Site Engineering Lead (Hands-On)
South Devon | Salary DOE | Mon–Fri (flexibility required)
- Currently leading engineers in FMCG/manufacturing - still confident on the tools?
- FMCG / Manufacturing / Food & Drink Manufacturing experience is essential
Overview
Ballantine Recruitment is partnering with a food manufacturing business to recruit a hands-on Site Engineering Lead.
This role is responsible for leading the engineering function on site while remaining technically credible and visible on the shop floor.
You will take ownership of maintenance delivery, team performance, and engineering standards, supporting production to maximise uptime and output.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and hold an engineering team accountable for performance
- Act as first point of escalation for breakdowns and technical issues
- Drive planned and reactive maintenance to maximise asset uptime
- Own and develop CMMS (Pirana) and maintenance strategy
- Manage KPIs, maintenance budget, and spares control
- Ensure compliance with H&S, food safety, and site standards
- Manage contractors, audits, and statutory requirements
- Work closely with production and technical teams to improve performance
Candidate Requirements
- Electrically biased (or strong multi-skilled with electrical strength)
- Recognised engineering qualifications (City & Guilds, BTEC, apprenticeship or equivalent)
- Proven experience leading engineers in a manufacturing environment
- Strong fault-finding and hands-on engineering capability
- Recent background in FMCG / food / production-led environments (essential)
- Confident managing KPIs, audits, and team performance
- Structured, decisive, and comfortable taking ownership
What Success Looks Like
- Improved uptime and faster response to breakdowns
- Strong maintenance discipline through CMMS
- Clear accountability and performance within the engineering team
- High standards across H&S and food safety
- Effective collaboration with production
Package
- Salary: DOE
- Monday–Friday (flexibility required)
- Additional benefits available
Apply via Ballantine Recruitment or contact for a confidential discussion.
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
