At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the engineering team to ensure equipment runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Company: Join a leading food manufacturing company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy free parking, 31 days holiday, health cash plan, and weekly cheese!
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance management within food manufacturing is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for leading the engineering and maintenance function across the site, ensuring all equipment, machinery, and facilities operate safely, reliably, and efficiently. They will be the main driver on our journey to world class engineering. Overseeing a 24‑hour, 5‑day operation across three shifts, the Maintenance Manager will ensure robust planned preventative maintenance (PPM), effective reactive maintenance, and continuous improvement of plant performance. The role also requires flexibility to support occasional weekend work and participation in an on‑call rota to provide engineering support when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the engineering team across all shifts, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and performance.
- Optimise and maintain a PPM system, with the effective delivery of both PPM and reactive maintenance activities within allocated time frames.
- Maintain high levels of equipment reliability and minimise downtime across production and packing lines.
- Oversee engineering coverage across all shifts (6am‑2pm, 2pm‑10pm, 10pm‑6am).
- Ensure appropriate engineering resource is in place across all shifts to support operational requirements.
- Participate in and manage an on‑call rota to provide support outside standard hours when required.
- Support or coordinate engineering cover during weekends where overtime or operational demand requires it.
- Drive improvements in equipment performance, reliability, and efficiency (OEE).
- Lead root cause analysis and problem‑solving for recurring engineering issues.
- Implement reliability engineering practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and installation of new machinery.
- Ensure all engineering activities comply with health & safety legislation and company policies.
- Maintain compliance with food safety standards and customer code of practice, ensuring all processes are compliant and equipment is fit for purpose.
- Ensure all documentation, maintenance records, and statutory inspections are completed accurately.
- Lead audits for engineering (BRC, customer, and regulatory) as required.
- Optimise spare parts inventory to balance cost, criticality, obsolescence and availability.
- Manage relationships with service providers.
- Support and manage contractor control on site.
- Lead, develop, and support the engineering team through regular 1‑2‑1s and performance reviews.
- Ensure appropriate training and development plans are in place to maintain a skilled workforce.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement within the engineering team.
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience as a Maintenance Manager or Engineering Manager within food manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems within a production environment.
- Experience managing engineering teams in a 24/7 or multi‑shift operation.
- Strong understanding of PPM systems, reactive maintenance, and asset management.
- Knowledge of health & safety regulations and food safety requirements (BRC, HACCP).
- Lean manufacturing or reliability engineering experience (desirable).
- Experience with world class manufacturing (desirable).
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Excellent problem‑solving and analytical ability.
- Hands‑on and proactive approach to engineering challenges.
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced environment.
- Flexible and responsive, with a commitment to supporting operational needs.
Working Hours
- 40 hours per week Monday to Friday.
- Site based.
- Shift cover and on call expected.
Benefits
- Free parking, within proximity to all major travel networks.
- 31 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with service.
- An extra day off for your birthday.
- Health cash plan (Medicash), after 3 months.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Company pension scheme – employer 4% and employee 5%.
- Company paid events throughout the year.
- FREE pack of cheese every week plus a discounted staff cheese shop.
- Doughnut Fridays.
- Free fruit on a Tuesday.
Please note we unfortunately do not offer sponsorship for work visas or immigration. Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.
Maintenance Manager employer: Extons Foods Ltd
As a Maintenance Manager at our site, you will join a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises safety, reliability, and continuous improvement. We offer competitive benefits including 31 days of holiday, a health cash plan, and unique perks like free cheese and doughnut Fridays, all while fostering your professional growth through regular training and development opportunities. Located conveniently with free parking and access to major travel networks, we are committed to creating an engaging environment where teamwork and accountability thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Maintenance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Maintenance Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. We recommend practising common interview questions related to maintenance management and having examples ready that showcase your problem-solving abilities and team management experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for continuous improvement! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas on optimising PPM systems or enhancing equipment reliability. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re excited about making a real impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Maintenance Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Maintenance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Maintenance Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing engineering teams, especially in a food manufacturing environment. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved equipment reliability or implemented successful PPM systems. This helps us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, be clear and concise. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your qualifications and experiences relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Extons Foods Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, especially in a food manufacturing context. Be ready to discuss your experience with planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and how you've tackled reactive maintenance issues in the past.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership and team management abilities. Think about times when you’ve led a team through challenges or improved performance. Highlight your approach to fostering accountability and teamwork within your engineering team.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills. Have a few scenarios in mind where you successfully identified root causes of engineering issues and implemented effective solutions. This will demonstrate your analytical ability and hands-on approach.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations, as well as food safety standards like BRC and HACCP. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your previous roles and how you would maintain these standards in the new position.