Engineering Manager - Food Manufacturing

About the Role

A leading food manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead the site's engineering and maintenance function.

Reporting into the senior leadership team, this is a key position responsible for delivering a safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing operation through effective maintenance strategies, people leadership, continuous improvement initiatives and capital project delivery.

This opportunity will suit an ambitious engineering professional with strong leadership experience gained within manufacturing, food production, FMCG or another highly regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering and maintenance team to deliver best-in-class plant performance.
• Drive equipment reliability and minimise downtime through effective preventative and predictive maintenance programmes.
• Manage site engineering activities to ensure compliance with safety, quality and regulatory standards.
• Oversee engineering budgets, resource planning and contractor management.
• Deliver capital investment projects from concept through implementation.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, productivity and asset performance.
• Ensure all plant and equipment is maintained to the highest operational and safety standards.
• Collaborate with production, quality and operations teams to achieve site objectives.
• Lead root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions for equipment and process issues.
• Maintain engineering documentation, maintenance systems and compliance records.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing, Maintenance or a related discipline.
• Proven engineering leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of plant maintenance and equipment reliability principles.
• Experience managing engineering teams and external contractors.
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance systems.
• Strong project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing engineering budgets and capital expenditure projects.

Desirable

• Food manufacturing, FMCG or other regulated industry experience.
• Knowledge of GMP, BRC, audit and compliance requirements.
• Experience implementing lean manufacturing or operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental standards.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be:

• A proactive and visible leader.
• Results-driven with strong problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware with experience managing budgets and resources.
• Passionate about building high-performing teams.
• Focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to join a growing and successful manufacturing business.
• Significant influence on engineering strategy and site performance.
• Career development opportunities within a fast-paced production environment.
• Supportive leadership team and investment in engineering excellence.

Recruitment Process

• Initial screening call
• Formal interview process
• Site-based interview
• Reference checks

For a confidential discussion on this opportunity, please contact:

Morgan Danaher

Principal Consultant | Cpl Engineering & Construction

📧 morgan.danaher@cpl.ie

📞 087 164 7527

Alternatively, apply today with an updated CV.

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