Job Location: Halstead, Essex
Company Description
Ferrero is a family-owned company with a truly progressive and global outlook and iconic brands such as Nutella®, Tic Tac®, Ferrero Rocher®, Raffaello®, Kinder Bueno® and Kinder Surprise®. As the love for our brands continues to grow, so too does our global reach. Represented in more than 50 countries, with products sold in more than 170, the Ferrero Group is revered by generations around the world. The secret to our global success? 38,767 devoted employees who celebrate care and quality to craft a business, careers and brands we are proud of. Join us, and you could be one of them.
Diversity Statement
Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all of our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative and highly rewarding.
About the Role:
We are looking for a proactive and technically experienced Maintenance Manager to lead the maintenance strategy at our Halstead site. This is a pivotal role, responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of plant equipment and infrastructure through effective planning, execution, and continuous improvement of maintenance operations.
You will drive operational excellence by aligning investment planning with plant needs, supporting preventive and condition-based maintenance, and enabling technical upgrades and projects. Through effective cross-functional collaboration and strong supplier and team leadership, you’ll support the long-term resilience of the site.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a core function in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where care, quality, and innovation matter.
Main Responsibilities:
As Maintenance Manager, you will lead the development and oversight of the plant’s maintenance budget, working closely with the business to ensure accurate forecasting, diligent expenditure tracking, and clear justification for any variances. You will be accountable for both planned and reactive maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), safety regulations, and Ferrero’s internal standards. A key part of your role will be supporting the evolution of maintenance policies and ensuring all documentation, handbooks, and technical instructions remain current and effective.
You will collaborate with cross-functional teams during the design and installation phases of new machinery, ensuring that assembly, commissioning, and technical specifications are delivered to standard and within timeline. You’ll also oversee the procurement of materials, equipment, and services, ensuring the right balance of internal resources and subcontracted support to maintain optimal plant performance.
In planning maintenance interventions, you’ll work with Plant Operations to assess resource availability and prioritise activities based on operational needs. You will ensure execution aligns with best practices, and lead root cause analyses where required, using technical KPIs and data insights to identify and implement corrective actions. Continuous improvement will be central to your role — you will identify technical and process enhancements at both equipment and system levels, monitor their success, and contribute to the development of long-term asset strategies.
You’ll play a critical role in managing supplier relationships, from defining technical specifications to evaluating performance and ensuring quality and safety compliance. In addition, you will support the professional development of the maintenance team through structured training plans and coaching, while also contributing to recruitment, absence management, and performance evaluations. You’ll collaborate with internal stakeholders on new project requests and investment planning, ensuring technical feasibility, efficiency, and consistency throughout the machinery lifecycle.
Who we are looking for:
We’re seeking an experienced engineer with a strong background in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, ideally gained within an automated, fast-moving manufacturing environment — preferably in food production.
You’ll have a solid track record in maintenance leadership, including budget management, supplier coordination, and team development. Your technical credibility is matched by strong communication and analytical skills, and a commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
You will thrive in a hands-on leadership role that requires cross-functional collaboration, adaptability, and a passion for enabling high standards and reliable plant operations.
How to be successful in the role and at Ferrero:
At Ferrero, our dedication and focus on consumers, quality, and care drives everything we do. As a member of our team, your commitment to placing consumers at the forefront of your work is paramount. Your skills and aspirations will be cherished and nurtured, and your contributions will make a lasting impact. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, innovate, and raise the bar in the confectionary industry.
Join us on this rewarding journey, where the satisfaction of our consumers and the pride in our craftsmanship fuel our success.