Proactive Engineering Manager

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

SDUK's brands include the Nation’s favourite cheese brand Cathedral City plus other well-known butter & spreads (Clover, Country Life, Vitalite, Utterly Butterly), functional ingredients and dairy free products.

This role, (internally titled as maintenance lead, proactive) is a management position that will lead the proactive engineering team towards delivering incremental and significant improvement opportunities across the site, utilising strong influencing skills, data and analytical skills.

Working across 16 lines with varying levels of automation (13 of which have been installed over the past 2.5 years), the position will be key in ensuring we build a strong preventative and proactive strategy that is fit for purpose, can be evolved, and will work towards the continued reduction of unplanned downtime.

Leading a team consisting of controls, asset care, and process improvement engineers, this role will benefit an engineer with management experience and a mechanical bias to identify opportunities for innovation to engineer out any problems. A background in reactive maintenance is suitable, as long as you also have a strong understanding of preventative and proactive practices.

YOU’LL MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT MATTER BY…

• Developing and implementing proactive and predictive maintenance strategies to minimise equipment downtime and extend asset life
• Establishing a comprehensive preventative maintenance program based on equipment criticality and historical performance data
• Utilising predictive maintenance tools and techniques (vibration analysis, thermal imaging etc.) to identify potential equipment failures before they occur
• Analysing maintenance data to refine maintenance strategies and improve OEE
• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance maintenance efficiency and effectiveness, and to reduce equipment downtime
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of asset care, controls, and process improvement engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability
• Working closely with the reactive maintenance team and production teams to understand operational requirements and minimise disruptions during maintenance activities
• Assisting in the development and management of the maintenance budget, focusing on cost-effective solutions
• Ensuring all maintenance activities comply with food safety, H&S, and Saputo regulations, and promoting a culture of safety within the maintenance team
• Maintaining accurate records of maintenance activities, including preventative and predictive maintenance tasks, generating reports on maintenance performance, equipment reliability, and improvement initiatives

YOU’RE BEST SUITED FOR THE ROLE IF YOU ARE…

• Educated in a relevant field (apprenticeship to NHD level or equivalent, or a strong graduate) with relevant practical engineering experience within a production/manufacturing environment
• An experienced manager, leading mentoring, and developing high-performing engineering teams
• Able to demonstrate expertise with proactive and preventative practices
• A strong communicator with experience effectively influencing senior members to deliver change
• Experienced leading and delivering CI projects and delivering a culture change
• A strong analytical thinker, driven by data, with strong planning and decision-making skills
• Able to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the site safety, technical and (ideally) food manufacturing standards to ensure your team is always complaint

WE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES BY PROVIDING YOU WITH…

• Bonus scheme paid quarterly
• Autonomous and inclusive working environment
• Opportunities for progression within the UK and overseas
• Enhanced employer pension contributions with Scottish Widows
• Health cash plan - claim money back towards essential healthcare such as dental, eye care etc.
• Access to Thrive 24-hours a day - a leading and NHS clinically approved app which focuses on general wellbeing
• Long service recognised every 5 years
• Life assurance up to 4 x contractual pay
• Discounted branded products
• Free, onsite parking
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• My Staff Shop - access to exclusive benefits, free advice and savings -providing great discounts from thousands of the UKs largest retailers & service providers.

For additional information on our benefits please go to uk.saputo.com/en/careers/employee-benefits

We support employment equity. Saputo strives to embed diversity and inclusion in its operations and invites candidates from all horizons to join our team.

To enable you to bring your best we will ensure you are provided with any physical or non-physical adjustments to support your participation in the job application and interview process.

#SDUK2025

Agencies - Thank you for your interest in working with Saputo Dairy UK. We have a PSL who will be supporting us if needed. We do not pay fees or acknowledge any CV’s supplied to Saputo Dairy UK unless you have been briefed on the role by a member of the Talent Acquisition Team.

In the UK, Saputo is a producer of leading British food brands and value-added ingredients. We manufacture a range of cheeses, dairy spreads, and dairy-free products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands including Cathedral City, Clover, Country Life, Frylight and Wensleydale.

Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to our success.

You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help.