Lead Engineer (Electrical Bias)

Westmill is a specialist food supplier whose market leading brands include Elephant Atta, Amoy, Asli Atta, Lucky Boat, Patak’s, Pride, Rajah and Tolly Boy. Found in the best professional and home kitchens, our brands are respected for their quality and authenticity. Our vision is to be the market leader in every kitchen for trusted, authentic global foods, through working with our trade partners which include wholesale as well as cash and carry, food service, grocery and B2B channels. Westmill is a friendly, culturally and ethnically diverse environment, with a unique family feeling where no one feels like the new person for long and everybody has the chance to make a real difference to the business.

Role Purpose: To manage the engineering shift and resources to provide maximum availability of all production plant and support equipment. To ensure that the engineering shift is effective, flexible, and developed to meet current and future site demands. To implement initiatives that drive out costs, improve OEE and waste reduction. Liaise and support the FLM team ensuring high levels of shift performance are achieved. Embracing the site safety and Quality cultures. To ensure that the engineering team operates to maximise machine uptime, planned maintenance, health and safety, quality culture, hygiene, and budgetary requirements. The role requires a strong electrical bias and the ability to work effectively on a 12hr 4 shift pattern.

Role Dimensions:

• Reports to: Site Engineering Manager
• Direct reports: 2
• Indirect report: 0
• Budget holder: No
• Location: Trafford

Role Accountabilities:

• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 2 engineers. Allocate tasks and ensure efficient use of resources. Conduct regular team meetings and performance reviews.
• Maintenance and Repair: Supervise and participate in planned maintenance and repair of equipment. Diagnose and repair electrical faults. Ensure all maintenance activities are logged and documented. Check completed works and verify that repaired equipment is in a sound and safe operational condition.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to enhance equipment performance and reliability. Participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving activities. Support the implementation of lean manufacturing principles. Improve the effectiveness of engineering work plans to maximize plant efficiency.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure all work is carried out in compliance with health and safety regulations. Conduct risk assessments and ensure safe working practices. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of electrical standards and regulations. Issue appropriate permits to work (PTWs) to internal and external engineers and contractors.
• Project Management: Lead small to medium-sized engineering projects. Coordinate with other departments to ensure project objectives are met. Manage project timelines and budgets.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities and equipment performance. Prepare and present reports on engineering activities and performance metrics. Ensure all documentation is up-to-date and compliant with company standards. Provide the engineering manager and planner with required records and paperwork of all completed jobs.
• Resource Management: Ensure optimum levels of stock are maintained by recording usage and confirming parts requests. Manage contractor works in line with agreed engineering procedures. Act as the Engineering Shift Team CMMS superuser; support system implementation and control across phases, and train users to the correct standard.

Qualifications: Recognised Engineering Apprenticeship (Electrical or Multi skilled). ONC or BTEC equivalent HNC (desirable).

Knowledge/ Skills / Experience:

• Strong electrical and mechanical maintenance skills.
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in using maintenance management software.
• Specific understanding of health and safety regulations related to engineering.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement techniques.
• Performance setting and measurement.
• Implementation and maintenance of systems.
• Knowledge of site production processes.
• Contract control and permit-to-work procedures.

Personal Attributes: Proactive and self-motivated. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Strong attention to detail. Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.