Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic engineering team to drive operational excellence and safety in food manufacturing.
  • Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved food brands with a global vision.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a vibrant work culture.
  • Other info: Join a transformative journey in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of iconic UK brands while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Senior engineering experience in food manufacturing and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week. As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK. Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.

As Engineering Manager, you will lead the site’s strong engineering team, driving operational excellence, safety, and compliance. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust maintenance strategy, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability of the site’s equipment and infrastructure. You will also play a key role in continuous improvement, cost control, and strategic planning. You will oversee all engineering activities, ensuring they align with both internal and external compliance requirements. This includes conducting risk assessments, managing contractor safety, and maintaining a safe working environment.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that all maintenance and engineering projects meet food safety and quality standards, investigating and resolving any equipment-related product quality issues as they arise. A key aspect of the role will be the development and execution of a preventative maintenance program, ensuring a stable and reliably functioning site. When unexpected issues arise, you will be responsible for ensuring the team responds efficiently, minimising downtime while prioritising customer needs. Alongside this, you will review asset management plans and align maintenance strategies with the overall business objectives.

Managing the engineering budget will also be an important focus, ensuring cost-effective procurement of spare parts, labour, and equipment while delivering long‑term value to the business. Beyond day‑to‑day operations, you will oversee and drive engineering projects, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) to ensure successful delivery. Your leadership will be instrumental in guiding the team through these projects, balancing operational requirements with business goals.

People leadership is at the heart of this role. You will be responsible for developing and motivating the engineering team, ensuring they have clear objectives aligned with the wider operational strategy. Through regular one‑to‑ones, training plans, and structured performance reviews, you will foster a high‑performing team, ensuring continuous development and succession planning.

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in a senior engineering role, ideally within food manufacturing
  • Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering
  • Experience of leading site services (effluent, allergen and hazards)
  • Experience managing maintenance strategies and project planning
  • A track record of leading teams, driving performance, and managing change
  • Experience in a fast‑paced, evolving manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with project management software

Engineering Manager employer: Rowse Honey Ltd

At Valeo Foods UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets tradition. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and a culture that values collaboration and safety. Join us in our transformation journey, where your contributions will help shape the future of some of Britain's most beloved food brands while enjoying the benefits of working within a supportive and ambitious team.

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Contact Details:

Rowse Honey Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing industry, especially those who might know someone at Valeo Foods. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching Valeo Foods and their brands. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in engineering management. This will help you showcase how you can contribute to their exciting transformation journey.

Tip Number 3

Practice your STAR technique for answering behavioural questions. Think of specific situations where you’ve led teams, managed projects, or improved processes. This will help you demonstrate your leadership skills effectively during the interview.

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 the Valeo Foods family.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager

Operational Excellence
Safety Compliance
Maintenance Strategy Development
Continuous Improvement
Cost Control
Strategic Planning
Risk Assessment

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, engineering expertise, and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how you can contribute to our exciting journey!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about food manufacturing and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to include examples of how you've tackled unexpected challenges in previous roles. We love candidates who can think on their feet and keep things running smoothly, especially in a fast-paced environment like ours!

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 shows us you’re keen to join our family of brands!

How to prepare for a job interview at Rowse Honey Ltd

Know Your Engineering Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your electrical and mechanical engineering knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led, especially in food manufacturing. They’ll want to see how your experience aligns with their operational excellence goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've developed and motivated teams in the past. Valeo Foods UK is looking for someone who can foster a high-performing engineering team, so be ready to talk about your approach to performance reviews and training plans.

Understand Their Business Goals

Familiarise yourself with Valeo Foods UK's mission and values. Think about how your maintenance strategies and project management experience can align with their objectives. This shows that you're not just focused on engineering but also on contributing to the bigger picture.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect questions about how you would handle unexpected issues or equipment-related product quality problems. Prepare to discuss your approach to minimising downtime while prioritising customer needs, as this is crucial for their fast-paced environment.