Our client is a globally recognised consumer brand with a strong presence across EMEA and beyond, known for delivering high-quality, high-performance products at scale.
Operating through a complex network of co-packers, suppliers, and manufacturing partners, the business places significant emphasis on engineering excellence, packaging integrity, and consistent product delivery across all markets. Their EMEA operation plays a critical role in driving innovation, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring seamless execution across an expanding international footprint.
This is a business that combines pace, scale, and technical complexity—offering strong exposure to international projects and the opportunity to influence manufacturing standards across multiple regions.
The Opportunity:
Our client is looking to appoint Engineering Managers to support manufacturing and packaging operations across Western Europe, with wider EMEA regional exposure.
This is a highly hands-on, field-based role focused on plant start-ups, supplier qualification, and ensuring consistent production and packaging performance across a diverse network. You will play a key role in maintaining engineering standards, supporting new site launches, and driving continuous improvement across manufacturing partners.
The role offers significant international exposure and would suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced, operational environment with high levels of autonomy.
Responsibilities:
* Lead and support plant start-ups across EMEA, ensuring production and packaging meet required standards
* Qualify suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure packaging (cans, bottles, caps, trays, shrink, etc.) performs to required specifications
* Monitor and assess filling line and process performance during trials and ongoing production
* Support OEMs and site teams on new plant set-ups, including equipment specification and performance standards
* Develop and maintain equipment specifications and packaging standards across the region
* Maintain and update packaging and engineering documentation (current and archived files)
* Lead engineering-related projects and coordinate activity across regional teams
* Investigate product quality issues and customer complaints, developing corrective action plans
* Conduct site visits across co-packers, suppliers, and warehouses to assess processes and ensure product integrity
* Standardise machine settings and specifications to ensure consistent packaging quality
* Support the development of SOPs, work instructions, and safety procedures
* Collaborate with internal teams to communicate best practices, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives
* Support SAP-related activities including weights and measurements across plants
* Provide cross-cover for other Engineering Managers and leadership as required
Requirements:
* Degree-qualified in Engineering or a related discipline
* c.10+ years’ experience within a food & beverage or FMCG production environment
* Strong understanding of packaging and manufacturing processes (canning, bottling, filling lines, etc.)
* Proven experience supporting plant start-ups, commissioning, or supplier qualification
* Experience working across multiple sites or regions, ideally within EMEA
* Strong knowledge of production performance metrics and process optimisation
* Comfortable operating in a highly autonomous, field-based role with significant travel
* Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence external partners and internal teams
* Proactive, solutions-focused, and able to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
* Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and documentation processes is advantageous
Additional Information:
* Hybrid working: c.2–3 days per week in the Uxbridge office
* Travel: up to 50–70% across EMEA (typically closer to 50%)