We are looking for a proactive and experienced Facilities & Engineering Lead to join our Operations team on a full-time basis in Westerham. In this key leadership role, you will oversee the Engineering and Maintenance teams, ensure efficient site operations while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing and facilities. You’ll take a hands-on approach to optimising processes, managing projects, and developing a high-performing team that delivers excellence every day.
What You’ll Be Doing
• Lead and manage the Manufacturing and Maintenance Engineering teams, providing daily support to Production and Facilities.
• Train, mentor and develop your team, building subject matter expertise across all areas of engineering.
• Drive operational excellence by delivering manufacturing improvement projects and NPI programmes on time, on budget, and to quality expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance processes using Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Develop strategies to optimise resource utilisation, increase production output and meet capacity requirements based on demand and operational forecasts.
• Enhance equipment utilisation through cycle time reduction and productivity initiatives.
• Oversee maintenance operations, ensuring equipment and machinery is serviced, repaired and inspected to minimise downtime.
• Implement predictive and preventative maintenance programmes to improve reliability and reduce breakdowns.
• Lead capital projects from conception to completion, including budgeting, scheduling, equipment procurement, installation and commissioning.
• Collaborate with NPD to introduce new products into manufacturing, including implementing engineering changes and ensuring seamless integration.
• Lead yield improvement initiatives within a Six Sigma framework and drive Failure Analysis (8D).
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, including SOPs, PFMEAs, control plans, routings, engineering changes, test procedures and training materials.
• Manage contracted works on-site, ensuring appropriate documentation and safe, compliant working practices.
What You’ll Already Have
Essential
• Significant experience leading Manufacturing and/or Maintenance Engineering teams.
• Experience designing and implementing new product lines using cellular manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of Lean methodologies.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and drive decision-making.
• Knowledge of Visual Management, 5S, SMED, Kanban, mixed-model flow lines and design for manufacturing/assembly.
• Experience managing contractors.
• Knowledge of EHS regulations related to facilities management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Desirable
• HNC in Manufacturing Engineering or a related field.
• Experience establishing new departments or functions, or experience in facility management.
• Capital project delivery experience.
• Manufacturing environment experience.
• Gas-related qualification or experience.
• Project management experience or qualification (Agile preferred).
Our Core Competencies
* Drives Results – Making things happen.
* Nimble Learning – Always remain curious.
* Collaborates – Use your network, sharing knowledge and skills.
* Plans and Aligns – Make it relevant, make it purposeful.
Our Purpose & Behaviours
At the heart of everything we do are our shared values and behaviours:
* We Think Big, Learn Fast
* We Work It Together
* We Make The Hard Call
Our Values
We commit to being a Home for all, empowering people to Make a Difference.
We are:
* Aligned – in our work together.
* Agile – in the face of change.
* Accountable – to our promises.
* Action – with integrity and transparency.
Why Join Us?
We reward not just the results but the positive impact you make along the way. With a pay-for-performance culture, we value curiosity, collaboration, and the drive to keep improving.
The Benefits
* 33 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
* Annual Incentive Plan
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Life Assurance & Pension Plan
* Health & Wellbeing Programme (including health cash plan)
* High Street Reward Scheme & Refer a Friend Programme
* Free Parking & Eye Care support
* Flexible working model
* Employee Recognition Programme
Our Hiring Process
* Initial discussion with our Resourcing Team.
* On-site interview process (1–2 stages depending on role).
* Successful candidates will be notified, and start dates confirmed.
If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Note for Recruitment Agencies: We manage our vacancies internally, preferring direct hires and referrals. When needed, we engage agencies from our Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Speculative CVs from agencies not on our PSL will not be considered, and no introduction fee will apply.