Area Engineering Manager
17 days ago
Sittingbourne
We have an exciting opportunity for an Area Engineering Manager to join our Kemsley Paper Mill and play a key role in driving performance within one of the UK’s largest and most complex manufacturing sites. In this role, you’ll take full ownership of engineering delivery within your designated area—leading a multi‑skilled team to maximise reliability, performance, and continuous improvement. Working in close partnership with Production and other operational teams, you’ll ensure that engineering excellence underpins everything we do. This is a high‑impact leadership position where you’ll combine technical expertise, people leadership, and strategic thinking to deliver safe, efficient, and cost‑effective operations. • Lead all engineering activities within your area, covering both planned and reactive maintenance, • Drive improvements in asset reliability, availability, and performance, • Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety, and Environmental standards, embedding a strong safety culture, • Own and deliver against engineering KPIs, working closely with the Area Production Manager to optimise machine performance, • Identify, scope, and deliver engineering improvement projects, • Manage budgets effectively, ensuring cost‑efficient delivery of all activities, • Analyse performance data to eliminate repeat and single‑point failures, • Embed a proactive maintenance approach, with a strong focus on condition‑based monitoring, • Lead the planning and execution of 7‑day maintenance plans and major shutdowns, • Ensure effective breakdown response through strong coordination with shift teams, • Develop your team through regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and structured development plans Callout rota: This role includes participation in a callout rota (1 week in every 8), supporting escalated issues as required. • Significant experience in mechanical engineering, ideally within paper, process, or heavy industry, • Working knowledge of Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) disciplines, • Proven experience leading and developing multi‑skilled engineering teams, • Strong understanding of maintenance strategies, including planned and condition‑based maintenance, • Data‑driven mindset, with the ability to turn insights into tangible improvements, • Highly organised, structured, and able to manage competing priorities, • A proactive, ownership‑driven leader who thrives on continuous improvement, • Committed to building and sustaining a high‑performing, collaborative team culture, • Competitive salary, • Qualifying Sick Pay scheme, • Pension scheme & Life insurance, • Share Save scheme, • Income Protection, • 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, • Employee Assistance Programme, • Virtual GP, Occupational Health & free Flu vaccine, • Cycle to Work and shopping discounts #J-18808-Ljbffr