Director of Manufacturing Engineering

Innova Search - Manufacturing & Engineering Specialist Recruiters; Manchester; On-site; GBP 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% bonus

Car allowance

Attractive pension and benefits package

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm seeks an experienced Engineering Director for a Tier 1 Chemical manufacturing site in Manchester. This pivotal role involves leading a talented team through significant transformation, enhancing performance, and managing multi-million-pound projects. Candidates must have a proven track record in engineering leadership within regulated environments and hold a relevant degree. Attractive compensation of up to £150,000 plus bonuses is offered.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as an Engineering Director in a regulated environment.
• Experience leading major transformation and turnaround projects.
• Ability to engage and influence skilled teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering and maintenance team.
• Establish sustainable maintenance practices.
• Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Communication

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Chemical engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

This range is provided by Innova Search - Manufacturing & Engineering Specialist Recruiters. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Salary: Up to £150,000 basic salary + 20% bonus + car allowence + attractive pension and benefits package

This is a senior leadership role at a Tier 1 Chemical COMAH manufacturing site in Manchester that is in the middle of a major transformation. After a period of transition, the site has received significant investment and is backed by a global group determined to secure a bright future.

There is a real appetite for change, and you will be joining a leadership team determined to create a step change in performance. The people are talented, ready to be led, and they need a leader who can give them direction, rebuild confidence, and get things moving again.

This role demands more than potential; it requires a proven Engineering Director who has already delivered at scale. You will be confident operating in complex, highly regulated settings and bring expertise in managing multi-million-pound capital projects from start to finish.

Above all, you are a leader who knows how to unlock performance in others. You will gain the respect of seasoned engineers who may be sceptical, showing that you can listen as well as lead. You will create clarity, tackle issues head-on, and stand firm when change is difficult. Even when faced with competing priorities and setbacks, you will keep moving forward and inspire your team to do the same.

What you will be responsible for:

• Lead, develop, and inspire the site’s engineering and maintenance team.
• Clear a substantial maintenance backlog within the first six months, while embedding a culture that shifts from reactive firefighting to proactive, planned maintenance.
• Establish sustainable maintenance and reliability practices to ensure long-term asset performance.
• Deliver an annual £10–20m capital programme, spanning both recapitalisation and large-scale transformation projects.
• Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the engineering function.

What you bring:

• A proven track record as an Engineering Director (or equivalent senior leadership role) in a complex, highly regulated environment, such as chemical, pharma or large-scale FMCG
• Experience leading major transformation and turnaround projects
• A chemical engineering degree (or equivalent professional experience)
• The credibility to engage and influence experienced, skilled teams
• The confidence to make tough calls and the resilience to lead through change

This is your chance to take on a role that is central to the site’s future, with achievements that will be recognised globally. For the right person, it also opens a clear pathway to regional or international leadership opportunities.

If you recognise yourself in the description above and want a challenge that will stretch you while giving you the platform to make a real impact, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology
• Chemical Manufacturing