FDL is a global ingredients and solutions provider specialising in high-quality flavour systems, syrups, sauces, and customised formulations. At our Stafford site, home to our coffee syrups and sauces manufacturing operation, we are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead our maintenance and engineering function. This role plays a critical part in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient production in a fast-paced, high-quality food environment.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all employees, visitors, vendors, and contractors understand and comply with FDL/ADM safety policies and procedures.
• Uphold the highest standards of food hygiene and site cleanliness.
• Ensure all engineering activities meet food safety, quality, health & safety, and regulatory requirements, including HACCP, BRC, and GMP.

Leadership & Team Development

• Let clear goals and performance expectations for the maintenance team.
• Manage, coach, and develop team members to reach their full potential, providing effective, consistent, and fair feedback.
• Lead the team through change management processes, including implementation of new technologies, systems, and continuous improvement programs.

Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing costs, improving plant performance, and increasing operational productivity.
• Ensure efficient management of spare parts, tools, and equipment inventories.
• Lead and support root-cause analysis on equipment failures and implement robust corrective actions.
• Support site-wide projects and lead small-scale engineering initiatives through to completion.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production, quality, and HSE teams to ensure alignment of engineering support with business objectives.
• Ensure effective availability and optimisation of spare parts to support reliability and minimal downtime.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage technical teams.
• Hands-on, proactive approach to problem-solving with strong troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly organised with strong planning and prioritisation capabilities.
• Computer literate with experience using engineering or maintenance management systems.

Education & Experience

• Recognized engineering qualification (electrical or mechanical), ideally degree-level in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Production Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Significant experience within food manufacturing, preferably in syrups, sauces, beverage ingredients, or similar liquid processing environments.
• Demonstrable leadership experience managing a maintenance function across Safety & Health, Environmental, Quality, Production, and Project Management.
• Experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of food production processes and regulatory compliance (HACCP, BRC, GMP).
• Strong project management capability with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Solid understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, process engineering, and automation.
• H&S qualifications preferred.