Engineering Lead

Zest; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest is seeking an Engineering Lead to head up a team of engineers at its site near Cambridge. The role focuses on driving reliability, efficiency and a proactive maintenance culture across the site, working closely with production to improve plant performance.

You will lead day-to-day maintenance, oversee preventative work and manage contractor relationships, with a hands-on electrical and/or mechanical background and strong communication skills. A Level 3 Eng qualification is required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an engineering team.
• Hands-on electrical and/or mechanical knowledge.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A Level 3 Engineering qualification (Mechanical or Electrical).

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day maintenance activity and head up a team of engineers.
• Oversee preventative maintenance and provide breakdown support (electrical and/or mechanical).
• Drive continuous improvement in safety, efficiency and performance.
• Lead engineering projects from concept through implementation.

Skills

Team leadership

Electrical hands-on

Mechanical hands-on

Stakeholder management

Maintenance planning

Education

A Level 3 Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical)

Job description

Engineering Lead

Commutable from Littleport, Ely, Downham Market, March, Chatteris, Soham and Wisbech

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000, plus an attractive benefits package

Hours: 4 days per week, Monday to Friday, with a rotating rest day. Core hours 6:30am to 5:30pm, plus 1-in-4 weekends (Sat/Sun, 7:00am to 3:30pm)

We're recruiting on behalf of a well-established food manufacturing business for a hands‑on Engineering Lead to head up a team of engineers and drive reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the site.

You’ll lead day‑to‑day maintenance activity, work closely with production to improve plant performance, and build a proactive maintenance culture across the team.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading and developing a team of engineers
• Overseeing preventative maintenance and providing breakdown support (electrical and/or mechanical)
• Driving continuous improvement in safety, efficiency, and performance
• Leading engineering projects, from concept through to implementation
• Coordinating priorities with production and managing contractor relationships
• Coaching and mentoring the wider team, and upholding safe systems of work

What we're looking for:

• Experience leading or mentoring an engineering team
• Strong electrical and/or mechanical knowledge, with a hands‑on approach
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills
• A Level 3 Engineering qualification (Mechanical or Electrical)

As you know over here at Zest we like to do things properly and always want to keep you, the candidate in the loop. Applying to this 'one of a kind' role you give Zest permission to hold your information. If you want to know more about how Zest look after your personal information please visit our privacy policy on the website (url removed)