Head of Engineering

AG Barr; Cumbernauld; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Uncapped bonus

Defined contribution Pension

Up to 34 days holiday

Flexible holiday trading

Flexible cash pot for benefits

Healthcare Cash Plan

Flexible benefits

Life assurance

Save as you earn

Staff sales discount

Free AG Barr products

Annual salary review

Ongoing professional development

Job summary

AG Barr in Cumbernauld is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead site engineering strategy and drive high-speed manufacturing performance. You will spearhead continuous improvement across production operations and manage an engineering budget in collaboration with the Site Director.

The role requires extensive FMCG engineering leadership, deep knowledge of packaging equipment, and a proven ability to deliver capex projects while ensuring safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Extensive engineering management experience in FMCG/food production.
• Deep technical knowledge of high-speed packaging equipment and QSE standards.
• Proven track record in developing and executing PPM systems, asset reliability strategies, and multi‑million-pound capital projects.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and influencing capabilities with a track record of driving cultural change.

Responsibilities

• Strategic & Financial Leadership: Assist the Site Director in preparing and executing the annual engineering budget, optimising resources to deliver manufacturing best practices and business goals.
• Maintenance & Asset Reliability: Drive plant uptime and asset performance through effective PPM scheduling, overhaul planning, and proactive engineering stores management.
• Capital Project Delivery: Formulate capex proposals and feasibility studies, taking ownership of procurement, installation, and commissioning within agreed project criteria.
• Collaborative CI Integration: Partner with Production Managers to embed continuous improvement, maximise line efficiencies, enhance reliability, and support stock reduction strategies.
• Safety, Quality & Compliance: Champion QSE as a non-negotiable priority, ensuring site operations, site services, and external contractors strictly adhere to all regulatory and safety standards.
• Site Services & Utility Management: Oversee site services, utilities, property maintenance, and contractor/OEM relationships, including regular performance reviews and specialised training.
• Team Leadership & Culture: Lead, coach, and develop the site engineering support team - while matrix-managing embedded engineering teams—to build an inclusive, high‑performing culture.

Skills

Engineering management

High-speed packaging

QSE standards

PPM systems

Capital projects

Lean TPM

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree

NEBOSH qualification

Tools

AutoCad

CMMS (Mainsaver)

Job description

Job Title: Head of Engineering

Location: Cumbernauld

Contract and working pattern: On site, permanent

Are you ready to Be Your Best Barr None?

Lets Grow!!!

We are all about Being Your Best Barr None and having a career with real Moments that Matter!

Employing around 950 people across the UK, we are proud to be a responsible business that takes care of our people, values diversity, gives something back to our communities and works to minimise our environmental impact.

For 150 years AG Barr has been building great brands and is home to some of the nations favourite flavours.

At our core is IRN-BRU, launched in 1901 and still going strong today, the vibrant RUBICON fruit based brand, Boost making every moment better with a caffeine kick, hydration hit or tasty treat, and FUNKIN where real fruit means authentic taste.

We also have a number of exciting owned brands within our portfolio including MOMA, which crafts quality oats into great tasting oat drinks and porridges.

There's never been a better time to join us!

What we’re looking for…

As Head of Engineering, you will lead site engineering strategy, drive best-in-class high-speed manufacturing performance, and pioneer continuous improvement across our production operations!

Your responsibilities will include...

• Strategic & Financial Leadership: Assist the Site Director in preparing and executing the annual engineering budget, optimising resources to deliver manufacturing best practices and business goals.
• Maintenance & Asset Reliability: Drive plant uptime and asset performance through effective PPM scheduling, overhaul planning, and proactive engineering stores management.
• Capital Project Delivery: Formulate capex proposals and feasibility studies, taking ownership of procurement, installation, and commissioning within agreed project criteria.
• Collaborative CI Integration: Partner with Production Managers to embed continuous improvement, maximise line efficiencies, enhance reliability, and support stock reduction strategies.
• Safety, Quality & Compliance: Champion QSE as a non-negotiable priority, ensuring site operations, site services, and external contractors strictly adhere to all regulatory and safety standards.
• Site Services & Utility Management: Oversee site services, utilities, property maintenance, and contractor/OEM relationships, including regular performance reviews and specialised training.
• Team Leadership & Culture: Lead, coach, and develop the site engineering support team - while matrix-managing embedded engineering teams—to build an inclusive, high‑performing culture.

What you’ll bring...

The successful candidate will have;

• Extensive engineering management experience leading people within a complex, high-speed FMCG or Food & Beverage production facility.
• Deep technical knowledge of high-speed packaging equipment, production techniques, and QSE standards in a manufacturing setting.
• Proven track record in developing and executing PPM systems, asset reliability strategies, and managing multi‑million-pound capital projects.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and influencing capabilities with a track record of driving cultural change and high‑performing teams.
• NEBOSH qualification alongside a solid understanding of legislative compliance and contractor management.

And it would also be great if you can demonstrate:

• An engineering degree with working knowledge of ISO standards (9001, 14001), AutoCad, and CMMS software (e.g., Mainsaver).
• Expertise in continuous improvement toolkits (Lean/TPM) to uncover root causes and drive sustained year-on-year gains.
• A results‑driven, tenacious mindset with exceptional communication skills to construct compelling business cases and influence across all business levels.

What we offer…

We believe in creating a diverse and inclusive culture where your voice can be heard. Our skilled, loyal and committed people are critical to the future success of AG Barr which is why we are continually investing in our employees to develop their talent.

We look after our employees by offering a competitive salary and benefits package which includes;

• Uncapped bonus linked to business performance
• Defined contribution Pension
• Up to 34 days holiday (depending on shift pattern)
• Flexible holiday trading
• Flexible cash pot to spend on benefits
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Flexible benefits e.g. discounts & cashbacks, gym memberships, technology purchases etc
• Life assurance
• Save as you earn scheme
• Staff sales discount
• Free AG Barr products throughout your working day and staff sales
• Annual salary review
• Ongoing professional development and access to Learning and Development programmes and content

And much more!

To find out more about what it is like to work for AG Barr, please visit our careers platform here.

We are an equal opportunities employer and happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may be needed for successful candidates with a disability, health or mental health condition.