This senior role in one of the Vita Group’s largest manufacturing, high hazard (CoMAH / SEVESO) sites is responsible for leading and overseeing all engineering activities; ensuring optimal safety, performance and efficiency of a diverse set of production processes and equipment; including polyurethane foam (PU) manufacturing lines, rebonded PU foaming lines, a large and complex warehouse and a high number of conversion and fabrication processes.
This role involves strategic planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and cost-effective solutions. The manager will supervise a team of engineers and project managers, manage capital projects (some major), and ensure compliance with high (safety and environmental) regulatory demands. A strong focus on quality, reliability, and operational excellence is essential.
Essential duties and responsibilities
Include the following:
Health, Safety and the Environment
* Accountable for HS&E performance within the engineering department
* Contributing to site HS&E risk improvement program
* Leading the site emergency response team in a major incident
* Will assume engineering function lead with internal and external process safety / CoMAH audits
* Compliance with Regulations: Ensure all engineering activities comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental legislation (e.g., HSE, COSHH, PUWER, Pressure equipment, LOLER, LEV, EAWR).
* Change Management: Manage engineering changes through formal change control processes, ensuring safety impact assessments are completed
* Risk Assessments: Lead and review risk assessments for engineering projects, maintenance tasks, and equipment modifications
* Safe System of Work: Develop and enforce safe systems of work, including permits to work, lockout/tagout procedures, and confined space entry protocols.
* High hazard materials: Establishment, maintenance and development of controls for handling and storing high hazard chemicals used in foam production (e.g., TDI, polyols, powders, dust); including loss of containment protective systems, manufacturing exotherm management, ATEX zone management and emergency response plans.
* Mandatory standards: Ensure all relevant internal standards are adhered to; eg: machinery guarding, chemical safety, contractor management
* Training & Competency: Ensure engineering staff are trained and competent in health and safety procedures, including emergency response and equipment operation.
* Demonstrates visual ‘felt’ leadership through behavioural safety appraisals and 5S audits with coaching on required corrective action
* Process safety: lead process safety on site part owning HAZOP/ LOPA CoMAH safety report
Quality / Cost:
* Understanding and owning the major impact of engineering and maintenance inputs into the quality outputs from each of the operational areas
* Quality Standards Compliance: Ensure engineering activities align with relevant quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001, customer specifications, internal QA protocols)
* Process Control: Collaborate with production management teams to maintain and improve process controls that ensure consistent product quality
* Root Cause Analysis: Lead investigations into engineering failures including quality issues related to equipment or process failures, using structured problem-solving tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone Diagram)
* Continuous Improvement: Drive engineering-led initiatives to improve product quality, reduce process defects and enhance process capability (e.g., Pareto / ‘big 3’ losses, Six Sigma etc…)
* Change Management: Manage engineering changes through formal change control processes, ensuring quality impact / business interruption assessments are completed
Delivery / planning:
* Project Delivery: Ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of engineering projects, including equipment upgrades, process improvements, and infrastructure developments
* Maintenance Strategy Execution: Oversee the implementation of planned, preventative, and reactive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and ensure operational continuity
* Capital Projects Management: Lead the planning, budgeting, and execution of capital expenditure projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and ROI expectations
* Technical Problem Solving: Provide expert engineering support to resolve complex technical issues affecting all aspects of the operation
* Resource Planning: Allocate engineering resources effectively to meet site priorities, balancing short-term needs with long-term strategic goals
* Performance Monitoring: Track and report on engineering KPIs (e.g., equipment uptime, project milestones, maintenance compliance) to ensure accountability and continuous improvement
* Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with operations, quality, HSE, and supply chain teams to ensure engineering outputs support broader business objectives.
* Budget Control: Manage engineering budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to financial targets.
* Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of engineering activities, project progress, and technical changes for audit and operational transparency
* Create and implement plans for equipment overhaul or replacement where equipment is classed as aged assets
* Implement FMEA across all manufacturing assets and align maintenance plans to suit business needs
People:
* Leadership & Team Development: Provide clear direction, coaching, and support to engineering staff, fostering a high-performance culture and continuous professional development.
* Stakeholder Communication: Maintain effective communication with internal stakeholders (e.g., operations, quality, HSE, procurement) to align engineering outputs with business needs.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively across departments to ensure engineering initiatives support broader site objectives and operational efficiency.
* Conflict Resolution: Address and resolve interpersonal or cross-functional conflicts constructively, promoting a respectful and inclusive working environment.
* Performance Management: Set clear objectives, conduct regular performance reviews, and manage underperformance within the engineering team.
* Succession Planning: Identify and develop talent within the team to ensure continuity of leadership and technical expertise.
* Employee Engagement: Promote a positive work culture through recognition, involvement in decision-making, and responsiveness to employee feedback
General:
* Capital project business case build
* Duty holder for Electrical safety and Legionella control
* Responsible for managing site security
* Manage call out rota and member of emergency call out team
The Vita Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.
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