Engineering Manager

About us

Austin Frye is a truly global Executive Search firm specialising in packaging, machinery and chemicals. We are leaders in recruitment for a circular economy and our clients include some of the most reputable manufacturers and sector-relevant private equity organisations in the world. We ourselves are funded by private equity, take a completely carbon-neutral approach, and are one of the most forward-thinking international recruitment groups in the UK. Simply put, we source great candidates for great jobs.

Client Insights

Our client are an international organisation who manufacture critical components for the packaging industry, serving customers across a broad range of sectors including technical, food and healthcare. Their state-of-the-art facility in Bedfordshire has been equipped with new, modern machinery to meet the growing needs and the business, with plans to invest further in order to cement their position as a market leader in this sector.

Position Insights & Objectives

Our client seeks to recruit an experienced and Engineering Manager with a solid understanding of blow-moulding, injection moulding, extrusion or related plastic manufacturing technologies. You will lead a busy engineering department managing pro-active and reactive maintenance schedules, with additional responsibility for process optimization/improvement, logistics and capex investments in machinery, tooling and other equipment.

This role offers an opportunity to create a long-term development strategy and oversee an annual budget to drive site operational efficiency and growth.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Manage a team of production supervisors and maintenance engineers, leading the pro-active and reactive maintenance schedules.
Prepare annual operational and capital expenditure budgets.
Manage agreed budgets with responsibility for hiring, day-to-day management and project resourcing.
Prioritise and drive the execution of multiple complex department projects.
Establish and support a work environment of continuous improvement that supports customer’s quality policies.
Initiate cross-functional partnerships to identify and resolve production/engineering issues.
Ensure the efficient and timely transfer of process knowledge from project personnel to manufacturing engineers, and coordinate the training of production team members on new processes and equipment.
Develop and implement systems, procedures and protocols ensuring that they meet and adhere to Quality Management System and Design Control requirements.

Requirements and Background

A Degree in Engineering is essential in this position, combined with at least 5 years working within a manufacturing environment at a senior level.
In-depth working knowledge of high volume production in plastic manufacturing is critical.
Strong people management and leadership skills are a must to succeed in this role..
You will demonstrate a robust understanding of continuous improvement and lean principles.
You'll be a confident team player with a quality-focused, yet creative approach to problem-solving, demonstrating a "right first-time" mentality.
As a natural communicator, you will be adept at communicating with people at all levels
As a highly organised, motivated and enthusiastic manager, you will possess a goal-focused attitude and the ability to work effectively with all other functional areas.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will possess the following leadership traits:

Strong people management skills
Structured and Planned approach
Ability to think and act strategically.
Strong drive to obtain results.
Desire to build organisational capability.
Commands respect for self

Education and Compensation

A degree in mechanical engineering is essential in this role.
The salary is negotiable for the right candidate, to be discussed with Austin Frye.

Location -

This is a

site based, senior managerial position

based in Bedfordshire. There is no hybrid working option associated with this role.