1161 - Asset Lead - Engineering

Harwich International Port Limited; Felixstowe; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 8%

Life Assurance 14x

Profit sharing bonus

EAP

Occupational Health

Volunteering days

Perkbox discounts

Development pathways

Job summary

Hutchison Ports – Port of Felixstowe is seeking an Asset Lead to own a portfolio of operational assets within the Engineering function. You will oversee maintenance planning, asset performance and reliability improvements to support port operations.

Role requires leadership experience in maintenance engineering, strong planning skills, and knowledge of asset management principles. Sponsorship for skilled workers may be considered where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or degree in engineering).
• Four years in a maintenance engineering environment with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance planning, asset management and engineering best practice.
• Proven ability to analyse technical data, diagnose faults and make informed engineering decisions.
• Professional membership/CPD commitment (e.g. IET), EngTech or higher desirable.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience of container handling equipment or comparable heavy industrial plant is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise maintenance schedules to maximise asset availability.
• Manage full maintenance work order lifecycle from planning to completion.
• Coordinate engineering teams, contractors and resources safely and efficiently.
• Lead asset performance and reliability improvement initiatives using data and engineering expertise.
• Support planning and delivery of projects, upgrades, shutdowns and long-term asset strategies.
• Manage supplier and OEM relationships including warranty issues and support services.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, engineering standards and ISO 55000.

Skills

HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Eng

Engineering leadership

Maintenance planning

Asset management

EngTech desirable

IOSH Managing Safely

Stakeholder management

Container handling equipment

Education

HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Degree in engineering

Job description

Asset Lead – Monday to Friday 37.5 hours a week

The Role

Hutchison Ports – Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest deep-water container port and a critical gateway for global trade.

We are seeking an Asset Lead to join our Engineering function and take ownership of a portfolio of operational assets. This role is central to ensuring our equipment remains safe, reliable and available to support operational demands, whilst delivering maintenance activities in line with ISO 55000 asset management principles.

Working closely with Engineering Managers, Operations, Procurement and specialist contractors, you will oversee short, medium and long-term maintenance planning, manage asset performance, drive reliability improvements and support the delivery of engineering projects. You'll combine technical expertise with planning, coordination and stakeholder management to maximise asset availability and support the long-term success of the port.

Our Benefits – Rewarding the people who keep our port moving

We offer a strong, reliable benefits package designed to support your financial security, wellbeing and long term development:

• Competitive pension: 8% employer contribution (min 4% employee)
• Life Assurance: 14× annual salary for pension scheme members (4× for non-members)
• Annual profit share bonus and performance related bonus
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential counselling, stress & anxiety support, financial wellbeing guidance, plus access to our Wellbeing Hub
• On site Occupational Health Team and wellbeing support

Time, Flexibility & Community

• Paid leave, enhanced sick pay terms, and family friendly policies
• Volunteering days supporting our local community
• Perkbox retail discounts, wellbeing content and savings across hundreds of brands

Growth & Development

• Access to development pathways, accredited training, and career progression opportunities across our port network

Role Overview

As an Asset Lead, you will be responsible for managing engineering assets throughout their lifecycle, ensuring maintenance activities are effectively planned, coordinated and delivered. Working across operational and engineering teams, you will support reliability, performance and continuous improvement while maintaining compliance with engineering, safety and asset management standards.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and optimising maintenance schedules to maximise asset availability and support operational requirements.
• Managing the full maintenance work order lifecycle, ensuring activities are planned, executed and completed effectively.
• Coordinating engineering teams, contractors and resources to deliver maintenance and improvement activities safely and efficiently.
• Leading asset performance and reliability improvement initiatives using maintenance data, analysis and engineering expertise.
• Supporting the planning and delivery of engineering projects, equipment upgrades, shutdowns and long-term asset strategies.
• Managing supplier and OEM relationships, including technical modifications, warranty issues and support services.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, engineering standards, ISO 55000 principles and health & safety requirements.

What you need

• Minimum HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or a degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• At least four years' experience in a maintenance engineering environment, including experience in a leadership capacity.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance planning, asset management and engineering best practice.
• Proven ability to analyse technical data, diagnose complex faults and make informed engineering decisions.
• Professional membership/CPD commitment (e.g. IET), with EngTech or higher desirable.
• IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience of container handling equipment or comparable heavy industrial plant is desirable.

Hours:

37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary level will be dependent on skills, qualifications and experience.

Inclusion & Community

We are committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming workplace where everyone can thrive. We celebrate individual differences and believe that embracing diversity drives innovation, creativity, and stronger collaboration across our teams.

As part of this commitment, we consider all qualified applicants and encourage open conversations about flexible working. We offer a supportive, community‑focused environment and are proud to hold Chartered Status from Women in Maritime.

Our dedicated Diversity & Inclusion committee supports a range of employee networks, including our Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability, and Culture groups.

Hutchison Ports UK is able to sponsor skilled worker visas in cases where the role fits the requirements set out by the UK government. Please refer to the government website via this link to understand the requirements needed. In cases where a post-study visa is used initially, it may be the case that the skilled worker visa requirements will not be met once this visa has expired.

Hutchison Ports is committed to creating and developing an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants and encourage discussion about flexible working opportunities. We offer a supportive, community environment and have been awarded Chartered status by Women In Maritime. Our D&I committee oversees multiple employee networks including - Women’s Network, PRIDE, Early Careers, Veterans & Reserves, Disability and Culture.