Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager | Ellesmere Port, CH65 7BF
£55,000–£65,000 | Permanent, full-time
Join the founding leadership team of a brand-new manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port. All equipment is new. Hot commissioning is planned for November/December 2026, with full capacity targeted for early 2027.
You will design, implement and own the engineering and reliability strategy from day one — taking the site safely through commissioning into stable, planned-maintenance operation. The asset base runs from heavy engineering (conveyors, granulators and similar plant) through to process automation (Profibus, SCADA) and everything in between.
The role
You will lead Engineering & Reliability through start-up and into full operation, with a clear brief to build a planned-maintenance culture (target 80–85% planned / 15–20% unplanned) using RCM and TPM.
Commissioning and start-up
* Lead and coordinate hot commissioning of all new plant equipment (Nov/Dec 2026)
* Support ramp-up to full capacity through early–mid 2027
* Establish commissioning procedures, punch-list control, as-built documentation and operator training support
* Act as Site Custodian for Permit to Work and implement rigorous LOTO across all shifts
Planned maintenance, RCM and TPM
* Design and implement a PPM programme across mechanical, electrical and automation assets
* Apply RCM to critical assets and select the right maintenance strategy for each
* Embed TPM, including operator autonomous maintenance
* Drive and measure a high planned-to-unplanned work ratio
Reliability, systems and improvement
* Select, configure and embed a CMMS for planning, scheduling, history, spares and reporting
* Own reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, planned vs unplanned, schedule compliance, backlog health)
* Lead root-cause analysis and make corrective actions stick
* Manage stores, critical spares and OEM/vendor relationships
* Ensure compliance with statutory inspections, pressure systems, LOLER, PUWER and UK health and safety law
Leadership
* Build and develop a lean engineering team that grows with the plant
* Work closely with Operations so maintenance is planned around production
* Be a visible, hands-on leader through the start-up phase
What you will need
* Significant experience as Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager or senior Engineering Lead in manufacturing, process or industrial environments
* Breadth across heavy engineering (conveyors, granulators and similar) and process automation (Profibus, SCADA)
* Hands-on plant commissioning, start-up or major equipment handover (hot commissioning of new process plant ideal)
* Proven delivery of planned preventive maintenance and a high planned-to-unplanned ratio
* Experience managing Permit to Work, contractor safety and LOTO in heavy manufacturing
* Practical RCM and/or TPM experience, including operator autonomous maintenance
* Strong CMMS, work planning, spares management and reliability KPI capability
Apply online with an up-to-date CV
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed