Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Job description

We're looking for an Engineering Manager! This is a senior leadership position, responsible for the strategic direction, operational performance, and continual improvement of all Engineering activities at our Higgidy HQ!

What will you be DOING?

• Owning the day-to-day engineering performance on site — driving reliability, uptime and continuous improvement
• Building and delivering a 5-year engineering and investment strategy aligned to business goals
• Leading capital and operational projects end-to-end (design, install, commission and handover) — on time and within budget
• Setting clear engineering KPIs and improvement ways of working (e.g. TPM, PPM, condition-based monitoring) and using data to focus effort where it counts
• Getting to the root cause of repeat issues and making sure fixes stick
• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing engineering team and building a strong talent pipeline
• Partnering with stakeholders across the business — communicating clearly with plans, progress, risks and mitigations
• Championing Health & Safety in engineering, ensuring equipment and facilities are safe, compliant and fit for purpose
• Owning GMP standards for engineering areas (plant rooms, stores, roof spaces) and keeping audit readiness front and centre
• Taking overall ownership of facilities management and keeping the site compliant, controlled and well-maintained
• Managing engineering CapEx and OpEx budgets, driving year-on-year productivity/cost improvements, and keeping a tight grip on spares and consumables
• Owning site energy consumption and delivering long-term efficiency improvements
• Keeping engineering documentation up to date and ensuring legal/technical/food safety requirements are met

What KNOWLEDGE or SKILLS do you need to have?

• Strong leadership experience in an engineering function within food manufacturing (ideally chilled FMCG), with an ownership mindset
• Proven ability to create strategy and deliver it, turning big plans into practical, well-managed projects and improvements
• A confident, visible Health & Safety leadership style and comfortable working in a high-compliance environment
• A strong understanding of GMP in a food environment and what “audit ready” looks like day to day
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management, able to influence cross-functionally and keep people aligned
• Strong commercial and financial control (OpEx/CapEx budgeting, forecasting, value engineering)
• Solid technical knowledge across utilities (steam, refrigeration, compressed air, gas, electricity) and experience supporting a 24/7 operation

What will HIGGIDY do for you?

• Delicious complementary Higgidy food
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy/sell extra holiday days
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave
• An array of discounts and benefits through the Perkbox platform
• A volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work
• Access to exciting company events, including our annual Higgidy Picnic!

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Shoreham-By-Sea

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

20-05-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English