Engineering Team Leader – Lead a Shift, Improve Reliability

Whitworths Ltd; Irthlingborough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Whitworths Ltd is seeking an Engineering Team Leader at our Irthlingborough site. You will lead a hands-on shift team, coordinate maintenance activities, and keep production running safely and efficiently. You’ll apply strong technical skills and people leadership to improve reliability and minimize downtime.

You’ll work a 42-hour week across 07:00–19:00 or 19:00–07:00, on a visible factory floor role where practical support and coaching are essential to team performance.

Qualifications

• Experience as a fully qualified Maintenance Technician.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, controls and instrumentation.
• Solid electrical fault-finding and general engineering maintenance skills.
• Ability to diagnose complex problems and deliver practical solutions.
• Proactive approach to planned and preventive maintenance.
• Ability to organise workloads and set priorities, holding others accountable.
• Clear communication and confidence to work with colleagues at all levels.
• Leadership one-to-one coaching and development of team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead, organise and support the shift engineering team.
• Respond decisively to breakdowns and minimise downtime.
• Deliver the planned preventive maintenance programme.
• Identify recurring faults and implement lasting improvements.
• Coordinate with Operations to plan repairs around production needs.
• Maintain high health and safety standards and safe systems of work.
• Coordinate contractors and issue permits to work when required.
• Ensure accurate engineering records and maintenance activity are documented.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Maintenance planning

Electrical fault finding

Communication

Education

Engineering apprenticeship or equivalent qualification

Tools

PLC knowledge

Process controls

Packaging equipment

Job description

Whitworths Ltd is seeking an Engineering Team Leader at our Irthlingborough site. You will lead a hands-on shift team, coordinate maintenance activities, and keep production running safely and efficiently. You’ll apply strong technical skills and people leadership to improve reliability and minimize downtime.

You’ll work a 42-hour week across 07:00–19:00 or 19:00–07:00, on a visible factory floor role where practical support and coaching are essential to team performance.