Head Of Engineering

The Sterling Choice; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent food manufacturer in Manchester is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead the engineering team and drive automation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering leadership within the food or FMCG sector, with exceptional skills in coaching and strategic planning. This role offers a chance to enhance performance and implement systems for reliability and asset care.

Qualifications

• Proven engineering leadership in food or FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong leadership skills for coaching and motivating teams.
• Experience in asset care and reliability systems.
• Strategic mindset for balancing delivery and planning.
• Electrical engineering background preferred.
• Experience in improving OEE and performance metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering team.
• Embed systems for asset care and reliability.
• Work with production to improve uptime.
• Support long-term automation projects.
• Ensure engineering aligns with business strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Strategic Planning

Performance Improvement

Asset Care Systems

Electrical Engineering

Job description

Head of Engineering

Food Manufacturing

North‑West

Overview of the Head of Engineering Role

If you’re the kind of engineering leader who thrives on turning good teams into great ones, this could be the Head of Engineering opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

We’re working with a large‑scale food manufacturer supplying every major retailer in the UK. With multiple sites, a strong growth trajectory, and ambitious automation plans, they’re looking for a Head of Engineering to take ownership of the function, build on strong foundations, and drive the business forward.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing the engineering team to deliver results.
• Embedding systems and processes around asset care, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Working closely with production and operations to improve performance and uptime across multiple sites.
• Supporting long‑term automation and investment projects alongside the wider leadership team.
• Ensuring engineering supports the wider business strategy, both short‑term and long‑term.

Requirements

• A proven track record in engineering leadership within food or FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong people leadership skills – able to coach, challenge, and motivate teams through change.
• Experience implementing and improving asset care and reliability systems (CMMS knowledge a plus).
• A strategic mindset – able to balance short‑term delivery with long‑term planning.
• Electrical engineering background strongly preferred.
• Experience improving OEE and driving measurable performance improvements.

How to Apply

If you’re interested in this opportunity and your CV is ready then hit the apply button and expect to hear from me soon.

Alternatively, if your CV isn’t ready or you just want a quick chat about the role then give me (Gianni) a call on our company number.

By applying to this advertised job, you give consent for The Sterling Choice Ltd to hold your information. Our privacy policy can be found on our website. At your request, this can also be sent to you.