Engineering Manager

Straight Forward Recruitment Limited; Brandon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Straight Forward Recruitment Limited in Brandon, Suffolk, is recruiting an Engineering Manager for a permanent, hands-on leadership role in a manufacturing site. You will oversee engineering, maintenance, reliability and facilities, leading the team and external contractors to improve uptime, drive PM programs and reduce downtime.

The role requires experience in a manufacturing environment with strong fault-finding and knowledge of motors, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, pneumatics or hydraulics.

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing/industrial environment.
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical engineering knowledge.
• Experience managing planned and reactive maintenance.
• Proven leadership of an engineering team.
• Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Engineering & Maintenance team and external contractors.
• Manage and improve the PM/maintenance programme.
• Lead breakdown response, fault-finding and root-cause analysis.
• Maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
• Drive improvements in reliability and production uptime.
• Manage engineering projects, installations and commissioning.
• Manage contractors, suppliers, critical spares and maintenance budgets.
• Take responsibility for site facilities, infrastructure and compliance.
• Monitor KPIs such as downtime, reliability and costs.
• Collaborate with Production, Operations and Quality to improve site performance.

Skills

Engineering management

Maintenance management

Leadership

Fault finding

Motors and pumps

Pneumatics or hydraulics

Education

Engineering qualification or apprenticeship

Tools

PLC/Control systems

CMMS

CapEx project experience

Job description

Engineering Manager – Permanent

Brandon, Suffolk | Monday–Friday, 6:00am–2:00pm | Permanent | Competitive Salary + Benefits

Engineering Manager – Exciting Manufacturing Opportunity

We are currently recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Engineering Manager to join their manufacturing operation in Brandon.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineering professional looking to take genuine ownership of engineering, maintenance, reliability and site facilities within an established manufacturing environment.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll have the opportunity to lead a team, improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime and drive continuous improvement across the site.

The Role

As Engineering Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing the Engineering & Maintenance team and external contractors.

• Managing and improving the PPM and planned maintenance programme.

• Leading breakdown response, fault finding and root‑cause analysis.

• Maintaining mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.

• Driving improvements in equipment reliability and production uptime.

• Managing engineering projects, installations and commissioning.

• Managing contractors, suppliers, critical spares and maintenance budgets.

• Taking responsibility for site facilities, infrastructure and statutory compliance.

• Monitoring engineering KPIs including downtime, reliability, PPM and maintenance costs.

• Working closely with Production, Operations and Quality to improve overall site performance.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager, Engineering Supervisor or Senior Engineer with a strong practical and leadership background.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.

• Strong mechanical and/or electrical engineering knowledge.

• Experience managing both planned and reactive maintenance.

• Previous experience leading and developing an engineering team.

• Excellent fault‑finding and problem‑solving skills.

• Experience with machinery such as motors, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, pneumatics or hydraulics.

• An engineering qualification, apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.

• A good understanding of engineering health & safety and statutory compliance.

• A proactive, hands‑on and commercially aware approach.

Experience with PLC/control systems, automation, packaging machinery, FMCG, fabrication/welding, CMMS or CapEx projects would be advantageous.

The Person

We’re looking for someone who takes ownership, leads from the front and wants to make a genuine difference.

You’ll be someone who doesn’t simply fix a breakdown but looks at why it happened and how to prevent it happening again.

You’ll be comfortable working alongside Production, developing your team and taking responsibility for engineering performance across the site.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing manufacturing operation in a role where you’ll have real responsibility and the opportunity to make your mark.

You’ll have the chance to influence:

People. Machinery. Reliability. Facilities. Investment. Performance.

Job ID – SFR-ENG