At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic engineering team to ensure high standards in retail maintenance.
- Company: Join a leading company committed to safety and innovation in retail.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving continuous improvement and team success.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree or relevant experience with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
The Maintenance Manager (Retail) will lead a multi-skilled team of engineers, creating a positive, safe, and high-performing environment across our busy Retail Department. You will ensure every team member feels supported, valued, and equipped to deliver high-quality work each day. You will ensure engineering resources are used effectively, people are deployed with clarity and purpose, and standards are consistently upheld through coaching, communication, and regular feedback. You will oversee and coordinate daily engineering activity, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving across shifts. While driving continuous improvement and embedding preventative maintenance practices, you will ensure all engineering activities meet the highest health, safety, food safety, and environmental requirements. Crucially, you will lead your team through change supporting them in adopting new systems, technologies, and ways of working, and ensuring everyone has the right skills, confidence, and support to thrive.
The Role:
- Lead, coach, and motivate the retail engineering team to drive engagement, ownership, and strong performance.
- Maintain high standards for engineering workmanship, processes, and behaviours.
- Build team capability through targeted training, coaching, and development.
- Ensure full compliance with health, safety, food safety, and environmental regulations.
- Champion a proactive safety culture and embed safe systems of work.
- Oversee the delivery of the preventative maintenance plan, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to the required standard.
- Embed robust RCA practices, supporting investigations and ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
- Coordinate daily engineering priorities across planned, reactive, and production needs.
- Manage the engineering budget, ensuring all spend is controlled, justified, and aligned with site priorities.
- Foster collaboration and problem solving between the production, technical and maintenance teams, so that maintenance activity supports operational performance and protects product integrity.
- Lead the execution of planned shutdowns, ensuring scope and timelines are clearly defined and delivered, with all work completed to standard and equipment returned to service safely and on schedule.
- Drive accurate and consistent CMMS use to support data-driven decision making.
- Act as a change leader, embedding new systems, processes, and ways of working.
- Manage engineering contractor activity and compliance, ensuring safe working practices, effective supervision, and high-quality delivery that supports operational needs.
- Support the Engineering Capital Projects team to ensure maintenance in design is adopted from early in the project lifecycle.
Essential Criteria:
- Third-level engineering degree with 3+ years industrial experience, or Time-served electrical/mechanical (ideally multiskilled) with 5+ years recent industrial experience.
- Proven people leader who can engage, motivate, and develop a high-performing team.
- Excellent communicator with a positive, proactive, and solutions-focused mindset.
- Analytical and decisive, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-moving environment.
- Proficient in Root Cause Analysis and structured problem-solving approaches.
- Flexible and adaptable, able to respond confidently to changing operational demands.
- Sound technical knowledge of preventative/predictive maintenance, CMMS, and asset care.
- Competent in interpreting data to support sound engineering and production decisions.
- Financially aware, able to manage budgets, control spend and optimise engineering resources.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience with automation and controls, including PLC fault-finding.
- Training or certification in food safety and health & safety legislation.
- Understanding of food manufacturing compliance, including HACCP and hygienic design principles.
- Experience working in a similar role within a similar manufacturing environment.
- Knowledge of plant and equipment compliance for Food Safety, Health & Safety, and Environmental legislation and policies.
- Experience of working within FMCG industry.
The closing date for applications is 5 PM on Thursday 13th August 2026. We are an Equal Opportunities employer.
Retail Maintenance Manager TLNT1_NI in Cookstown employer: Dale Farm Ltd
Dale Farm Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive training and development opportunities, alongside a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Located in a vibrant sector, employees enjoy the unique advantage of contributing to sustainable practices within the dairy industry while being part of a supportive team culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Maintenance Manager TLNT1_NI in Cookstown
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Dale Farm Ltd, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Maintenance Manager TLNT1_NI in Cookstown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Dale Farm Ltd specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dale Farm Ltd
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Dale Farm Ltd, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Dale Farm Ltd value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
