Engineering Manager – UK&I
Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people across the globe.
We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.
Everything we do is about Making Better Happen™.
AAK LOCATION
This position can be based full-time in Hull or, alternatively, worked remotely with a minimum of one day per week in our Hull office. We are flexible and open to discussing the arrangement that works best for the right candidate.
The role does, however, require flexibility to travel across the UK and Ireland when required.
At AAK Hull, we operate the UK’s largest refinery for edible oils and fats at our King George Dock site and supply ingredients and finished products to businesses in the food manufacturing, baking, foodservice, and retail sectors. We enjoy working closely with customers to co-develop bespoke products in our well-equipped Customer Innovation Centre.
About the role
AAK Bakery Engineering Services installs, commissions and maintains industrial spray equipment for the UK & Ireland bakery industry, supporting the sale and effective application of AAK divider oils and release agents. As Engineering Manager, you will lead the Bakery Engineering Services function, ensuring safe, reliable and commercially effective service delivery while developing the engineering and administrative team.
You will act as the principal link between customers, engineering operations, the UK&I commercial team and key suppliers. The role will focus on delivering high standards of customer support, managing engineering resources and suppliers, and developing the capability and processes required to install, maintain and improve customer equipment. You will also drive continuous improvement and support sustainable, profitable growth.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop the Bakery Engineering Services team, setting clear priorities, standards and objectives.
- Own the safe and effective delivery of engineering services, including site surveys, design support, installation, commissioning, planned maintenance, breakdown response and workshop repair.
- Act as the senior customer escalation point for engineering matters, ensuring issues are diagnosed, communicated and resolved professionally.
- Plan engineering resources and travel to meet customer requirements across the UK & Ireland.
- Ensure compliance with AAK policies, applicable legislation and customer site rules, maintaining appropriate risk assessments, method statements, service documentation and safe systems of work.
- Maintain and improve engineering standards, technical drawings, equipment specifications, operating procedures and service records.
- Manage engineering suppliers and contractors, monitoring quality, responsiveness, cost and continuity of supply.
- Oversee the identification, specification, purchasing and control of spare parts and workshop stock.
- Manage the function’s budget and commercial performance, including cost control, quotations, service pricing and investment proposals.
- Partner with UK&I Sales, Customer Innovation, Product Management, Operations and customers to identify equipment, application and service improvements.
- Drive continuous improvement in service response, first-time fix, preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, engineering productivity and customer satisfaction.
About you
We are looking for an experienced engineering leader with a strong practical background in engineering services, maintenance and industrial equipment, ideally within food manufacturing, bakery or a comparable regulated environment.
- Engineering qualification at HNC/HND level or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
- Proven experience leading an engineering, maintenance, field service or technical support team.
- Strong practical knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic and fluid-handling systems, including pumps, valves, spray equipment and associated components.
- Working knowledge of electrical controls, control panels and PLC-controlled equipment.
- Experience managing installations, commissioning, maintenance, breakdown response and engineering improvement activity across multiple customer locations.
- Strong customer-facing, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage technical issues and customer escalations.
- Experience managing suppliers, contractors, budgets, quotations, cost control and engineering inventory.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout the UK & Ireland.
In return AAK offers
- 10% non-contribution pension.
- Bonus scheme.
- UK Healthcare scheme.
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays.
- Group life cover.
- Group income protection scheme.
- Ride2Work scheme.
Contact and information
For further information about the position, please contact Emily Lumb, Talent Acquisition Specialist by email: Emily.lumb@aak.com
About AAK
Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer with the unique flexibility of our production assets and deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice, and Personal Care.
Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.
AAK prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of employment and application for employment. #LI-Onsite
Bakery Engineering Services Engineering Manager in Hull employer: AAK
AAK Hull Refinery is an exceptional employer that prioritises safety, innovation, and employee development within a collaborative work culture. Located in the vibrant UK, we offer our Process Engineers not only competitive benefits but also ample opportunities for professional growth through hands-on projects and mentorship from experienced engineers. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters a rewarding career in the heart of the refining industry.
