Engineering & Reliability Manager

About the role

An established Australian food manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Engineering & Reliability Manager to join its Operations Leadership Team. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to an experienced engineering professional who enjoys working closely with operations, driving equipment reliability, and building capability within maintenance teams. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient and reliable performance of the manufacturing operation while contributing to long-term operational improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the maintenance function to ensure safe, efficient and reliable plant operation.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all relevant standards, systems and procedures.
• Develop maintenance team capability through coaching, mentoring and structured development initiatives.
• Partner closely with production and operational stakeholders to identify opportunities for improved equipment performance and operational efficiency.
• Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to maximise asset reliability and minimise downtime.
• Utilise maintenance management systems and performance data to support effective planning and continuous improvement.
• Lead root cause analysis activities and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Manage maintenance budgets, procurement activities and spare parts inventory.
• Plan and deliver capital projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement initiatives that improve reliability, efficiency and cost performance.

About you

• Proven leadership experience within manufacturing engineering and maintenance environments.
• Strong understanding of reliability-centred maintenance principles and asset management practices.
• Experience leading maintenance improvement and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build effective cross-functional relationships.
• Strong problem-solving, planning and project management skills.
• Relevant engineering or trade qualifications.
• Seasoned engineering and maintenance leader with significant experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally within FMCG or other highly automated production settings.
• Strong technical expertise with practical leadership.
• Collaborative and engaging leadership style known for developing people, building trust and creating accountability.

If you are a practical and accomplished engineering leader looking to make a meaningful impact within a progressive manufacturing environment, we welcome your application. All enquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.