Engineering & Manufacturing Director

NationalAbout the roleAt Royal Mail we\’ve served our communities for over 500 years, helping to lead and transform the postal delivery market on a global scale. We\’re currently innovating and transforming our business for the future, and to get there, we need exceptionally talented, resilient, and driven people.At the heart of that transformation journey is the National Engineering and Process Design Team, in which this critical role as Engineering and Manufacturing Director is positioned. This is a senior-level strategic leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering the future of our engineering and manufacturing capability. The Engineering & Manufacturing Director leads a large, multi-disciplinary team and is accountable for the full lifecycle of engineering and automation projects, from concept and design through to build, commissioning, and customer handover.The successful candidate will be an experienced engineering leader with a strong technical foundation in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and a specialism in Automation. However, this role is not about hands-on delivery-it is about setting direction, creating vision, and leading people, but also someone who has the ability to coach and influence at all levels of the team. The role holder will be expected to develop and drive strategy, build high-performing teams, and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.Operating within a matrix structure, the Engineering & Manufacturing Director will lead confidently in ambiguous and fast-paced environments, balancing competing priorities and aligning cross-functional teams. They will work closely with senior stakeholders across Finance, Commercial, Technology, HR, and other functions to ensure engineering and manufacturing strategies are fully integrated with broader business goals.This is a role for a visionary and influential leader-someone who can inspire teams, manage complexity, and deliver transformational outcomes at scale, but also have the demonstrable ability to lead from the front and provide technical guidance.If you feel this role would be for you, and you have the energy, skills and leadership to transform Royal Mail Operations, then would love to hear from you Be part of Royal Mail\’s change story, get involved today and be part of the journey to transform our operations introducing cutting edge technology and ways of working that delights our customers. More details and how to apply can be found below.Reporting into the Engineering and Process Design Director.This is a hybrid working role with a requirement for frequent travel across UK and Ireland, with the flexibility to work from various sites including the Gloucester Manufacturing Facility.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the engineering and manufacturing teams to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions across process design, automation, and facility development.
• Coach and mentor technical teams in the development of concept designs and functional design specifications (FDS) that meet customer requirements.
• Oversee and guide the application of engineering first principles in mechanical, electrical, and automation design, ensuring solutions are fit for manufacture.
• Provide strategic direction for the build and commissioning of manufacturing facilities, embedding continuous improvement and long-term maintainability.
• In times of need have the skill to start with a blank piece of paper and lead from the front, producing designs & solutions.
• Demonstrates commitment to and communicating Royal Mail\’s operational vision across the business.
• Establish and align cross-functional project teams, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and grow talent, identifying resource needs, recruiting where necessary, and supporting team development to meet project and organizational objectives.
• Set and monitor delivery plans, identifying critical paths and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Lead project governance, ensuring regular updates via NPDI systems and participation in weekly project reviews (DFMA, FMEA, etc.).
• Champion value for money (VFM) principles, guiding teams in make vs. buy decisions and cost-effective engineering practices.
• Oversee procurement strategy, ensuring component, material, and supplier selection aligns with VFM and project requirements.
• Direct supplier and internal manufacturing performance, ensuring quality, timelines, and standards are met.
• Lead installation and commissioning activities, ensuring risks are managed and progress is communicated effectively.
• Define and communicate customer acceptance criteria, ensuring successful launch and handover planning.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation across design, process, procurement, and delivery.
• Ensure compliance leadership, embedding regulatory requirements such as CDM, UKCA, PUWER into project planning and execution.
• Lead national maintenance operations, ensuring reactive and preventative strategies are in place and aligned with full lifecycle planning for all equipment.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with trade unions, ensuring open communication, collaboration, and alignment on workforce matters and operational changes.

Qualifications

• A proven engineering leader with a strong technical foundation in Mechanical, Electrical, or Controls & Automation Engineering, and extensive experience delivering complex, automated process equipment and manufacturing solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and engage large, multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a high-performance culture and developing talent at all levels.
• Skilled in coaching and mentoring engineering and manufacturing professionals, with a track record of building capability and driving accountability.
• Ability to deliver through ambiguity, working in a matrix structure and take a broad pipeline view to challenges. A rational, analytical thinker able to interact well at all levels of the organization, from Executive Board to front line.
• Experienced in delivering complex, multi-site projects from concept to completion, with a focus on strategic alignment, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and within a matrix structure, balancing competing priorities and aligning cross-functional teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders across Finance, Commercial, Technology, HR, and other key functions.
• Deep understanding of value for money (VFM) engineering principles and their application in project delivery and procurement strategy.
• Knowledgeable in compliance and regulatory frameworks including CDM, UKCA, PUWER, and experienced in embedding these into engineering and construction programmes.
• A confident, visionary leader who can inspire teams, drive change, and deliver results at scale.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, plus car allowance, healthcare, 35% annual bonus potential, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates, Family friendly support – enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave
• Discounts and offers – there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills.
• Supportive and generous company sick pay
• Your Wellbeing – you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It\\\’s free, and it\\\’s for everyone.

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