A well-established Irish food manufacturer is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead its Engineering and Maintenance function. This is a newly created senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Operations Director, with full responsibility for engineering strategy, plant reliability, maintenance, capital investment, and continuous improvement across the manufacturing site.
The Role
As Head of Engineering, you will lead the Engineering and Maintenance teams, driving operational excellence through improved equipment reliability, reduced downtime, enhanced OEE, and effective asset management. You will oversee engineering strategy, maintenance planning, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives while partnering closely with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Health & Safety.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Engineering and Maintenance functions, including the Maintenance Manager and engineering team.
- Develop and implement the site's engineering and maintenance strategy.
- Drive improvements in OEE, equipment reliability, plant performance, and maintenance effectiveness.
- Establish preventative and predictive maintenance programmes and optimise CMMS systems.
- Deliver capital investment projects from concept through commissioning.
- Manage engineering budgets, contractors, and external suppliers.
- Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives across the site.
- Ensure compliance with health & safety, environmental, and food manufacturing regulations.
- Develop engineering capability, succession planning, and a high-performance culture.
Requirements
- Degree qualified in Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5+ years' senior engineering leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, or another highly automated manufacturing environment.
- Strong background in maintenance, reliability engineering, and asset management.
- Proven experience delivering capital projects and engineering improvement programmes.
- Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, budgeting, and continuous improvement skills.
Package
- 10% annual bonus
- 5% employer pension contribution (5% employee contribution)
- 24 days annual leave (including Christmas Eve)
- Senior leadership opportunity with significant influence over site performance and future engineering strategy
