Engineering Manager

First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative with a strong reputation for quality, sustainability, and innovation. The Lake District Creamery is a key site within the business, operating in a complex, regulated manufacturing environment where engineering plays a critical role in food safety, plant reliability, and operational performance.

The Engineering Manager will lead the site engineering function, ensuring people, equipment, and materials are effectively managed to achieve business objectives, while maintaining full compliance with legal regulations and First Milk group and site policies. You will take responsibility for operational performance, cost control, compliance, and the development of a high-performing engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Operations

• Plan, organise, direct, and control all engineering activities across mechanical and electrical disciplines

• Lead the site engineering team, including the Assistant Engineering Manager and site engineers

• Ensure optimum use of labour, equipment, materials, and facilities

• Maximise plant efficiency and minimise downtime

• Plan engineering schedules and monitor performance against estimates

• Ensure effective operation of the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) system

• Maintain an effective engineering stockholding

• Prepare, manage, and deliver small to medium-sized capital projects

• Recommend and implement new engineering policies and procedures

Compliance, Food Safety, Health & Safety & Environment

• Ensure full compliance with all legal regulations and First Milk group and site policies

• Enforce food safety, quality, health & safety, and environmental procedures

• Verify engineering procedures and quality control tools are consistently applied

• Ensure engineering activities meet customer and product specifications

• Develop and manage controls to minimise environmental impact

• Manage health & safety risks across engineering operations

Team Leadership, Training & Culture

• Manage, motivate, and develop the engineering team

• Support and embed a positive, high-performance culture

• Work with HR on recruitment, retention, and succession planning

• Produce and implement annual training and succession plans

• Ensure all annual Performance and Development Reviews (PDRs) are completed and robust

• Provide ongoing coaching and skills development

• Deputise as required to ensure continuity of leadership

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Promote and support a continuous improvement culture

• Introduce best practice, innovation, and new ideas

• Initiate cost reduction proposals and make recommendations

• Monitor and review results of improvement initiatives

• Prepare and control the engineering department budget

• Forecast operating costs and manage budget performance

Interfaces & Stakeholder Management

• Work collaboratively with the Site Leadership Team

• Engage with other site teams, business units, and central functions

• Manage relationships with customers, suppliers, contractors, and external bodies

About You

• Proven experience leading an engineering function within a manufacturing or food production environment

• Strong mechanical and electrical engineering expertise

• In-depth knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and environmental compliance

• Experience managing PPM systems, budgets, and capital projects

• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills

• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, regulated environment

• A calm, professional approach with a commitment to high standards

What’s on Offer

• An opportunity to lead the engineering function at a highly respected, farmer-owned dairy co-operative

• Full responsibility for the operational performance, compliance, and development of the engineering team

• Exposure to capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and site-wide engineering strategy

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• A supportive and collaborative environment, with opportunities for development and progression