Reactive Maintenance Manager

Major Recruitment; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Reactive Maintenance Manager to oversee the Shift Engineering Team and manage the reactive maintenance programme. The ideal candidate has a strong background in engineering, leadership skills, and knowledge of Health & Safety regulations. Competitive salary and benefits are provided, with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career progression

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Maintenance Manager, Engineering Supervisor, or Lead Engineer in manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of reactive and preventive maintenance systems.
• Ability to use data for driving improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Shift Engineering Team.
• Manage the reactive maintenance programme for effective responses.
• Drive compliance with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical mindset

Knowledge of Health & Safety

Training and development

Education

HNC / HND or equivalent in Engineering

Tools

CMMS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reactive Maintenance Manager

Location: Coventry

Hours: Full-time Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm

Salary: £60000 Competitive + Benefits

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced and driven Reactive Maintenance Manager to join our Engineering team. In this hands‑on leadership role, you'll be responsible for managing and developing the Shift Engineering Team, ensuring all maintenance activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

You will take ownership of reactive maintenance performance, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations. Your leadership will be key in improving response times, reducing downtime, and developing engineering excellence across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Shift Engineering Team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and company engineering procedures (RA, RAMS, and Work Permits).
• Manage the reactive maintenance programme, ensuring rapid and effective responses to breakdowns.
• Implement Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and preventive measures to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Drive Operational Excellence and adherence to 5S standards in all engineering areas.
• Support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and troubleshooting guides.
• Oversee availability of critical spare parts and ensure accurate stock control within the CMMS system.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Technical, and H&S departments to meet site KPIs and OEE targets.
• Support budget management and identify cost‑saving opportunities within the maintenance function.
• Mentor and upskill engineers and operators through structured training and development plans.

About You

You're an experienced engineering leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, manufacturing environment and enjoys improving systems and developing people.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience as a Maintenance Manager, Engineering Supervisor, or Lead Engineer within a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Strong understanding of reactive and preventive maintenance systems.
• Excellent knowledge of Health & Safety, Risk Assessments, and Engineering Compliance.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, motivate, and develop engineering teams.
• Analytical mindset with experience using data to drive improvements (e.g., OEE, downtime analysis).
• Computer literate with experience in CMMS systems and Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• HNC / HND or equivalent in Engineering.
• Food industry experience.
• Experience implementing 5S, Lean, or Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a talented engineering team in a high‑performing production environment.
• Be part of a company committed to safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Career progression and ongoing professional development.

Working Relationships

• Engineering and Shift Teams
• Production and Site Management
• Technical, Health & Safety, and Warehouse Teams
• External contractors, suppliers, and OEMs

Apply Now

If you're a proactive and passionate Reactive Maintenance Manager who takes pride in improving performance, developing teams, and ensuring operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Click "Apply Now" to submit your CV or email directly to or call for more info Donna Banks on 02475264248.