Divisional Engineering Manager in Kirkham

Kepak is one of Europe’s leading food companies with manufacturing sites across the UK and Ireland. Kepak’s vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future ready Food Business with differentiation at its core, that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food & Teamwork. Kepak Foods Division have developed a portfolio of brands that are successful in the chilled convenience and frozen meat categories in the UK, Ireland and chosen European markets for both Retail and Foodservice Customers. We have multiple Manufacturing Sites supported by shared services, with 500 people supporting our vision to become a transformed, future proofed, profitable Food Business.

We are currently seeking to recruit a new role for a Divisional Engineering Manager within our Foods division. Joining our fantastic team means you'll be surrounded by colleagues who value collaboration and have years of experience to share. Their wealth of knowledge will be invaluable as you bring your own unique experiences to the table. This role isn’t confined to a single site; it spans multiple locations, driving the engineering team forward while staying true to Kepak's core values. As the Foods Division Engineering Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering growth through a variety of projects across all our locations. This position is a fantastic chance to make a significant impact and be part of a team that is committed to excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Governance & Strategic Leadership: Craft and execute a robust engineering strategy, along with effective policies and governance frameworks for the division. Provide comprehensive oversight and assurance for all engineering initiatives and maintenance operations within the division. Deliver regular performance updates to senior leadership, highlighting engineering achievements, risks, and compliance status.
• Project & Programme Governance: Lead the governance of significant capital projects from their inception through to successful completion, ensuring alignment with Kepak procedures. Evaluate and endorse Capex applications, project proposals, and feasibility studies with a keen eye for detail. Guarantee that comprehensive project management processes—encompassing initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure—are diligently adhered to. Track project performance against established milestones, budgets, and quality benchmarks.
• Maintenance & Asset Care: Lead and oversee the work of divisional maintenance managers, providing them with direction and support. Ensure that preventative and predictive maintenance programs are executed seamlessly, aligning with the Kepak asset care policy. Track divisional engineering KPIs such as downtime, uptime, and energy efficiency, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Encourage the standardization of equipment and enhance maintainability across all sites.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Promote compliance with health & safety regulations, GMP guidelines, food safety practices, and environmental standards. Foster a culture of zero harm and implement safe working systems. Conduct engineering audits and verify that all documentation aligns with both regulatory and internal standards.
• Finance & Commercial Governance: Oversee the engineering budgets for your division and maintain strict cost management. Evaluate and authorize capital expenditure proposals while ensuring a strong return on investment. Spot potential for cost savings through innovative strategies and enhanced process efficiency.
• Leading & Inspiring Teams: Lead and develop engineering managers and maintenance teams across multiple sites. Build capability and succession plans within the engineering function. Promote Kepak values: Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and Teamwork.

Travel: As this role covers our Foods Division both UK and Ireland, regular travel may be required.

Qualifications:

• Degree (or higher) in Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in FMCG/food manufacturing, with at least 5 years in senior multi-site engineering leadership.
• Proven track record in governance of engineering projects, asset care, and compliance.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing Capex budgets.
• Skilled in project management methodologies and continuous improvement.

What you will bring to the role:

• Strategic thinker with strong governance and risk management capability.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making ability.
• Expertise in compliance, health & safety, and engineering standards.
• Ability to drive change and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

What can we offer you?

• Company Pension
• Bonus scheme
• Further Education support
• Employee Discount Platform - All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
• Cycle to Work Scheme - You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
• Long Service Awards - We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees.