Engineering Maintenance Manager

Zest; England; On-site; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Hampshire is seeking an Engineering Maintenance Manager to lead a team and enhance productivity. Key responsibilities include managing maintenance operations, ensuring safety standards, and mentoring staff. The ideal candidate has experience in engineering management within a manufacturing setting. This role offers a salary of £55,000 + bonus and a Monday to Friday work schedule.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading maintenance or engineering functions in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, quality, and H&S standards.
• Hands-on approach to mentoring and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the engineering team to achieve high performance.
• Manage daily operations of the maintenance department.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules and SOPs.

Skills

Leadership in engineering

Electrical qualifications

Mechanical qualifications

Food safety knowledge

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Mentoring skills

Continuous improvement

Effective communication

Education

Relevant electrical and mechanical qualifications

Up-to-date CPD training in engineering management

Job description

Overview

Position: Engineering Maintenance Manager
Location: Hampshire (Commutable from Andover, Eastleigh, Southampton, Winchester)
Salary: £55,000 + Bonus
Monday - Friday

Zest have partnered with a rapidly growing and successful food manufacturer in the heart of Hampshire. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a strong team of Engineers and develop a department that consistently delivers high performance, reliability, and continuous improvement across the site. You will play a key role in driving engineering standards, mentoring your team, and supporting site-wide initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce downtime.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the engineering team to deliver high performance, including planning holiday cover, succession, and accountability.
• Manage daily operations of the maintenance department, driving delivery against KPIs and production demands.
• Communicate business goals and expectations effectively, ensuring alignment across departments.
• Maintain all engineering activities in compliance with H&S, food safety, hygiene, and HR policies.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules and SOPs in line with statutory and internal safety standards.
• Manage engineering spares stock levels, costs, and availability.
• Respond proactively and reactively to plant downtime and equipment issues, working closely with production teams.
• Oversee contractors, permits to work, and site projects to ensure compliance and timely delivery.
• Own the Engineering Pillar and support Operational Excellence (OPEX) programmes.
• Maintain key documentation, conduct internal audits, and ensure the department is always "audit ready".
• Liaise with external suppliers, utility providers, and regulatory authorities as required.
• Manage engineering budgets, control spend, and report on financial and operational performance.
• Support team development through mentoring, coaching, and structured training.
• Chair employee relations matters (disciplinary, grievance, capability) when required.
• Be part of the site management team, attending meetings (T1, T2, T3, SLT reviews) and supporting cross-functional goals.
• Drive quality and food safety culture by encouraging incident reporting, feedback, and engagement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading maintenance or engineering functions in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Relevant electrical and mechanical qualifications.
• Up-to-date CPD training relevant to engineering management.
• Strong working knowledge of food safety, quality, and H&S standards.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence, support, and challenge at all levels.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with Intermediate Excel proficiency.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing engineering budgets and supplier relationships.
• Hands-on approach to mentoring, developing teams, and managing performance.
• Familiarity with permit systems, audit standards, and maintenance best practices.
• Passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and drive site-wide engagement in engineering initiatives.
• Commitment to sustainability, waste reduction, and reducing carbon footprint.

For more information, contact George on (phone number removed) or (url removed).

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