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

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