Senior Engineering Leader

Permanent
Engineering
Experienced
mechanical engineering, maintenance, reliability, continuous improvement
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Suffolk
£60000 - £70000 per annum + 10% pension scheme, 25 days + bank hols

I'm looking for a mechanically biased individual to join our client's Engineering Support team as a Senior Engineering Leader. Reporting to the Engineering Support Manager, your role will include ensuring the integrity and operational fitness of all mechanical equipment. As a subject matter expert, you will drive local improvements in safety, reliability, and production efficiency across the site.

This role requires a strong understanding of industrial mechanical systems and a proven track record in leading and implementing maintenance improvement programs. Hands-on experience within an FMCG or large-scale manufacturing environment, along with knowledge of RCA, FMEA, and Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) principles, is essential.

Skills and Experience:

  • Chartered Mechanical Engineer or equivalent, or extensive experience following a mechanical apprenticeship.
  • Familiarity with relevant British Standards for engineering plant, equipment, and best practices.
  • Extensive experience in engineering within FMCG or bulk product handling environments.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Maintain the technical integrity of mechanical plants to ensure compliance with product, process, and system requirements.
  • Develop technical specifications for non-routine mechanical breakdown repairs on-site.
  • Act as the on-site expert for mechanical maintenance, driving improvements in safety, reliability, and production throughput.
  • Oversee and manage statutory and mandatory compliance requirements.
  • Ensure site-wide understanding and application of business standards and policies to maintain legal compliance.
  • Define technical specifications and testing standards for mechanical maintenance tasks to promote standardisation.
  • Support the learning and development of site APU teams through coaching and mentoring, enabling them to achieve their objectives.
  • Lead mechanical reliability-centred maintenance initiatives to optimise equipment uptime and reduce operational costs.
  • Drive defect elimination initiatives to minimise production downtime.
  • Collaborate with cross-business expert groups to standardise approaches and share best practices.
  • Uphold the highest health and safety standards and work effectively within the team to ensure safe and efficient operations.
  • Lead by example, demonstrating company values and behaviours.
  • Provide support and leadership for capital projects.

Working hours:

  • Monday to Friday
  • 1 in 8 weeks you will work a Saturday shift (you will get this time off in lieu)
  • 7:30am - 4pm

Skills & Abilities:

  • Proven ability to manage complex and competing priorities across multiple sites.
  • Strong leadership skills with experience managing cross-business technical teams to enhance mechanical reliability and cost efficiency.
  • Excellent influencing, negotiating, and communication skills to engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Passion for continuous improvement with a drive to expand knowledge and expertise.
  • Ability to clearly communicate complex technical information to non-technical colleagues.
  • Coaching and mentoring skills to support team development.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and CMMS.

Personal Qualities & Behaviours:

  • Proactive in driving effective outcomes.
  • Commitment to upholding company values.
  • Dedicated to maintaining high personal health and safety standards at all times.
  • Strong team player, ensuring tasks are completed safely and efficiently.

Benefits:

  • Salary: £60,000 - £70,000
  • Contributory pension scheme (up to 10%)
  • 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional week
  • Salary sacrifice car scheme
  • Annual payment for a professional membership
  • Employee referral scheme
  • Access to various staff discounts
  • Ongoing commitment to professional development

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