Head of Engineering - Food Manufacturing

Gafoor; Preston; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Gafoor, a dynamic food manufacturing company, is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead a team of 16 engineers in Preston. This pivotal role involves driving engineering excellence and ensuring operational efficiency in a BRC accredited environment. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in engineering, exceptional leadership skills, and a track record of successful maintenance and improvement strategies. If you're looking to be part of a growing family-owned business at an exciting stage, apply now.

Qualifications

• Must hold a degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• Skilled in quality systems and management reporting.
• Experience in managing diverse engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive cultural change and engineering excellence.
• Align engineering roadmap with business goals.
• Implement and oversee preventative maintenance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal Skills

Preventative Maintenance

Continuous Improvement

Quality Systems

Education

Degree in Engineering or equivalent qualification

Job description

Job Title: Head of Engineering - Food Manufacturing

Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Job type: Full time, Permanent

Gafoor is a dynamic and rapidly growing family-owned business in Preston looking for an experienced engineering manager with a strong background in food manufacturing.

Gafoor is a key player in their sector operating in a modern, BRC accredited facility supplying some of the biggest and most progressive names in the grocery, retail, and wholesale sector on a national basis.

About the Role:

This pivotal leadership role will drive the transformation of the engineering culture and will play a central part in shaping broader engineering strategy. Accountable for a team of circa 16 engineers covering a 24/7 shift pattern with KPI, OEE and budgetary responsibility.

The operation involves live animal intake through to distribution of finished and packed product from the company's single manufacturing site in Preston, employing 500 team members. The successful candidate will require a flexible approach to their working hours in order to provide leadership and direction for our team of engineers, 3rd party contractors and visitors.

The overall focus of the role will be to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the operation to maximise efficiencies by minimising down time and waste. Implementing and overseeing a best-in-class preventative maintenance culture. Working with the cross functional management team, the position will also contribute to the development and implementation of organisational strategies, policies and practices.

If you are seeking the chance to join a well-established company at an exciting stage in their growth, send your CV in for immediate consideration.

Please note that sponsorship is not on offer for this role and therefore candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK to be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive cultural change and engineering excellence across the engineering team.
• Set clear performance goals, foster an inclusive team culture, and drive the team to maintain high standards of technical quality and operational efficiency.
• Align the engineering roadmap with business goals and help the business move towards its ambition growth targets.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership while ensuring the team is equipped to meet their goals.
• Schedule and support a 12-month calendar of plant overhauls, infrastructure projects and service contracts.
• Measure the effectiveness of engineering activities and report against KPI's
• Establish a culture of planned and predictive maintenance
• Ensure standards of quality, food safety, hygiene and housekeeping are consistently maintained.
• Support and implement change processes in line with business developments and opportunities.
• Be an active member of the company's leadership team and play a key role in shaping the day to day management and culture of the wider team.

About you:

The candidate must have skills and experiences in the following areas:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in an Engineering discipline.
• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with experience managing and developing diverse engineering teams.
• A track record in implementing a preventative maintenance and Continuous Improvement culture.
• Skilled in quality systems, management reporting, and leading technical teams to deliver results
• Experience of operating within a BRC or similar accredited environment.

If you are seeking the chance to join a well-established company at an exciting stage in their growth, please click the APPLY button to send your CV in for immediate consideration.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Engineering Manager, Mechanical Engineer, Multi Skilled Engineering Manager, Multiskilled Engineer, Senior Engineer, Engineering Team Leader, Maintenance Manager, Manufacturing Engineer Manager, Senior Production Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Design Engineering, Installation Engineer, Multi-skilled Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, may also be considered for this role.