At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead electrical engineering initiatives and drive continuous improvement in a large-scale manufacturing site.
- Company: Dynamic industrial manufacturing company based in East Lothian.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a focus on safety and compliance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on engineering excellence and sustainability while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering and experience in heavy industrial environments required.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and shape the future of electrical engineering in manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Based in East Lothian, the Head of Electrical Engineering is a key member of the site's multi-disciplinary maintenance leadership team. The role holds full responsibility for the electrical infrastructure, statutory compliance, and long-term asset strategy across a large-scale industrial manufacturing site. This position plays a critical role in driving engineering excellence, improving plant reliability, supporting sustainability objectives, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance. The successful candidate will lead the electrical function strategically while remaining operationally engaged with plant performance and team development.
Key Responsibilities
- Engineering & Asset Management
- Lead and champion engineering best practice and continuous improvement initiatives
- Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance strategies
- Identify long-term plant risks and develop mitigation and repair plans
- Manage obsolescence planning and electrical asset replacement strategy
- Oversee high voltage (HV) distribution systems and switchgear management
- Ensure full compliance with electrical statutory inspection requirements and completion of remedial works
- Monitor execution of electrical maintenance activities through audits and performance reviews
- Project & Financial Management
- Develop capital investment proposals and associated business cases
- Lead delivery of plant improvement projects from concept through execution
- Manage departmental budgets, including monthly financial oversight and cost control
- Formulate financial plans aligned to operational and strategic objectives
- Safety & Compliance
- Ensure the department operates to the highest safety standards
- Conduct regular safety briefings and promote active participation in safety reporting
- Maintain compliance with ATEX/DSEAR requirements
- Drive a strong safety culture across the electrical function
- Leadership & People Development
- Lead, develop, and coach a multi-level electrical team including engineers, technicians, and apprentices
- Identify skills gaps and implement development plans including structured 1-2-1s and personal development plans
- Support succession planning and long-term talent retention
- Provide clear direction, remove obstacles, and ensure accountability within the team
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with engineering, production, and health & safety leadership
- Communicate priorities and progress effectively at daily operational meetings
- Align departmental objectives with broader business strategy
Key Competencies
- Technical & Functional
- Strong knowledge of high voltage distribution and switchgear
- Experience with ATEX/DSEAR environments (CompEx qualification desirable)
- Deep understanding of engineering and business principles
- Budget management and financial control capability
- Proven project management experience
- Experience using maintenance management systems (e.g., SAP PM)
- Leadership
- Ability to direct work and drive delivery through others
- Strong decision-making capability in high-pressure environments
- Situational adaptability
- Effective communicator across multiple audiences
- Talent development and engagement capability
- Inclusive leadership approach
Experience & Qualifications
- Degree/apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
- NEBOSH or IOSH qualification desirable
- Experience within heavy industrial or process manufacturing environments
- Demonstrated experience managing electrical teams
- Experience leading change and delivering business-critical projects
Key Challenges
- Managing crisis or unplanned plant events
- Addressing inherited performance or structural challenges
- Leading through change and continuous improvement initiatives
- Managing complex people situations and team engagement
Head of Electrical Engineering (Manufacturing) in Dunbar employer: Escape Recruitment Serv Ltd
Contact Detail:
Escape Recruitment Serv Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Electrical Engineering (Manufacturing) in Dunbar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at companies you’re interested in. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their projects and challenges, especially in electrical engineering and manufacturing. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and technical expertise, especially around high voltage systems and safety compliance, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Electrical Engineering (Manufacturing) in Dunbar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Electrical Engineering role. Highlight your experience in electrical infrastructure, compliance, and asset management. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a multi-level team, don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams and driven engineering excellence in previous roles. We love seeing strong leaders!
Be Specific About Achievements: When writing your application, be specific about your achievements in project management and financial oversight. Use numbers and outcomes to demonstrate your impact. We appreciate candidates who can quantify their success!
Apply Through Our Website: Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Escape Recruitment Serv Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of high voltage distribution and switchgear. Familiarise yourself with ATEX/DSEAR environments, as well as the latest engineering best practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential leader in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. Think about times when you’ve developed talent or driven change. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrating your ability to engage and inspire others will set you apart.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Since budget management is key for this position, come ready to discuss your experience with financial oversight and cost control. Have a few examples of how you've managed budgets or developed capital investment proposals. This will highlight your strategic thinking and operational alignment.
✨Safety First!
Given the emphasis on safety and compliance, be prepared to talk about how you've promoted a strong safety culture in previous roles. Share specific instances where you conducted safety briefings or improved compliance standards. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in the workplace.