Head Of Capex / Process Engineering - Food Construction

Cibus People Ltd; Ribble Valley; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cibus People Ltd is seeking a Head of Process Engineering for a food construction venture. This remote role requires UK-wide client travel and leadership of the process engineering function from inception through commissioning and handover.

You will drive design, integration and optimisation of process systems in food manufacturing contexts, acting as the technical authority and ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and operational success while supporting growth and profitability.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status desirable or progress toward it.
• Minimum 10 years of process engineering or Capex experience, preferably in food/beverage/pharma sectors.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and major capital projects from concept to commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the process engineering function from inception for a new entity in food construction.
• Oversee design, integration, commissioning and optimisation of process systems in food manufacturing environments.
• Act as technical authority on process engineering, ensuring compliance with client requirements, food safety, and regulatory standards.
• Support business growth, innovation and profitability through technical leadership and resource management.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Quality & safety

Microsoft Office

Project management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Process/Mechanical/Food Engineering

Tools

MS Office

Project management software

Job description

Head of Process Engineering - Food Construction

Remote based - UK wide travel to clients

This role is ideal for candidates with proven experience as a Head of Process Engineering or Head of Capex in food manufacturing, beverage, or pharmaceutical sectors, seeking to establish a new entity for a food construction company.

Reporting to the Business Director, you will lead and develop the company's process engineering function from inception. You will ensure the successful design, integration, commissioning, and optimisation of process systems within food manufacturing and industrial environments. This role provides technical leadership throughout all project stages, from concept and feasibility to detailed design, installation, commissioning, and operational handover.

This position serves as the company's technical authority for process engineering, ensuring all solutions meet client requirements, food safety standards, regulatory obligations, and operational performance expectations. You will also support business growth, innovation, and profitability.

To apply, you must have a degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent qualifications.

Chartered Engineer status, or progress toward it, is desirable.

A minimum of 10 years' experience in a process engineering or Capex role, ideally within food manufacturing, beverage, pharmaceutical, or dairy companies, is required. You should have significant experience designing and delivering complex process systems and production facilities, and leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (including Process Engineers, Process Design Engineers, Commissioning Engineers, Process CAD/Design Technicians, Specialist Process Contractors, and Consultants). Experience supporting major capital projects from concept to commissioning is essential, as is demonstrable experience managing technical resources, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.

Skills and Competencies required to apply

• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent operational and project management skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced environment.
• High attention to quality, safety, and operational detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and project management systems.

Professional Certificates desired

• SMSTS (or equivalent management-level H&S qualification).
• CSCS Management Card.
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH Certificate.
• HACCP Awareness.
• First Aid at Work.
• Food Manufacturing and Hygiene Training (desirable)