Engineering Manager

On behalf of our client, a market-leading engineering firm based in Plymouth, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Plant Engineering to lead, shape, and elevate their engineering operations to world-class standards.
This is an exciting leadership role at a cutting-edge manufacturer committed to innovation, quality, and continuous improvement in the medical device sector. If you're a proven engineering leader with a passion for reliability, operational excellence, and lean manufacturing, we want to hear from you.
Role Overview
As Head of Plant Engineering, you’ll take ownership of the full engineering function on-site – covering maintenance engineering, process engineering, and facilities management. You'll be responsible for driving asset performance, reliability, and continuous improvement through a proactive and capability-led approach.
This is a high-impact role, central to our client’s long-term operational strategy.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all engineering teams.
  
• Develop and mentor engineering staff through structured coaching, training, and hands-on development initiatives.
  
• Oversee performance management, talent acquisition, and apprenticeship schemes to build long-term capability.
  
• Implement and embed best-in-class asset reliability practices including reliability centred maintenance (RCM).
  
• Introduce and drive autonomous maintenance programmes to empower operators.
  
• Manage and optimise engineering budgets with a focus on continuous year-on-year cost improvements.
  
• Collaborate with group engineering on capital projects – ensuring delivery, alignment, and ROI.
  
• Optimise and enhance the use of Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
  
• Lead change initiatives with a strong focus on lean principles and a proactive culture.
  
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks including cGMP, FDA QSR 21CFR820, ISO13485, and MDD94/42/EEC.
  
• Act as the EHSEn (Environmental, Health, Safety) representative for the Plymouth site – driving site-wide compliance and safety culture.
  What We're Looking For
  
• Degree-qualified in Mechanical, Biomedical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering.
  
• A strong track record of leadership in plant and maintenance engineering – ideally within regulated manufacturing environments.
  
• Demonstrated success in implementing world-class maintenance systems and lean manufacturing processes.
  
• Deep understanding of quality management systems in a high-compliance setting.
  
• Experience leading change and fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement and innovation.
  Location
  This role is based at our client’s flagship facility in Plymouth, a site critical to their global operations.
  Why Apply?
  
• Join a fast-growing medical engineering leader with a strong global footprint.
  
• Lead a talented, high-performing engineering team with scope to shape and transform the function.
  
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
  
• Long-term career development opportunities within a progressive organisation.
  Interested?
  If you're a dynamic and forward-thinking engineering leader ready for your next challenge, please get in touch today.
  Send your CV or contact us directly for a confidential discussion.
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