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- Tasks: Lead engineering initiatives, enhance factory capabilities, and drive proactive maintenance strategies.
- Company: Fast-growing, values-led food manufacturer with exciting expansion plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of the factory.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a pivotal engineering leadership role.
- Qualifications: Strong electro-mechanical engineering experience, especially in Food Manufacturing or FMCG.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop a committed team and implement innovative engineering solutions.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
I'm working with a fast-growing, values-led food manufacturer that's at a pivotal stage of its factory journey. This is a senior, hands-on engineering leadership role where you'll shape the long-term capability of the site, not just keep the lights on. My client has grown from a challenger brand into a multi-channel food business supplying all the major UK retailers, with international expansion underway across Europe and the US. The factory produces some of the brand's best-known products and is now gearing up for site expansion, increased automation, and more technically complex machinery.
This role sits on the Factory Senior Leadership Team and reports directly into the Factory Lead. It's a genuine opportunity to step in, raise the engineering bar, and build something properly.
Role OverviewThis isn’t a “steady-state” maintenance job. You'll be setting the engineering and maintenance direction for the factory, bringing structure, forward planning and technical depth where it's needed most. The site has good people, but they need someone to join the dots, prioritise properly, and lead the transition from reactive to proactive engineering.
- Strategic leadership (machinery strategy, capex, site master planning)
- Electro-mechanical depth (PLC, controls, wiring, automation)
- People leadership (developing and growing a small but committed team)
- Projects (layout changes, machinery upgrades, future capacity)
The engineering function will grow, and this role will grow with it.
Requirements- Strong electro-mechanical engineering experience in Food Manufacturing or FMCG
- Confidence with PLCs, controls, machine wiring and fault-finding (Allen Bradley experience is a big plus)
- Experience owning or influencing capex, automation and machinery upgrades
- The ability to organise, prioritise and lead, not just fix
- A mindset geared towards growth, structure and continuous improvement
You’ll inherit a small engineering function with good knowledge on site, but limited structure. One team member is excellent at reactive problem-solving; another needs development and direction. What they lack is someone who can pull it all together, plan properly, and raise standards.
If you enjoy turning potential into performance, this will suit you.
Engineering Manager in England employer: The Oval Partnership
Contact Detail:
The Oval Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting roles, and applying directly can sometimes give you a leg up. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Engineering Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for engineering shine through. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past, especially in food manufacturing or FMCG. We want to see your passion for shaping the future of engineering!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your electro-mechanical engineering experience and any relevant projects you've led. We’re looking for someone who can bring structure and forward planning, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: This role is all about leading a team and driving change. In your application, share stories that showcase your ability to develop and grow teams. We want to know how you’ve turned potential into performance in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Oval Partnership
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your electro-mechanical engineering knowledge, especially around PLCs and automation. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on that involved machinery upgrades or fault-finding, as this will show your hands-on experience.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, particularly in a manufacturing or FMCG environment. Highlight your ability to organise, prioritise, and develop team members, as this role requires someone who can elevate the engineering function.
✨Think Strategically
Be ready to talk about your approach to strategic planning in engineering. Discuss how you've previously influenced capex decisions or contributed to site master planning, as this will demonstrate your capability to shape the long-term direction of the factory.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Share your mindset towards growth and continuous improvement. Prepare to discuss how you've implemented changes that led to proactive engineering practices rather than reactive fixes, as this aligns with what the company is looking for.