Head of Engineering

Job tittle: Head of Engineering

Location: Kendal, Cumbria

Working : Monday -Friday 8am -4:00 pm

About us:

Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing nutrition success stories.

Kendal Nutricare creates world-class nutrition for every stage of life — from Kendamil infant and toddler formula to Kendalife adult nutrition. We’re a family-owned, purpose-driven business with big global ambitions.

In 2025, we were ranked the UK’s fastest-growing food and drink company, with Kendamil now one of the fastest-growing baby brands in the world, the No.1 Organic formula in both the UK and USA, and available in 40+ countries (and counting).

As the only British infant formula manufacturer, we’re proud to produce our award-winning products here in the UK using British full-cream milk, with no palm oil or unnecessary additives — trusted by families worldwide.

We’re on an exciting path – join us!

The role:

We are looking for a Head of Engineering, to be responsible for the overall management of our on-site Engineering Department and to be accountable for the strategic implementation of our Engineering Goals within the Business. Reporting to our Factory Manager the successful candidate will also work closely with key external stakeholders.

Provide clear leadership and vision, inspire and motivate staff to achieve excellence and mentor them as they develop new skills. Drive Key Performance Indicators across all areas of the Engineering department to ensure that all projects are delivered on cost and on time to the highest quality standards. Ensure Health, Safety and Environmental issues are prioritised and facilitate, direct and drive implementation of business strategy and drive Continuous Improvement across all engineering related areas of the business.

This is a full-time role based at our headquarters in Kendal.

You will be required to work Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm.

What you’ll be doing:

· Overall responsibility for Engineering activities across the business

· Create and implement best practice engineering vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid and improve business performance.

· Ensure that engineering strategies and processes are in place to meet business objectives and operational needs in terms of price, quality and delivery targets and which enables the company to function and compete effectively in the market.

· Evaluate the challenges faced by the business and take action to mitigate risks and develop opportunities.

· Providing technical support to the business development, estimating and onsite engineering teams.

· Develop planning and prioritise processes to ensure that multi-disciplinary resource is well aligned to maximise delivery of projects.

· Ensure any new equipment or engineering activity is supported with appropriate qualification documentation and that this is appropriately stored.

· Liaise with Operations department to ensure manufacturability of product while maintaining quality, safety and environmental standards and achieving cost targets in a timely fashion.

· Support project management to cross functional activity required for project execution.

· Report on Engineering activities on a regular basis to the Senior Management team, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of the relevant Key Performance Indicators

· Ensure that Environmental, Health and Safety, engineering and quality standards and procedures are adhered to.

· Set department objectives and monitor ongoing progress and performance.

· Ensure strong communication between teams under leadership to facilitate exchange of information and to implement change and improvements.

· Complete regular performance reviews, manage attendance, holidays, disciplinary issues and procedures as appropriate.

· Complying with safety procedures including but not limited to: adopting safe working practices, wearing the required protective clothing and use of safety equipment appropriate to the role.

What you’ll need:

· Proven leadership and management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development.

· Educated to degree level (preferably Masters) in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent NVQ Level 7 qualification.

· Demonstrable experience of leading an engineering function with a proven track record in strategic engineering leadership delivering effective engineering strategies, policies, processes and systems.

· Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate and manage key stakeholders and suppliers.

· Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels.

· Excellent communication skills at all levels of business, interpersonal and professional.

· Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

· Results orientated with ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines.

· Commercially and financially astute with experience of managing budgets.

What we would like you to be:

· Inspires and motivates the team

· Consistently manages performance firmly and fairly

· Flexible approach to working hours.

· Resilient, optimistic and open to change

· Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings

· Is confident, assertive and self assured

· Self motivated and able to work well under pressure

What you’ll get from us:

The opportunity to work for the fastest growing infant milk brand in Europe, alongside a young talented team dedicated to serving thousands of passionate customers.

We offer to all our employees:

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• A pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance at 2 x basic salary*
• Free parking*
• Subsidised breakfast
• Free gym membership*
• Health Cash Plan

Competitive salary dependant on experience

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact on health through innovative engineering solutions, we invite you to bring your expertise to Kendal Nutricare Ltd. Join us in shaping the future of nutrition and apply today!

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kendal LA9 6NL: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Engineering Management: 5 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Kendal LA9 6NL (preferred)

Work Location: In person