At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and build the engineering team for a fast-scaling dog food business.
- Company: Join Years, a revolutionary startup dedicated to healthier dog nutrition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, learning budget, wellbeing support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with opportunities for personal growth and team activities.
- Why this job: Shape engineering standards and make a real impact in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background and leadership experience in production environments.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
Join Our Pack. From a bold idea to revolutionising dog food, Years has grown into a fast-scaling business dedicated to helping dogs live longer, healthier lives. In just 3 years, we’ve built a great start-up business, serving thousands of happy customers, all while striving to achieve our mission. Our goal? To give dog owners a better, fresher, and healthier way to feed their pets. We provide human cut, personalised meals designed to support each dog’s unique needs, delivered straight to their door - no preservatives, no compromises, just real nutrition. You can find our customers across the UK, with future ambitions to scale internationally and continue transforming how people care for their dogs.
Your Mission: As our Engineering Manager, you’ll build and lead the engineering function at a fast-scaling food production business - taking full ownership of reliability, maintenance strategy, and engineering standards across the site. This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role where you’re not inheriting a legacy system - you’re building it. From day one, you’ll shape how engineering operates: designing preventative maintenance systems, setting standards, building a team, and creating the infrastructure required to support production at scale. You’ll balance hands-on problem solving with strategic thinking - driving down downtime, improving equipment performance, and implementing systems that move the business from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-led engineering. If you’re someone who takes pride in building high-performing teams, enjoys solving complex operational problems, and wants to leave a lasting mark on a growing business - this role gives you that platform.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Build, recruit, and lead the Engineering team - setting clear standards, structure, and daily direction
- Design and implement a preventative maintenance (PPM) and asset care programme from the ground up
- Own and improve engineering KPIs - downtime, MTTR, MTBF, and PPM adherence
- Lead reactive and proactive engineering activity to maximise equipment reliability
- Drive continuous improvement projects to reduce downtime and improve line performance
- Oversee installation, commissioning, and optimisation of new machinery and upgrades
- Ensure full compliance with health & safety and food manufacturing standards
- Manage engineering budget, contractor relationships, and supplier sourcing
- Build and maintain an organised, well-equipped workshop and spares system
- Work closely with Production, NPD, and Operations on trials, automation, and scale-up initiatives
- Embed a culture of accountability, safety, and engineering excellence
What You’ll Bring:
- Strong mechanical and electrical engineering background within a production or manufacturing environment
- Proven experience leading or stepping into a leadership role within engineering
- Experience building or running preventative maintenance (PPM) systems
- Solid understanding of production equipment - conveyors, mixers, weighers, chillers, packaging lines
- Exposure to automation and PLC-controlled systems
- Experience managing budgets, contractors, and external suppliers
- Strong understanding of health & safety within a food or regulated environment
- Flexibility - there may be some evening and weekend work required based on project requirements (agreed directly with Line Management where needed)
How You Work:
- You take ownership - you don’t wait for systems, you build them
- You’re hands-on when needed but think strategically about long-term improvements
- You prioritise effectively and stay calm under pressure
- You communicate clearly across teams and bring people with you
- You set high standards and build a culture that reflects them
- You’re driven by continuous improvement and measurable results
What’s In It For You?
- £55,000 - £65,000 PA
- Medicash Cash Back programme
- Annual £250.00 Learning & Development budget for courses, books or other self-learn activities
- Access to Spill EAP and Mental Wellbeing support
- Annual £200.00 Wellbeing budget
- Up to 2 weeks working abroad per year (selected roles)
- Monthly recognition through our Yappa of The Month programme
- 1 Volunteer day per year - dog themed or not: it’s your choice!
- Subsidised employee groups – from five a side to padel there’s loads to get involved in or the chance to start up your own group
- Exclusive discounts on Years and Years treats for yourself and friends/family
- Lunch & Learn programme - from dog first aid to financial savviness we’ve got sessions planned to cover all kinds of topics
- Casual dress
- Your birthday off or different day if it falls on a non-working day
- Ability to sell any unused holiday back to Years at the end of the Holiday Year (maximum 1 working week)
Engineering Manager in Nottingham employer: More Years
Years is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to take ownership and build systems from the ground up. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, we offer generous benefits including a learning budget, wellbeing support, and opportunities for international work, all while contributing to a mission that transforms the way dog owners care for their pets. Join us in a dynamic environment that values teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement, making a meaningful impact in the pet food industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to dog nutrition. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your experience in building and leading teams, especially in engineering. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to drive continuous improvement and manage projects effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to revolutionise dog food.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role and our mission shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours, especially when it comes to improving the lives of dogs!
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that matches the job description. We’re looking for specific skills in engineering management, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements in those areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your vision for building an engineering team and how you plan to drive continuous improvement. Keep it engaging and personal!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at More Years
✨Know Your Engineering Fundamentals
Brush up on your mechanical and electrical engineering principles, especially those relevant to food production. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, particularly in building or running preventative maintenance systems.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of how you've built and led high-performing teams. Highlight your approach to setting clear standards and fostering a culture of accountability and safety within engineering.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific instances where you tackled complex operational problems. Be ready to explain your thought process and the strategic improvements you implemented to enhance equipment reliability and performance.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with the company's mission to revolutionise dog food. Show your passion for their goals and how your engineering vision aligns with their commitment to providing real nutrition and improving the lives of dogs.
