Engineering Manager

Lead engineering performance across a complex food manufacturing operation.

We are looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to take ownership of a broad engineering function spanning maintenance, reliability, facilities, capital projects and compliance.

Based in Hamilton, this is a senior leadership role with the scope to make a real impact. You will lead an established engineering team while strengthening systems, improving plant performance and ensuring engineering priorities support the wider manufacturing operation.  Ownership of the Hamilton plant and oversite of the equipment of their contract manufacturer, in Auckland. 

This is a role for someone who enjoys getting close to the operation, identifying what needs attention and making things happen.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop the engineering team, setting clear priorities and expectations
• Drive planned maintenance, asset reliability and CMMS performance
• Improve plant availability, downtime, OEE and repeat failure performance
• Lead capital projects from business case through to commissioning and handover
• Oversee site facilities, utilities and statutory compliance
• Manage engineering safety, machine guarding, isolation and contractor performance
• Own engineering and facilities budgets, forecasting and cost control
• Lead root cause analysis and practical continuous improvement initiatives

You will work closely with production and the wider leadership team, balancing immediate operational requirements with longer-term engineering priorities.

What we're looking for:

• 5+ years' senior engineering or maintenance leadership experience within food manufacturing
• A mechanical or electrical trade qualification, engineering qualification, or equivalent management experience
• Strong maintenance, asset reliability and preventative maintenance knowledge
• Proven capital project delivery experience
• Experience managing facilities, utilities and statutory compliance
• Practical Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement experience
• Strong understanding of engineering H&S, machine safety and contractor management
• Experience managing engineering budgets and good CMMS capability
• Dairy experience would be advantageous

We are looking for a strong people leader who is decisive, practical and action-oriented.

You will be comfortable making engineering decisions, holding people accountable and managing competing priorities. You communicate clearly, follow through on commitments and deal with issues before they become bigger problems.

Importantly, you will be comfortable stepping into an environment where there is opportunity to lift standards and build a stronger engineering function.

Where to from here?
To apply click on the APPLY button and upload your cover letter and CV, or for a confidential discussion call Brigitta Warren on [021 466 732](tel:021 466 732).

Please note that you will need to be in New Zealand to be considered for this role and only those short listed will be responded to.