Chief Engineer

JR United Kingdom; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist food business is seeking an Engineering Manager to drive the operational and strategic engineering agenda. You will oversee engineering activities at their state-of-the-art production site and lead team management efforts while collaborating with C-Suite executives. The ideal candidate has advanced qualifications in Industrial Engineering and Project Management, with a passion for automation. Significant professional growth opportunities are available.

Benefits

Opportunities for significant professional growth

Work with a high-profile innovation category

Collaboration with an experienced leadership team

Qualifications

• Expertise in BRCGS and retailer audits is essential.
• Passionate about plant automation and robotics.
• Experience influencing at the C-Suite level.

Responsibilities

• Own and enhance the operational and strategic engineering agenda.
• Oversee all engineering activities at the production site.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with high visibility.

Skills

Engineering leadership skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Innovation in plant automation

Education

Advanced qualifications in Industrial Engineering

Advanced qualifications in Project Management

Job description

Reporting directly to the C-Suite, this is a unique opportunity to own, develop, and enhance the operational and strategic engineering agenda for a rapidly growing specialist food business.

The company has an expanding international presence with a strong focus on innovation and range growth, making safety, reliability, and automation key priorities. This newly created role will oversee all engineering activities at the company's state-of-the-art production site in Northern Ireland.

You will work cross-functionally with high visibility, often collaborating directly with the CEO, as well as externally with suppliers. Your role will involve challenging existing processes and bringing an 'outside-in' perspective to continuous improvement initiatives.

From day one, your extensive engineering leadership skills will be essential — managing projects, controlling budgets, ensuring legal compliance, and preparing for audits. You will be the key contact for reliability and production efficiency.

With responsibilities for team management and development, influencing and coaching people, along with effective upward communication, will be central to your approach.

In an open-door, proactive 'scale-up' culture, your ability to operate as a top-level strategist and innovator, as well as an operational doer and mentor, is crucial. We seek someone who relishes shaping their role and growing the function. If this sounds like you, please get in touch for a confidential chat.

[NDA applies]

Opportunities for significant professional growth

Join a high-profile innovation category

Work with a dream leadership team

Requirements:

• BRCGS and retailer audits expertise
• Passionate about plant automation and robotics
• Experience in strategic planning and influence at the C-Suite level
• Advanced qualifications in Industrial Engineering and Project Management