Engineering Workshop Manager

Total Engineering East Tamaki Ltd; Howick; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Total Engineering East Tamaki Ltd in Auckland seeks a hands-on Engineering Workshop Manager to lead a skilled team, manage jobs end-to-end, and ensure quality and safety in a busy workshop environment. You will mentor apprentices, coordinate with customers, plan and quote projects, and troubleshoot production issues while maintaining reliability and strong workmanship.

This role blends leadership with practical engineering work in a food-industry focused setting, offering varied projects and

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a tradesman/general engineer (fitter turner experience preferred, but other engineering backgrounds considered).
• Solid understanding of engineering standards, quality expectations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-first approach.
• Ability to work independently, plan effectively, and troubleshoot under pressure.
• Food industry experience is ideal, but not essential.
• You must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Work with customers to understand requirements and deliver practical, effective solutions
• Manage engineering jobs and projects from inception through to completion
• Plan, quote, organise, and oversee project delivery (including scheduling and coordination)
• Support day-to-day workshop operations and ensure work is completed to schedule
• Maintain quality control to ensure all work meets required standards
• Lead by example, troubleshoot issues, and resolve engineering and production problems
• Support, mentor, and train apprentices, helping build capability within the team

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Customer engagement

Planning

Problem solving

Apprentice mentoring

Communication

Hands-on engineering

Education

Trade qualification / general engineering

Tools

Machining

Fabrication

Repair

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

We're seeking a hands-on Engineering Workshop Manager to lead our team and help drive projects to completion. This is a key role for an experienced tradesman/general engineer who enjoys a combination of leadership, customer engagement, planning, problem-solving, and time on the tools. You will lead from the front—supporting the engineering team, ensuring quality and compliance, managing jobs end-to-end, and helping develop apprentices through training and mentoring.

Key responsibilities

Work with customers to understand requirements and deliver practical, effective solutions

Manage engineering jobs and projects from inception through to completion

Plan, quote, organise, and oversee project delivery (including scheduling and coordination)

Support day-to-day workshop operations and ensure work is completed to schedule

Maintain quality control to ensure all work meets required standards

Ensure compliance with food industry requirements and all relevant health and safety obligations

Lead by example, troubleshoot issues, and resolve engineering and production problems

Support, mentor, and train apprentices, helping build capability within the team

About you

Proven experience as a tradesman/general engineer (fitter turner experience preferred, but other engineering backgrounds considered)

A solid understanding of engineering standards, quality expectations, and compliance requirements

Strong leadership, organisational, and project management skills

Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-first approach

The ability to work independently, plan effectively, and troubleshoot under pressure

Reliability, commitment to quality workmanship, and a hands-on mindset

Food industry experience is ideal, but not essential

You must have the right to work in New Zealand

About us

Total Engineering is a well-established, locally owned company based in East Tamaki. We specialise in high-quality machining, fabrication, and repair work, delivering reliable engineering solutions across a range of industries—with a strong focus on the food industry. Our engineering team ranges in size from 6 - 10 depending on projects in progress.

Competitive remuneration based on skills and experience

Opportunity for career growth with varied and interesting work

A mix of workshop-based and site-based projects

A supportive, collaborative team environment