Head Of Engineering

Overview

Head of Engineering - Essex

Salary: c.£85,000 - £90,000 + Bonus + Blue-Chip Benefits

Location:

Essex

Commutable Locations:
Tilbury, Grays, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Dartford, Chelmsford, Medway, Maidstone, and surrounding areas.

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and strategic Head of Engineering to lead multi-site engineering operations across two major manufacturing facilities in Essex. This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic oversight with hands-on direction of capital investment, maintenance performance, and reliability excellence. As Head of Engineering, you will shape the long-term engineering roadmap, develop a high-performing team, and deliver complex CAPEX projects (up to £5m) that drive plant safety, productivity, and efficiency.

You ll work in close partnership with operations, projects, and senior management to ensure engineering excellence underpins every aspect of production.

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the engineering and maintenance teams across both sites.
• Deliver a rolling CAPEX and continuous improvement programme, ensuring all projects are completed on time, within budget, and to world-class standards.
• Develop and implement a proactive asset care and reliability strategy, driving uptime, safety, and long-term sustainability.
• Manage engineering budgets, resources, and development plans for a multi-skilled workforce.
• Build strong relationships with operations and SHE teams to maintain a culture of safety and accountability.
• Lead compliance and governance for engineering standards, ensuring full adherence to statutory and company requirements.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support site modernisation.

• Qualifications:
  
  Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related). IOSH / NEBOSH certification highly advantageous.
• Experience:
  
  Proven success leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in heavy industrial or manufacturing environments (cement, aggregates, building products, glass, packaging, or FMCG).
• Leadership:
  Track record of managing large teams and high-value CAPEX portfolios; strong stakeholder management at senior level.
• Technical:
  Comprehensive knowledge of plant maintenance, asset care, automation, and project delivery.
• Attributes:
  Visionary leader who can inspire teams, manage change, and deliver measurable improvement in reliability, efficiency, and safety.

• Competitive salary c.£85,000 - £90,000 DOE
• Annual performance bonus
• Blue-chip benefits package, including
  • Comprehensive Healthcare Plan
  • Enhanced Pension Contributions (with company match)
  • Life Assurance & Employee Assistance Programme
  • Professional Training & Development
  • Generous Holiday Allowance
  • Flexible Working Options
• Excellent long-term career prospects within a major UK manufacturing group undergoing continued investment and growth