At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams and drive improvements in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established family-run food manufacturer in Scotland with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Hands-on role with potential for long-term career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing reliability and efficiency in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering management, preferably in food production, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 54000 £ per year.
Are you a hands-on Senior Engineer or Engineering Manager ready to take ownership of an engineering function? We have an exciting opportunity to join one of Scotland's most established family-run food manufacturers. We are looking for an experienced engineering leader who thrives on driving change, improving reliability, and building a proactive maintenance culture within a busy manufacturing environment.
Working closely with the Head of Production, you'll lead the shift towards a proactive PPM culture while ensuring the factory runs smoothly day to day. We're looking for a hands-on leader who enjoys being close to the operation, supporting the team, and driving improvements in reliability, performance, and engineering standards.
What you will get in your new role
- Salary £54,000 per annum
- Flexible working when needed
- Opportunity to take ownership of engineering function
- Scope to influence reliability, efficiency and engineering standards in a growing food manufacturing business
- Longer-term potential to develop towards a wider group engineering role
- A practical, fast-paced environment where good ideas can be implemented quickly
Responsibilities in your new role as Engineering Manager
- Leading and developing the engineering team, fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and high performance
- Driving the transition from a reactive maintenance approach to a structured planned maintenance and preventative maintenance (PPM) strategy
- Improving equipment reliability and reducing repeat breakdowns through effective maintenance planning and root cause analysis
- Creating greater visibility of downtime, identifying trends, and implementing corrective actions to minimise operational disruption
- Providing hands-on support during critical breakdowns to ensure production downtime is kept to a minimum
- Overseeing fault-finding, repair, installation, and maintenance activities across electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, refrigeration, and site infrastructure systems
- Managing building and facilities maintenance while ensuring full compliance with health, safety, and regulatory requirements
- Working collaboratively with production teams to identify and eliminate engineering-related constraints, driving measurable efficiency improvements
- Managing engineering inventory, parts procurement, suppliers, and contractors, ensuring cost-effective and value-driven decision making
- Identifying critical equipment and infrastructure risks, building robust business cases for future investment where required
- Establishing clear engineering standards, processes, and performance measures to support long-term operational success
Your personality, experience and qualifications
We're looking for an experienced engineering leader with a proven background in manufacturing environments, ideally within food production. The successful candidate will hold a degree, diploma, apprenticeship, or similar qualification in an engineering discipline, with a preference for mechanical or electrical engineering backgrounds. You will bring:
- Significant experience in an engineering or maintenance management role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Food production experience would be highly advantageous
- Strong hands-on engineering capability, with confidence supporting fault-finding on live production equipment
- A proven track record of developing or improving planned preventative maintenance (PPM) systems
- Demonstrable success in reducing reactive maintenance and improving equipment reliability
- The ability to analyse data effectively to identify downtime trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities
- Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience developing, motivating, and challenging engineering teams
- Experience managing contractors, suppliers, parts procurement, engineering budgets, and compliance requirements
We’re looking for someone who can deliver measurable improvements through practical solutions rather than relying on significant capital investment. You'll thrive in a fast-paced, informal environment where initiative, accountability, and problem-solving are highly valued. This is a genuine player-coach position. You’ll be responsible for setting direction, introducing structure, and maintaining high standards, while remaining closely connected to day-to-day operations and the realities of the factory floor.
Engineering Manager employer: Family Business United
Join one of Scotland's most established family-run food manufacturers, where you will have the opportunity to take ownership of the engineering function in a supportive and dynamic environment. With a competitive salary of £54,000 per annum, flexible working options, and a strong focus on employee development, this role offers a unique chance to influence engineering standards and drive continuous improvement within a fast-paced manufacturing setting. Embrace a culture that values initiative and accountability, allowing you to implement your ideas quickly and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager
✨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 Family Business United, 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 Engineering Manager
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 Family Business United 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 Family Business United
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Family Business United, 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 Family Business United 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.
