Head of Engineering

About The Company

Our client is a leading manufacturing organisation in the food industry, operating a high-volume, fast-paced production environment. The business is committed to safety, quality and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on innovation, operational excellence and sustainable growth.

You will be joining a collaborative leadership team that values clear communication, cross-functional partnership and empowering people to do their best work. This is a permanent role offering a competitive package and the opportunity to shape the long-term engineering and facilities strategy for the site.

The Work

As Head of Engineering, you will lead the Engineering and Facilities function, ensuring that all plant, equipment, systems and infrastructure operate safely, efficiently and reliably. You will set the strategic direction for engineering, drive continuous improvement and support the business in achieving its growth and performance goals.

• Define and implement engineering standards, best practices and documentation protocols.
• Lead system design, technical decision-making and technology selection to support current and future operations.
• Ensure all engineering outputs meet high standards of quality, reliability and safety.
• Plan resources, infrastructure and future technology investments in line with business strategy.
• Drive preventative and predictive maintenance strategies to maximise plant uptime and reliability.
• Lead root cause analysis for critical incidents and implement robust corrective and preventative actions.
• Maintain and enhance plant and facility standards across the site.
• Deliver engineering and capital projects on time, within scope and budget.
• Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation and cost-benefit analysis for key initiatives.
• Develop and manage relationships with vendors, contractors and external partners.
• Lead, coach and develop engineering and facilities teams, building a high-performing, engaged workforce.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration with other departments and senior leadership.
• Oversee knowledge sharing, technical documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Monitor and report on engineering KPIs, using data to optimise performance and reliability.
• Prioritise and deliver continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee facilities maintenance, contractor management and site services.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Report performance, risks and opportunities to senior leadership, providing clear recommendations.

The Person

The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering leader from a manufacturing or industrial environment, with a strong technical foundation and a passion for developing people, improving reliability and driving change.

• Proven engineering leadership experience in manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Strong background in mechanical, electrical or automation engineering.
• Track record of managing and developing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience delivering complex engineering or capital projects from concept to completion.
• Solid understanding of maintenance reliability principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing budgets, resources and vendor or contractor relationships.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a data-driven and structured approach to decision-making.
• Collaborative, hands-on leadership style with a focus on coaching and empowering others.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Committed to safety, quality and operational excellence.

Preferred:

• Experience in food or FMCG manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with CMMS, automation systems or industrial IT platforms.
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement training or certification.

The Benefits

This permanent Head of Engineering role offers a strong and competitive package, along with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the performance and future direction of the site.

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with senior leadership responsibilities.
• Strategic leadership role with direct influence on engineering and facilities direction.
• Opportunity to shape and develop high-performing engineering and facilities teams.
• Exposure to modern manufacturing technologies and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supportive, collaborative leadership environment that values open communication and teamwork.
• Ongoing opportunities for professional development and skills enhancement.
• Culture that prioritises safety, quality, reliability and operational excellence.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Our client is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to contribute their best. They welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or any other protected characteristic.