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Head of Engineering - Essex
Salary: c.85,000 - 90,000 + Bonus + Blue-Chip Benefits
Location: Essex
Commutable Locations: Tilbury, Grays, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Dartford, Chelmsford, Medway, Maidstone, and surrounding areas.
Role Overview
An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and strategic Head of Engineering to lead multi-site engineering operations across two major manufacturing facilities in Essex.
This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic oversight with hands-on direction of capital investment, maintenance performance, and reliability excellence.
As Head of Engineering, you will shape the long-term engineering roadmap, develop a high-performing team, and deliver complex CAPEX projects (up to 5m) that drive plant safety, productivity, and efficiency.
You'll work in close partnership with operations, projects, and senior management to ensure engineering excellence underpins every aspect of production.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for the engineering and maintenance teams across both sites.
- Deliver a rolling CAPEX and continuous improvement programme, ensuring all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to world-class standards.
- Develop and implement a proactive asset care and reliability strategy, driving uptime, safety, and long-term sustainability.
- Manage engineering budgets, resources, and development plans for a multi-skilled workforce.
- Build strong relationships with operations and SHE teams to maintain a culture of safety and accountability.
- Lead compliance and governance for engineering standards, ensuring full adherence to statutory and company requirements.
- Identify and implement innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support site modernisation.
Required Skills & Experience
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related). IOSH / NEBOSH certification highly advantageous.
- Experience: Proven success leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in heavy industrial or manufacturing environments (cement, aggregates, building products, glass, packaging, or FMCG).
- Leadership: Track record of managing large teams and high-value CAPEX portfolios; strong stakeholder management at senior level.
- Technical: Comprehensive knowledge of plant maintenance, asset care, automation, and project delivery.
- Attributes: Visionary leader who can inspire teams, manage change, and deliver measurable improvement in reliability, efficiency, and safety.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary c.85,000 - 90,000 DOE
- Annual performance bonus
- Blue-chip benefits package, including:
o Comprehensive Healthcare Plan
o Enhanced Pension Contributions (with company match)
o Life Assurance & Employee Assistance Programme
o Professional Training & Development
o Generous Holiday Allowance
o Flexible Working Options
- Excellent long-term career prospects within a major UK manufacturing group undergoing continued investment and growth.
