Lead Maintenance Engineer

About the Company

Talent84 is delighted to be representing our client; a rapidly expanding, high-performance FMCG manufacturer based in County Durham, who have invested significantly in their infrastructure and facilities, in their search for a Lead Maintenance Engineer.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Engineering Manager, the Lead Maintenance Engineer will be responsible for the leadership, supervision, and support to a team of 4 to 6 Maintenance Engineers across a shift. The Lead Maintenance Engineer will ensure the efficient operation of plant equipment through rapid response to breakdowns, effective planning, execution of preventative maintenance, and driving continuous improvement across the site.

Main Responsibilities

Team Leadership:

1. Supervise, motivate, and lead a team of Maintenance Engineers on shift
2. Delegate daily tasks and ensure clear communication of priorities
3. Provide technical support and guidance to the team during fault-finding and repairs
4. Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and safety

Maintenance Delivery:

1. Perform hands-on engineering maintenance tasks, including reactive and planned preventative maintenance
2. Minimise downtime by swiftly addressing breakdowns and troubleshooting equipment issues
3. Coordinate and execute maintenance schedules, ensuring timely completion

Operational Support:

1. Liaise with production teams to minimise disruption during maintenance activities
2. Monitor equipment performance and proactively identify potential issues
3. Ensure compliance with health & safety protocols during all maintenance activities

Continuous Improvement:

1. Contribute to identifying and implementing improvements in maintenance processes
2. Support projects aimed at increasing equipment reliability and efficiency
3. Provide feedback to the Engineering Management Team regarding recurring issues and areas for improvement

Documentation and Reporting:

1. Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities in the CMMS (e.g., job logs, actions, time, and maintenance schedules)
2. Report shift performance, downtime causes, and key findings to the Engineering Manager

About You

To be considered for the role, it is essential that you possess demonstrable experience gained firstly as a qualified and experienced multi-skilled maintenance professional with an electrical bias (and accompanying electrical wiring certifications). You will be time-served and possess demonstrable experience gained in a fast-moving, high-volume manufacturing setting.

Key Selection Criteria:

1. Proficient troubleshooting and repairing complex machines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment (sensors, conveyors, chains, PLC, Servos, HMI, risk assessments)
2. Proven experience in supervising or leading an experienced and long-serving Engineering Maintenance team
3. Strong communication and organisational abilities
4. Experience in high-volume manufacturing, ideally in food & drink or high-volume consumer goods manufacturing environment
5. Working knowledge of H&S legislation, risk assessments, and safe working practices
6. Hands-on and practical approach to problem-solving
7. Resilient under pressure with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
8. Proactive mindset and a strong focus on achieving results
9. Prepared to work a shift-based role, requiring flexibility as part of the rotation