Group Head of Engineering in Swindon

Renfrewshire | Up to £65,000 DOE + Excellent Benefits

Lead Engineering. Lead the Sites. Shape the Future.

You are: a problem solver who wants to build something meaningful. You are comfortable with creating business strategy and leading its execution. You are secure in your authority and ready to shape a significant transformation programme.

The job: An opportunity to influence the future of engineering for one of Scotland's most respected manufacturing businesses. You'll have the autonomy to define engineering strategy, drive major improvements across multiple sites, and build a high-performing engineering culture that leaves a lasting impact on the organisation. This isn't a traditional maintenance management role.

As Group Head of Engineering, you'll take ownership of the engineering function across both the Inchinnan and Greenock manufacturing sites. Your responsibility extends beyond production equipment, encompassing the engineering infrastructure that supports the entire operation, including site services, utilities, facilities and compliance. Your focus will be on ensuring both sites operate safely, efficiently and reliably while supporting future business growth.

Initially based at Inchinnan, you'll work alongside the current Engineering Manager during a structured handover before assuming full responsibility for the Group Engineering function. You'll develop a consistent engineering strategy across both sites, implementing common standards, systems and best practice that improve reliability, reduce downtime and support operational excellence.

This is very much a player-coach position. We're looking for someone who enjoys being visible on the factory floor, supporting engineers, solving problems and leading by example, whilst also contributing strategically as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.

What you'll receive:

• Salary up to £65,000 depending on experience
• Company pension (5% employee / 3% employer contribution)
• Life Insurance
• Spark wellbeing and benefits programme
• Staff discounts
• 29 days holiday (20 days annual leave plus 9 public holidays)
• Additional annual leave with long service
• Genuine autonomy to shape the Group engineering function
• Opportunity to influence operational performance across multiple manufacturing sites
• Join an established Scottish manufacturer where decisions are made quickly and improvements can be implemented without unnecessary bureaucracy

The Role:

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you'll report directly to the Site Directors at both Inchinnan and Greenock, leading the Group Engineering function and driving engineering excellence across both manufacturing sites. You'll be responsible for improving equipment reliability, reducing downtime, ensuring statutory compliance and developing engineering systems that support long-term business performance. Working closely with Production and Operations, you'll identify opportunities to improve efficiency while creating a proactive engineering culture throughout the business.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the Group Engineering function across both manufacturing sites.
• Take responsibility for the engineering infrastructure supporting the entire operation, including production equipment, utilities, facilities and site services.
• Develop a consistent engineering strategy, standards and ways of working across both sites.
• Transition the business from reactive maintenance to a robust Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) culture.
• Improve equipment reliability through root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Introduce effective engineering KPIs, reporting and downtime analysis.
• Develop maintenance systems that improve visibility of engineering performance.
• Identify critical assets and implement effective maintenance and spare parts strategies.
• Ensure statutory inspections, engineering compliance and maintenance records are fully maintained.
• Support production by reducing bottlenecks and improving operational efficiency.
• Lead capital investment projects, equipment upgrades and machinery replacement programmes.
• Recruit, develop and coach engineering teams across both sites.
• Build strong relationships with contractors, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with Production, Operations and fellow Senior Leadership Team members to improve business performance.
• Provide hands-on engineering leadership during significant breakdowns and operational challenges when required.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for someone who combines outstanding technical engineering expertise with strong commercial awareness and proven leadership capability. You'll be equally comfortable discussing engineering strategy with Directors as you are supporting engineers on the factory floor. You'll ideally have:

• Proven engineering leadership experience within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading engineering across multiple sites or the ambition to step into a Group-level leadership role.
• Strong technical knowledge across both mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines.
• A recognised engineering qualification through apprenticeship, HNC/HND, Degree or equivalent, with practical expertise across both mechanical and electrical engineering.
• A proven track record of improving equipment reliability and reducing downtime.
• Experience implementing successful Planned Preventative Maintenance programmes.
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing engineering budgets, contractors and supplier relationships.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and people development skills.
• Food manufacturing experience would be advantageous but isn’t essential.

Who will succeed in this role?

You'll be someone who enjoys taking ownership, making decisions and seeing improvements through to completion. You'll thrive in a role that combines strategic leadership with a hands-on approach, taking responsibility for engineering performance across the entire operation while building a culture of continuous improvement. This opportunity would suit:

• An experienced Engineering Manager ready to step into a broader Group leadership role.
• An established Head of Engineering looking for greater autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future engineering strategy of a successful Scottish manufacturing business.

Apply now! Please send us an up-to-date copy of your CV, by clicking the Apply button. This position is only available to applicants who have immediate Right to Work in the UK and you will be required to provide evidence of such upon request. Also required are up-to-date contact details for at least 2 references.

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