Engineering Manager

JR United Kingdom; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Plymouth is seeking a Head of Plant Engineering to lead their engineering operations. The role involves strategic leadership across engineering teams, implementation of lean manufacturing processes, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in engineering, a strong background in maintenance systems, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leadership within regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience in implementing world-class maintenance systems.
• Deep understanding of quality management in high-compliance settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor engineering teams to improve performance.
• Implement maintenance practices and drive cost improvements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Skills

Leadership in plant engineering

Lean manufacturing

Asset reliability

Continuous improvement

Coaching and mentoring

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

Job description

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On behalf of our client, a market-leading engineering firm based in Plymouth, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Plant Engineering to lead, shape, and elevate their engineering operations to world-class standards.

This is an exciting leadership role at a cutting-edge manufacturer committed to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement in the medical device sector. If you're a proven engineering leader with a passion for reliability, operational excellence, and lean manufacturing, we want to hear from you.

Role Overview

As Head of Plant Engineering, youll take ownership of the full engineering function on-site covering maintenance engineering, process engineering, and facilities management. You'll be responsible for driving asset performance, reliability, and continuous improvement through a proactive and capability-led approach.

This is a high-impact role, central to our clients long-term operational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all engineering teams.
• Develop and mentor engineering staff through structured coaching, training, and hands-on development initiatives.
• Oversee performance management, talent acquisition, and apprenticeship schemes to build long-term capability.
• Implement and embed best-in-class asset reliability practices including reliability centred maintenance (RCM).
• Introduce and drive autonomous maintenance programmes to empower operators.
• Manage and optimise engineering budgets with a focus on continuous year-on-year cost improvements.
• Collaborate with group engineering on capital projects ensuring delivery, alignment, and ROI.
• Optimise and enhance the use of Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Lead change initiatives with a strong focus on lean principles and a proactive culture.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks including cGMP, FDA QSR 21CFR820, ISO13485, and MDD94/42/EEC.
• Act as the EHSEn (Environmental, Health, Safety) representative for the Plymouth site driving site-wide compliance and safety culture.

What We're Looking For

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• A strong track record of leadership in plant and maintenance engineering ideally within regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success in implementing world-class maintenance systems and lean manufacturing processes.
• Deep understanding of quality management systems in a high-compliance setting.
• Experience leading change and fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement and innovation.

Location

This role is based at our clients flagship facility in Plymouth, a site critical to their global operations.

Why Apply?

• Join a fast-growing medical engineering leader with a strong global footprint.
• Lead a talented, high-performing engineering team with scope to shape and transform the function.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Long-term career development opportunities within a progressive organisation.

Interested?

If you're a dynamic and forward-thinking engineering leader ready for your next challenge, please get in touch today.
Send your CV or contact us directly for a confidential discussion.

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