Found Food & Drink
Head of Engineering
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Head of Engineering
Location: Maidstone, Kent
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Build the Future of Engineering.
We're partnering with one of the UK's fastest-growing contract manufacturers operating within the food and wellness sector.
Following significant investment, continued commercial growth and ambitious expansion plans, the business is now looking to appoint a Head of Engineering to lead the next stage of its engineering evolution.
Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you'll take ownership of the engineering function, developing the people, systems, maintenance strategy and technical capability required to support a business entering its next phase of growth, automation and operational scale.
If you're someone who enjoys creating structure, developing engineering teams, improving equipment reliability and leaving a lasting legacy, this could be one of the most exciting engineering leadership opportunities currently available.
The Opportunity
You'll provide senior leadership across engineering, leading the engineering team while creating the systems, standards and maintenance disciplines needed to support a rapidly growing manufacturing business.
The business manufactures a wide range of products within highly regulated production environments and continues to invest heavily in new equipment, automation, site expansion and future manufacturing capability.
You'll play a central role in ensuring engineering becomes a key driver of operational performance, equipment reliability and future business growth.
This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role where you'll spend time on the factory floor supporting your team, driving engineering standards and working collaboratively across Production, Quality, Technical, Projects and Operations.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Leading the engineering function across the manufacturing operation.
- Coaching, mentoring and developing Lead Engineers and the wider engineering team.
- Building a high-performing engineering culture focused on accountability, reliability and technical excellence.
- Driving improvements across equipment reliability, uptime, planned maintenance, asset performance and engineering efficiency.
- Developing robust preventative maintenance strategies and ensuring the CMMS is utilised to its full potential.
- Leading engineering involvement in CAPEX projects, machinery installations, commissioning and future site development.
- Managing engineering budgets, contractor performance, supplier relationships and engineering expenditure.
- Working collaboratively with Production, Technical, Quality, Planning and Projects to improve overall operational performance.
- Supporting the future site expansion, equipment relocation and manufacturing growth strategy.
- Ensuring engineering standards, documentation, compliance and Health & Safety expectations are consistently achieved.
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We're Looking For
We're interested in experienced engineering leaders who thrive within fast-paced, regulated manufacturing environments.
Backgrounds could include:
- Food Manufacturing
- Nutraceuticals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Drink Manufacturing
- FMCG
- Cosmetics or Personal Care
You'll likely have experience as a:
- Head of Engineering
- Engineering Manager
- Senior Engineering Manager
- Engineering & Maintenance Manager
- Maintenance Manager
- Site Engineering Manager
Most importantly, you'll be an inspirational leader who enjoys developing engineering teams, raising technical standards and building engineering functions that are ready for future growth.
What You'll Bring
- Proven senior engineering leadership experience within a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading, developing and mentoring engineering teams.
- Strong understanding of planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive maintenance and asset reliability.
- Proven experience improving machinery performance, equipment reliability and engineering efficiency.
- Experience managing CAPEX projects, machinery installations, commissioning, site expansions or factory relocations.
- Strong technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Experience managing maintenance budgets, contractor performance, supplier relationships and engineering expenditure.
- A strong understanding of Health & Safety legislation and engineering compliance within a manufacturing environment.
- IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH General Certificate or an equivalent Health & Safety qualification would be highly desirable.
- Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments operating to standards such as GMP, BRCGS, HACCP and ISO.
- Exposure to Continuous Improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen or Lean Six Sigma would be advantageous.
- Excellent leadership, coaching and communication skills.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with a genuine hands-on approach on the factory floor.
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Experience within Food Manufacturing or Pharmaceutical Manufacturing would both be highly desirable.
Why This Opportunity?
Opportunities like this don't come around often.
You'll be joining a business that continues to invest heavily in its people, facilities and engineering capability, with exciting plans for further expansion over the coming years.
Rather than simply maintaining an established engineering department, you'll have genuine influence over how engineering evolves.
You'll play a key role in supporting a major site expansion, shaping future engineering strategy, leading significant equipment investment and developing an engineering function capable of supporting long-term business growth.
If you enjoy building, improving and making a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
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