineering budgets and driving cost-effective engineering solutions. Strong understanding of machinery safety, utilities management, statutory compliance, and engineering risk management. Knowledge of CMMS systems and maintenance planning software. Familiarity with food safety and quality standards such as BRCGS, HACCP, or equivalent regulated manufacturing standards. Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and people development skills. Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capability with experience implementing continuous improvement methodologies. What's on OfferOpportunity to lead a high-performing engineering function within a progressive manufacturing organisation. A strategic leadership role with responsibility for engineering excellence, operational performance, and long-term site development. Competitive salary and benefits package. Career development opportunities within a growing businessFor further details please contact or call Gillian on