Job Description
Engineering Manager
Location: Newtownards
Company Profile
We are representing a well-established and growing food manufacturer supplying retail, foodservice and B2B customers across the UK and Ireland. They are focused on improving reliability, investing in their sites and building a strong engineering function to support continued growth.
Role Purpose
The Engineering Manager will lead the site engineering function, ensuring equipment reliability, compliance and effective maintenance planning. This is a leadership role focused on strategy, people management and performance, rather than a hands-on maintenance position.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop the engineering team, setting clear priorities, standards and ways of working.
* Develop and deliver the site engineering strategy aligned with operational and business objectives.
* Own preventative and planned maintenance programmes to maximise equipment uptime and reliability.
* Drive improvements in downtime reduction, asset care and overall equipment performance.
* Ensure full compliance with health and safety and statutory engineering requirements.
* Maintain accurate engineering documentation, procedures and records.
* Manage the engineering budget, including cost control and spend forecasting.
* Oversee external contractors, service providers and equipment suppliers.
* Ensure all contractor activity is carried out safely and to agreed standards.
* Support and lead capital projects, equipment upgrades and installations.
* Work closely with Operations, Production and Technical teams to support site performance.
* Provide engineering input into process changes and new product introductions.
* Support internal and external audits when required.
Skills and Experience
* Experience in an Engineering Manager or engineering leadership role within manufacturing.
* Strong understanding of maintenance strategy, reliability and asset care.
* Proven people leadership experience managing engineers and technicians.
* Good knowledge of health and safety legislation and engineering compliance.
* Experience managing budgets, contractors and capital projects.
* Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
* Structured, calm and professional leadership style with a continuous improvement mindset.