Engineering Manager -
Near Milton Keynes | Food Manufacturing SME, 80 people on site
£55,000 – £75,000 (DOE)
Bonus Scheme and Private Medical Care.
I'm working with a fast-growing, values-led food manufacturer that's at a pivotal stage of its factory journey. This is a senior, hands-on engineering leadership role where you'll shape the long-term capability of the site, not just keep the lights on.
My client has grown from a challenger brand into a multi-channel food business supplying all the major UK retailers, with international expansion underway across Europe and the US. The factory produces some of the brand's best-known products and is now gearing up for site expansion, increased automation, and more technically complex machinery.
This role sits on the Factory Senior Leadership Team and reports directly into the Factory Lead. It's a genuine opportunity to step in, raise the engineering bar, and build something properly.
What this role is really about
This isn't a "steady-state" maintenance job.
You'll be setting the engineering and maintenance direction for the factory, bringing structure, forward planning and technical depth where it's needed most. The site has good people, but they need someone to join the dots, prioritise properly, and lead the transition from reactive to proactive engineering.
Expect a mix of:
* Strategic leadership (machinery strategy, capex, site master planning)
* Electro-mechanical depth (PLC, controls, wiring, automation)
* People leadership (developing and growing a small but committed team)
* Projects (layout changes, machinery upgrades, future capacity)
The engineering function will grow, and this role will grow with it.
What they're looking for:
They're open on background, but attitude and capability matter more than job titles.
You'll likely bring:
* Strong electro-mechanical engineering experience in Food Manufacturing or FMCG
* Confidence with PLCs, controls, machine wiring and fault-finding
* (Allen Bradley experience is a big plus)
* Experience owning or influencing capex, automation and machinery upgrades
* The ability to organise, prioritise and lead — not just fix
* A mindset geared towards growth, structure and continuous improvement
You don't need a huge team behind you yet, but you do need the confidence to build one.
Team & Culture
You'll inherit a small engineering function with good knowledge on site, but limited structure. One team member is excellent at reactive problem-solving; another needs development and direction. What they lack is someone who can pull it all together, plan properly, and raise standards.
If you enjoy turning potential into performance, this will suit you.
Why this is worth a conversation
* Real influence at site and leadership level
* Significant technical and project scope
* Clear runway for team and site expansion
* Salary flexibility: £55,000 – £75,000 depending on experience
I've had a very open, honest briefing with the Factory Lead and they know exactly where the gaps are and are genuinely invested in getting this hire right.
Are you an up and coming or established Engineering leader who wants ownership, challenge and progression, I'd love to talk this through.
To apply for this role you must be a UK Resident.
If you need any adjustments or support to take part in the recruitment or interview process, please let me know, I'm very happy to help.