Head of Engineering

About the role

We are partnering with a fast‑growing UK contract manufacturer in the food and wellness sector. The Head of Engineering will lead the engineering function, shaping people, processes and technology to support rapid growth, automation and scale.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the engineering team across the manufacturing site, establishing standards, maintenance disciplines and a high‑performance culture.
• Coach, mentor and develop Lead Engineers and the wider engineering workforce.
• Drive improvements in equipment reliability, uptime, planned maintenance and overall asset performance.
• Design and implement robust preventative maintenance strategies and maximise use of the CMMS.
• Oversee engineering involvement in CAPEX projects, new machinery installations, commissioning and future site development.
• Manage engineering budgets, contractor performance, supplier relationships and overall expenditure.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, Technical, Planning and Projects teams to enhance operational performance.

Required profile

• Proven senior engineering leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong track record of building and developing high‑performing engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to improve equipment reliability and implement effective maintenance programmes.
• Experience managing large CAPEX projects and new equipment roll‑outs.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Required skills

• Hands‑on experience with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Expertise in preventative maintenance planning and execution.
• Knowledge of CAPEX project management within manufacturing.