Engineering Manager

Castle Employment Group, A Sunday Times Best Company to Work for; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity for career development

Supportive work environment

Real autonomy

Job summary

Castle Employment Group seeks an experienced Engineering Manager for a high-volume manufacturing facility in York. The role focuses on driving plant reliability, operational performance, and maintaining safety standards. Responsibilities include leading engineering activities, managing budgets, enhancing equipment effectiveness, and embedding a preventive maintenance culture. Candidates should have hands-on engineering experience, strong leadership skills, and a commercial awareness. This is a senior leadership role with significant autonomy and the chance to impact site performance.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience in both mechanical and electrical disciplines.
• Proven experience in leading and developing engineering teams.
• Strong background in PPM systems and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Success in improving OEE, reliability, and overall plant performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all mechanical and electrical engineering activities.
• Own and improve the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) system.
• Champion Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Problem-solving

Budget Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

Time-served engineer

Tools

PPM systems

Job description

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Engineering Manager to take ownership of the engineering function within a well-established, high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving plant reliability, improving operational performance, and embedding a proactive maintenance culture across the site.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping engineering strategy, enhancing equipment effectiveness, and ensuring the delivery of a robust preventative maintenance programme, all while maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and manage all mechanical and electrical engineering activities across the site
• Develop and implement a clear engineering strategy aligned to operational and business goals
• Build a high-performing, engaged, and accountable multi-skilled engineering team

Maintenance & Reliability

• Own and continuously improve the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) system to maximise plant uptime
• Drive a proactive reliability-centred maintenance approach, reducing reactive breakdowns
• Ensure effective root cause analysis (RCA) is conducted, with sustainable corrective actions implemented

Operational Performance

• Champion Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement initiatives across production areas
• Work closely with production teams to minimise downtime and optimise equipment performance
• Coordinate and prioritise engineering response to breakdowns, ensuring minimal disruption
• Lead and support continuous improvement projects, focusing on efficiency, waste reduction, and cost savings
• Identify opportunities for automation, process optimisation, and asset upgrades
• Promote a culture of innovation and problem-solving within the engineering team

Compliance, Safety & Standards

• Ensure all engineering activities comply with health & safety legislation and company standards
• Maintain safe systems of work, permits, and risk assessments
• Manage statutory inspections and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements

Resource & Budget Management

• Manage engineering budgets, including labour, spares, and external contractors
• Optimise spare parts inventory to balance availability and cost efficiency
• Oversee contractor performance, ensuring quality and value for money

About You

• Time-served engineer with strong hands-on experience in both mechanical and electrical disciplines
• Proven experience in leading and developing engineering teams within a manufacturing environment
• Strong background in PPM systems, fault finding, and root cause analysis methodologies
• Demonstrable success in improving OEE, reliability, and overall plant performance
• Effective planner with the ability to prioritise in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially aware with experience managing budgets and driving cost efficiencies
• A proactive mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence

What’s on Offer

• A senior leadership role with real autonomy and the opportunity to shape the engineering function
• The chance to make a tangible impact on site performance and long-term strategy
• A supportive environment that values innovation, improvement, and professional growth
• Long-term career development within a stable and expanding manufacturing business