Engineering Maintenance Manager

Position: Engineering Maintenance Manager
Location: Hampshire (Commutable from Andover, Eastleigh, Southampton, Winchester)
Salary: £55,000 + Bonus
Monday – Friday
Zest have partnered with a rapidly growing and successful food manufacturer in the heart of Hampshire.
This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a strong team of Engineers and develop a department that consistently delivers high performance, reliability, and continuous improvement across the site. You\’ll play a key role in driving engineering standards, mentoring your team, and supporting site-wide initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce downtime.
Responsibilities:
* Lead and motivate the engineering team to deliver high performance, including planning holiday cover, succession, and accountability.
* Manage daily operations of the maintenance department, driving delivery against KPIs and production demands.
* Communicate business goals and expectations effectively, ensuring alignment across departments.
* Maintain all engineering activities in compliance with H&S, food safety, hygiene, and HR policies.
* Develop and implement maintenance schedules and SOPs in line with statutory and internal safety standards.
* Manage engineering spares stock levels, costs, and availability.
* Respond proactively and reactively to plant downtime and equipment issues, working closely with production teams.
* Oversee contractors, permits to work, and site projects to ensure compliance and timely delivery.
* Own the Engineering Pillar and support Operational Excellence (OPEX) programmes.
* Maintain key documentation, conduct internal audits, and ensure the department is always \’audit ready.\’
* Liaise with external suppliers, utility providers, and regulatory authorities as required.
* Manage engineering budgets, control spend, and report on financial and operational performance.
* Support team development through mentoring, coaching, and structured training.
* Chair employee relations matters (disciplinary, grievance, capability) when required.
* Be part of the site management team, attending meetings (T1, T2, T3, SLT reviews) and supporting cross-functional goals.
* Drive quality and food safety culture by encouraging incident reporting, feedback, and engagement.
What we need from you:
* Proven experience in leading maintenance or engineering functions in a manufacturing or production environment.
* Relevant electrical and mechanical qualifications.
* Up-to-date CPD training relevant to engineering management.
* Strong working knowledge of food safety, quality, and H&S standards.
* Confident communicator with the ability to influence, support, and challenge at all levels.
* Strong analytical and reporting skills with Intermediate Excel proficiency.
* Commercial awareness and experience managing engineering budgets and supplier relationships.
* Hands-on approach to mentoring, developing teams, and managing performance.
* Familiarity with permit systems, audit standards, and maintenance best practices.
* Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
* Ability to work cross-functionally and drive site-wide engagement in engineering initiatives.
* Commitment to sustainability, waste reduction, and reducing carbon footprint.
For more information, contact George on 01780 483999 or
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