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- Tasks: Lead engineering initiatives and drive site improvements in a fast-growing food manufacturer.
- Company: Dynamic food manufacturer with a strong focus on values and innovation.
- Benefits: Bonus scheme, private medical care, and competitive salary up to ÂŁ75,000.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering in a pivotal role with real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong electro-mechanical engineering experience and leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and team expansion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
Bonus Scheme and Private Medical Care.
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.
This 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.
Expect a mix of:
- Strategic leadership (machinery strategy, capex, site master planning)
- 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.
What they’re looking for:
- They’re open on background, but attitude and capability matter more than job titles.
- You’ll likely bring:
- 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 don’t need a huge team behind you yet, but you do need the confidence to build one. 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.
Why this is worth a conversation:
- Real influence at site and leadership level
- Significant technical and project scope
- Clear runway for team and site expansion
- Salary flexibility: £55,000 – £75,000 depending on experience
I’ve had a very open, honest briefing with the Factory Lead and they know exactly where the gaps are and are genuinely invested in getting this hire right. Are you an up and coming or established Engineering leader who wants ownership, challenge and progression? I’d love to talk this through.
To apply for this role you must be a UK Resident. If you need any adjustments or support to take part in the recruitment or interview process, please let me know, I’m very happy to help.
Engineering Manager in Milton Keynes 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 Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing or FMCG sectors. 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 those interviews by brushing up on your electro-mechanical engineering knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with PLCs and automation, as well as how you've led teams through transitions from reactive to proactive engineering.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've organised and prioritised projects effectively. This role is all about building a team and raising standards, so let them know how you can make that happen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in Milton Keynes
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 electro-mechanical engineering experience and any relevant projects you've led in food manufacturing or FMCG.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've turned potential into performance and how you plan to raise the engineering bar at our factory.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, emphasise your people leadership skills. We want to know how you can develop and grow a small team while bringing structure and forward planning to the engineering function.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Oval Partnership
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's values, mission, and recent developments. Understanding their journey from a challenger brand to a multi-channel food business will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about strategic and people leadership. Be ready to discuss your approach to leading teams, especially in transitioning from reactive to proactive engineering. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members or improved processes in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your electro-mechanical engineering knowledge, particularly in food manufacturing. Expect questions on PLCs, controls, and fault-finding. Being able to articulate your experience with machinery upgrades and capex will set you apart as a strong candidate.
✨Demonstrate a Growth Mindset
The company is looking for someone who can turn potential into performance. Be prepared to discuss how you've approached continuous improvement in past roles. Highlight any initiatives you've led that resulted in significant enhancements in efficiency or team capability.
