Maintenance and Facilities Manager Co. Cork

Maintenance & Facilities Manager – County Cork

Role Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Maintenance & Facilities Manager to join a busy manufacturing operation in County Cork.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe, compliant, and effective delivery of all engineering operations across production, facilities, and site services. This role will lead a skilled engineering team while working closely with Operations, Projects, Environmental, and Quality teams to ensure the site operates efficiently and reliably.

This position plays a key role in driving engineering performance, continuous improvement initiatives, and the long-term reliability of the manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Engineering Leadership

• Develop and deliver the site maintenance strategy aligned with production and compliance requirements.
• Lead maintenance planning, scheduling, and execution activities.
• Manage engineering resources to ensure maximum equipment uptime and reliability.

Production Engineering Support

• Support production operations through effective engineering leadership and maintenance response.
• Ensure rapid resolution of breakdowns and operational issues.
• Work closely with production teams to minimise downtime and quality risks.

Facilities & Site Services

• Ensure the reliability and performance of site utilities including refrigeration, steam, water, compressed air, HVAC, and wastewater systems.
• Support sustainability initiatives, energy performance improvements, and environmental compliance activities.
• Manage contractor activities and service providers across facilities functions.

Food Safety, Compliance & Health & Safety

• Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities comply with food safety, quality, and health & safety standards.
• Support compliance with relevant industry and regulatory standards including HACCP, BRCGS, and FSSC systems.
• Promote a strong safety culture across engineering and maintenance operations.

Continuous Improvement & Reliability

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies and root cause analysis techniques.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and cost performance.

People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the engineering and facilities teams.
• Support employee development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Budget & Systems Management

• Manage maintenance and facilities budgets effectively.
• Oversee CMMS systems and ensure accurate reporting of maintenance, reliability, and energy KPIs.
• Monitor engineering performance metrics and support strategic planning activities.

Requirements

• Engineering qualification at degree level or a time-served apprenticeship.
• Proven maintenance management experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, or a similar production environment.
• Strong people management and leadership experience.
• Good understanding of compliance, audit, and food safety standards.
• Experience managing facilities, utilities, and contractors.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience using Lean tools and continuous improvement methodologies.

Desirable

• Knowledge of PUWER regulations.
• Understanding of Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and CE marking requirements.