Engineering Manager in Manchester

This position leads the site’s engineering function, taking ownership of plant performance, equipment reliability, and overall technical standards. The focus is on ensuring production assets and facilities run safely, efficiently, and consistently, while driving a step change in engineering maturity and performance.

Operating within a continuous multi-shift environment, the role is responsible for embedding a structured maintenance approach, strengthening engineering capability, and improving operational uptime. There is an expectation to provide support beyond core hours where required, including participation in an on-call rota.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide leadership to the engineering team across all shifts, setting clear expectations and maintaining strong communication and accountability.
• Develop and enhance the site’s preventative maintenance strategy, ensuring plans are executed effectively and deliver measurable improvements.
• Drive asset performance by reducing downtime and improving reliability across production and packing operations.
• Ensure appropriate engineering support is available to meet the needs of a 24-hour, multi-shift operation.
• Contribute to out-of-hours support through an on-call structure and provide additional cover where operational demand requires.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, performance, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Lead structured problem-solving and root cause analysis to eliminate recurring issues.
• Introduce and embed best practice approaches in reliability and continuous improvement.
• Support the delivery of capital investment projects, including installation and commissioning of new equipment.
• Ensure all engineering activities meet required health & safety standards and internal policies.
• Maintain compliance with food safety and quality requirements, ensuring equipment and processes meet regulatory and customer expectations.
• Manage engineering documentation, maintenance records, and statutory compliance activities.
• Lead or support audits relating to engineering, including customer and regulatory assessments.
• Oversee spare parts management, ensuring the right balance between availability, cost, and obsolescence.
• Manage external suppliers and contractors, ensuring safe and effective delivery of work on site.
• Develop the engineering team through coaching, regular reviews, and structured development plans.
• Foster a culture focused on ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Candidate Profile

You will bring experience leading engineering or maintenance functions within a food or FMCG manufacturing environment, with a strong understanding of both mechanical and electrical systems. You’ll be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, multi-shift setting and have a track record of improving equipment performance through structured maintenance and continuous improvement techniques. A working knowledge of food safety standards (e.g. BRC, HACCP) and health & safety requirements is essential. Exposure to lean, reliability, or world-class manufacturing principles would be advantageous.

Personal Style

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to engage and motivate teams.
• Analytical mindset with a structured approach to problem-solving.
• Proactive and hands-on when required, with a focus on delivering results.
• Organised and able to prioritise effectively in a demanding environment.
• Adaptable, with the flexibility to respond to changing operational needs.