Engineering Manager - Trade & Speciality, Oxfordshire, OX29 7EX

Engineering Manager – Trade & Speciality, Oxfordshire, OX29 7EX

Join Our Team at Smurfit Westrock!

Are you searching for a workplace that values you and your growth? At Smurfit Westrock, we’re committed to sustainability, employee well-being, and personal development.

About Us

We are a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging. Our focus is on the health and safety of our employees, the well-being of our communities, and delivering exceptional service to our customers. We support our team members to reach their full potential in an inclusive environment that values diversity.

The Role

The Operations team at Windrush is excited to offer an opportunity for an experienced Engineering Manager to join the team and play a pivotal role in driving the continued success of the business following significant recent capital investment.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading the site’s maintenance strategy, focusing on both planned and preventative maintenance, to ensure optimal operational performance. As Engineering Manager, you will lead and develop the Engineering Team, providing technical leadership and fostering skills development to ensure team members are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to excel in their roles.

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who is passionate about continuous improvement, team development, and contributing to the success of a growing production environment.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Driving a culture of health and safety within the Plant by acting as a role model, ensuring risk assessments and safe systems of work in your area of responsibility are up to date, and promoting a proactive safety culture at all levels.
• Ensuring all plant compliance documentation is up to date, including environmental and safety regulations, and overseeing any necessary audits. Leading efforts to address and close out any compliance gaps or corrective actions, working closely with cross-functional teams to meet regulatory requirements.
• Taking an active role in the development and execution of the maintenance strategy for the Windrush site, aligned with the plant's operational goals and ensuring optimal equipment reliability and performance.
• Collaborating with the operations team to ensure that maintenance schedules are efficiently planned and disruptions to production are minimised.
• Reviewing and improving maintenance processes regularly to enhance plant uptime, reliability, and overall performance.
• Ensuring that the maintenance strategy aligns with budgetary constraints, resource availability, and timelines while considering long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
• Providing technical leadership and oversight for all capital expenditure projects and engineering initiatives, ensuring timely, within-budget delivery.
• Leading preliminary studies to assess project feasibility, estimating likely costs, and determining potential return on investment (ROI) for engineering projects.
• Collaborating with internal teams and external contractors to manage and coordinate engineering projects, ensuring they adhere to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Taking full people management responsibility for the site-based Engineering Team, including recruitment, training, development, and performance management.
• Providing continuous guidance and mentorship to engineering team members to develop their technical skills and leadership potential.
• Your job title does not limit your duties and the Company may require you from time to time to undertake any other duties within your capability.

Person Specification

• The ideal candidate will be a multi-skilled engineer with proven leadership and management experience and/or relevant qualifications. They should have previous maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within highly automated and batch production settings.
• Experience in Lean methodology and tools.
• Proven experience in people management, demonstrating a people-focused leadership style and a commitment to championing employee engagement. Strong emphasis on continuous team development and growth
• Technical knowledge of drives/PLC’s, with an ability to problem solve through to root cause
• Proven ability to influence key stakeholders, coupled with experience in driving and managing organisational change.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience in one-on-one interactions, group meetings, and delivering impactful presentations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to effectively manage both personal and team workloads and set priorities.
• Commitment to safety as a top priority

What We Offer

• Competitive salary & benefits, including annual leave, pension, and a Cycle to Work scheme
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• 24/7 confidential support for you and your family
• Flexible working options and family-friendly policies
• Guaranteed interview for candidates meeting essential criteria (Disability Confident Employer)

Ready to make an impact? Apply today and help us build a sustainable future together.

Smurfit Westrock reserve the right to only shortlist candidates who meet both the Essential and Desirable Criteria.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their sex; religious or similar philosophical belief; political opinion; race; age; sexual orientation; or, whether they are married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled; or whether they have undergone, are undergoing or intend to undergo gender reassignment.

We practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.