Engineering Manager - Protein

We are partnering with a leading protein manufacturer to identify an experienced Engineering Manager to lead engineering, maintenance and reliability activities across its manufacturing operations.

This is a key leadership position within a business where equipment reliability, operational efficiency and continuous improvement are critical to success. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing maintenance strategies, improving equipment performance, managing engineering projects and ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently and reliably.

Working closely with Production, Operations, Maintenance and senior leadership, the Engineering Manager will play a pivotal role in reducing downtime, optimizing manufacturing performance and supporting the business's ongoing growth.

The business is seeking a proactive, hands-on engineering leader who can combine strong technical expertise with effective team management, driving a culture of accountability, preventative maintenance and continuous improvement across the facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Engineering Leadership: Lead engineering and maintenance activities across the facility, ensuring equipment, infrastructure and production systems operate safely and efficiently.

• Maintenance Strategy: Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

• Reliability Improvement: Identify recurring equipment failures, conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Team Management: Lead, coach and develop engineering and maintenance personnel, including Maintenance Supervisors, Maintenance Technicians and other technical team members.

• Operational Partnership: Work closely with Production and Plant Leadership to prioritize maintenance activities, minimize disruption and support production targets.

• Capital Projects: Oversee engineering projects, equipment installations, facility upgrades and capital expenditure initiatives from planning through to commissioning.

• Budget Management: Develop and manage engineering and maintenance budgets, controlling expenditure on labor, spare parts, contractors and equipment.

• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, equipment performance, process capability and overall plant productivity.

• Equipment & Infrastructure: Ensure the reliability and performance of processing, packaging, refrigeration, utilities and other critical manufacturing systems.

• Food Manufacturing Compliance: Ensure engineering and maintenance activities comply with applicable safety, food safety, sanitation and regulatory requirements.

• Safety & Risk Management: Promote safe working practices, ensuring compliance with lockout/tagout (LOTO), contractor safety procedures and relevant workplace regulations.

• Spare Parts & Asset Management: Establish effective spare parts management, equipment criticality assessments and maintenance planning processes.

• Shutdown & Project Planning: Coordinate planned maintenance shutdowns, equipment servicing and major engineering work to minimize operational disruption.

• Performance Management: Establish and monitor key performance indicators, including downtime, maintenance costs, preventative maintenance compliance and equipment reliability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Quality, Sanitation, EHS, Operations and Continuous Improvement teams to resolve technical challenges and improve plant performance.

• Long-Term Development: Develop engineering standards, maintenance systems and asset management strategies that support future manufacturing growth.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an established engineering or maintenance leader with a strong background in manufacturing and a proven ability to improve equipment reliability, develop technical teams and drive operational performance.

Key requirements include:

• Proven experience in engineering or maintenance leadership within a manufacturing environment.

• Previous experience in protein, meat, poultry, seafood or broader food manufacturing would be highly advantageous.

• Strong understanding of industrial maintenance, preventative maintenance, predictive maintenance and reliability engineering.

• Experience managing engineering and maintenance teams within a fast-paced production environment.

• Demonstrated success in reducing downtime, improving equipment reliability and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

• Experience managing capital projects, equipment installations, facility upgrades and engineering budgets.

• Knowledge of manufacturing equipment, processing lines, packaging systems, conveyors, refrigeration and plant utilities.

• Familiarity with CMMS platforms, maintenance planning systems and equipment performance metrics.

• Strong understanding of workplace safety requirements, including LOTO, machine guarding and contractor management.

• Experience working cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Sanitation and Operations leadership.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.

• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate technical teams and influence senior stakeholders.

• A degree, technical qualification or equivalent experience in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Leadership & Visibility: Work closely with plant leadership and senior management, directly influencing manufacturing performance and operational strategy.

Operational Impact: Take ownership of engineering and maintenance performance, with the opportunity to improve reliability, reduce downtime and increase production efficiency.

Technical Challenge: Lead engineering activities within a complex protein manufacturing environment, working with critical processing, packaging and facility systems.

Opportunity to Improve: Implement modern maintenance strategies, strengthen preventative maintenance programs and develop a culture of continuous improvement.

Team Development: Build and develop engineering and maintenance capabilities, creating a high-performing team focused on reliability, safety and operational excellence.

Long-Term Growth: Join an established protein manufacturer where engineering excellence and investment in manufacturing capabilities are central to continued success.