Maintenance Manager in Manchester

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 holiday, 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.