Group Engineering Director

Pilgrim's Europe; Uxbridge Moor; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food production company is seeking a Senior Leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction and execution of engineering and maintenance. This role involves overseeing large capital projects, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and leading a high-performing engineering function across multiple sites. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in the industry with a proven track record in change management and strong problem-solving skills. The position offers a dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in the industry, leading large projects and multi-site teams.
• Strong leadership in a large, fast paced business.
• Proven success managing large capital projects and complex Engineering programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management within an Engineering function.

Responsibilities

• Drive the strategic direction and planning of engineering and maintenance.
• Build and lead a high performing engineering function.
• Lead strategic direction for capital investments and projects.
• Implement world-class reliability programs to maximise asset uptime.
• Ensure engineering activities meet industry standards and compliance.

Skills

Leadership in Engineering

Lean manufacturing

Change management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Job description

This is a Senior Leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction, planning and execution of all engineering, maintenance, capital projects and process engineering and development across Pilgrim's Europe. This role ensures the reliability, efficiency and compliance of production assets while championing continuous improvement and ensuring our operations meet strict food safety, quality and regulatory standards.

• Develop and execute the long-term engineering strategy aligned with our values, business growth strategy, sustainability and operational objectives.
• Provide strong leadership to the Engineering function across multiple sites ensuring shared best practices are implemented.
• Oversee the development of Engineering standards, asset care programme and capital planning process.
• Strategic leadership of large projects to ensure delivery on time and within budget.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, mentor and lead a high performing, highly engaged engineering and maintenance function.
• Promote cross functional collaboration between Engineering, Operations, Technical, Supply Chain and H&S teams.
• Ensure a consistent, fit for purpose Engineering structure is in place across all Pilgrim's Europe sites.
• Deliver Talent management across the Engineering function by building succession plans, delivering technical training programmes (including upskilling) and career development pathways.
• Deliver the Engineering Apprenticeship strategy to ensure a pipeline of future talent.

Capital Projects

• Lead/provide strategic direction for capital investments, including feasibility studies, financial justification, design, procurement, installation, commissioning and validation.
• Ensure that projects are delivered effectively through budget management, achieving timelines, management of contractors and compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Maximising plant availability; achieving and improving functional targets & performance; overseeing capital expenditure; making operational improvements; and providing related project support.
• Lead/provide strategic leadership for plant expansion initiatives, automation upgrades and capacity building projects.
• Strengthen relationships with Engineering contracting companies & OEM suppliers to ensure cost effectiveness and the best possible support for maintenance activities and equipment failure.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Implement world-class reliability programs (eg TPM, RCM, preventative maintenance to maximise asset uptime, reduce operational losses and improve performance).
• Ensure delivery of KPI/goal metrics for equipment reliability, resource utilisation, maintenance effectiveness and energy usage.
• Utilisation of advanced maintenance technologies to a predictive mindset.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all engineering activities meet industry standards and customer requirements eg BRC, GMP, CDM.
• Work collaboratively with Technical and Operations to maintain hygiene requirements, environmental and health and safety standards.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place and support audit readiness.

Operational Excellence & Innovation

• Champion lean manufacturing, automation and process improvement to drive throughput, reduce waste and improve cost efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for modernisation, including robotics, advanced controls and sustainability technologies.
• Promote a culture of innovation, problem solving and continuous improvement mindset across sites.

Process Development

• Drive the strategy and ensure delivery of Process Development projects to meet operational and business needs.
• Proactively looking for new technologies i.e. packing/processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in the industry, leading large projects and multi-site teams.
• Strong leadership in a large, fast paced business.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, CI methodologies, and reliability engineering.
• Proven success managing large capital projects, expansions and complex Engineering programmes.
• Demonstrate proven record of leading change management within an Engineering function focused on driving high performing teams.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Being able to work independently with a strong sense of responsibility and commitment.
• Must have a challenge mindset and positive outlook on driving change with key stakeholders across multiple functions.