Engineering Manager
Gateshead
About the Role
At Valeo Foods, we're looking for an experienced and driven Engineering Manager to lead our engineering function at our Gateshead site. This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll be responsible for ensuring the reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operation while developing a high-performing engineering team.
As Engineering Manager, you will shape and deliver the site's engineering strategy, driving operational excellence, asset reliability, safety, and compliance. Working closely with operational and cross-functional teams, you'll play a key role in supporting business performance, enhancing productivity, and delivering strategic improvement projects.
What You'll Be Doing
Engineering & Maintenance Leadership
- Develop and implement a robust engineering and maintenance strategy aligned to site and business objectives.
- Lead preventative and predictive maintenance programmes to maximise equipment reliability and minimise downtime.
- Ensure engineering resources are utilised effectively to support operational performance and customer requirements.
- Review and optimise asset management plans to improve equipment performance and longevity.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
- Champion a strong safety culture across the engineering function, ensuring full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and food safety standards.
- Conduct and review risk assessments, safe systems of work, and contractor management processes.
- Ensure all engineering activities meet regulatory and internal compliance requirements.
- Investigate and resolve equipment-related quality issues, supporting continuous improvement in product quality and operational standards.
Continuous Improvement & Project Delivery
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost performance across the site.
- Lead engineering improvement initiatives and capital investment projects from concept through to delivery.
- Manage both CapEx and OpEx budgets, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to agreed specifications.
- Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across the engineering team.
Financial & Resource Management
- Manage the engineering budget, ensuring effective control of labour, maintenance spend, spare parts, and contractor costs.
- Deliver value-driven procurement decisions while balancing operational requirements and long-term asset performance.
- Monitor performance metrics and use data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making.
People Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop a skilled engineering team, creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance.
- Set clear objectives and performance expectations aligned with site priorities.
- Conduct regular one-to-one meetings, performance reviews, and development planning.
- Support succession planning and talent development to build future engineering capability.
- Proven experience in a senior engineering role, ideally within food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering
- Experience of leading site services (effluent, allergen and hazards)
- Experience managing maintenance strategies and project planning
- A track record of leading teams, driving performance, and managing change
- Experience in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment
- Capital project management experience
- Familiarity with project management software
This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You'll have the autonomy to shape engineering strategy, lead meaningful improvements, and develop a talented team while contributing to the continued success of a well-established food manufacturing business.