Job Description
Job Description - Engineering Manager
Location: Bracknell, UK Reports to: Manufacturing Director Department: Engineering & Facilities
- Job Purpose
The Engineering Manager will lead engineering, maintenance and facilities across our manufacturing and distribution operations, ensuring equipment, buildings and infrastructure remain safe, reliable and efficient. The role requires a hands-on, commercially aware manager who can balance daily operational demands with long-term improvements and projects.
- Key Responsibilities
Engineering and Maintenance - Manage engineering and maintenance across two operational sites. - Ensure reliability and performance of production machinery, utilities and infrastructure. - Develop and implement maintenance programmes. - Manage contractors, equipment breakdowns, troubleshooting and root-cause analysis. - Coordinate engineering resources to minimise production downtime. - Manage spare parts, contractors and technical service providers. - Support the development of ISO 14001 certification.
Facilities and Infrastructure - Oversee manufacturing facilities, warehouses, offices and external infrastructure. - Manage compressed air, water systems, electrical installations and building services. - Coordinate building works, equipment installations and site modifications. - Manage maintenance and refurbishment contractors. - Oversee fire protection and critical safety infrastructure. - Ensure compliance with legislation, HSE and insurance requirements.
Health, Safety and Compliance - Ensure engineering activities comply with legislation and company policies. - Manage machinery safety assessments and PUWER/LOLER compliance. - Oversee electrical safety, fire safety, working at height and contractor management. - Maintain engineering records, inspections, risk assessments and maintenance documentation. - Address compliance issues and implement corrective actions. - Support ISO 45001 certification.
Budget and Commercial Management - Manage the annual engineering budget of approximately -800K. - Control expenditure and prioritise resources according to business needs. - Obtain and evaluate quotations and negotiate with suppliers and contractors.
Production and Operational Improvement - Work with Production, Operations, Supply Chain and Finance to support business objectives. - Deliver equipment upgrades and improvements to increase capacity and efficiency. - Support the introduction of new machinery, processes and packaging equipment.
- Team and Stakeholder Management
- Lead and coordinate an engineering team of four. - Allocate workloads, set priorities and support staff development. - Coordinate internal teams, contractors and specialist engineering companies. - Report on performance, projects, expenditure and operational risks to senior management. - Coordinate engineering projects across both sites.
- Scope of Responsibility
- Three operational sites, including one undergoing closure. - Over 300 items of production and plant machinery. - Annual engineering budget of approximately -800K. - Manufacturing and distribution business employing approximately 180 people.
- Required Experience and Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical or Manufacturing Engineering, or similar. - Significant engineering management experience in manufacturing or industry. - Experience managing maintenance, facilities and industrial equipment. - Experience managing budgets, contractors and suppliers. - Good understanding of machinery safety, H&S legislation and engineering compliance. - ISO 14001 or ISO 45001 experience advantageous. - Experience leading teams and cross-functional projects. - Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills. - Ability to manage competing operational priorities.
- Desirable Skills and Experience
- FMCG, packaging, chemical manufacturing or similar industrial experience. - Knowledge of compressed air, production machinery and building services. - SAP, ERP or CMMS experience. - Multi-site engineering management experience.
- Key Personal Attributes
- Practical, proactive and solutions-focused. - Commercially aware with strong budgetary discipline. - Able to work independently and make sound decisions. - Strong contractor management and communication skills. - Able to prioritise safety, production continuity and equipment reliability.
- Key Performance Indicators
- Equipment availability and reduced unplanned downtime. - Completion of preventative maintenance. - Engineering expenditure against budget. - Completion of statutory inspections and compliance actions. - Reduced maintenance costs and recurring failures. - Engineering team and contractor performance.