Site Engineering Lead

  • Ballantine Recruitment
  • Paignton, Devon
  • Apr 25, 2026
Full time Manufacturing

Job Description

Site Engineering Lead (Hands-On)
South Devon Salary DOE Mon Fri (flexibility required)
FMCG / Manufacturing / Food & Drink Manufacturing experience is essential

  • Are you a hands-on Engineering Team Leader with a strong electrical bias, currently leading engineers in a manufacturing environment?

Overview

Ballantine Recruitment is partnering with a food manufacturing business to recruit a hands-on Site Engineering Lead.

This role sits at the centre of site performance leading the engineering function while remaining technically credible and visible on the shop floor.

You will take ownership of maintenance delivery, team performance, and engineering standards, supporting production to maximise uptime and output.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and hold an engineering team accountable for performance

  • Act as first point of escalation for breakdowns and technical issues

  • Drive planned and reactive maintenance to maximise asset uptime

  • Own and develop CMMS (Pirana) to support maintenance strategy

  • Manage KPIs, maintenance budget, and spares control

  • Ensure compliance with H&S, food safety, and site standards

  • Manage contractors, audits, and statutory requirements

  • Work closely with production and technical teams to improve performance

Candidate Requirements

  • Electrically biased (or strong multi-skilled with electrical strength)

  • Recognised engineering qualifications (City & Guilds, BTEC, apprenticeship or equivalent)

  • Proven experience leading engineers in a manufacturing environment

  • Strong fault-finding and hands-on engineering capability

  • Background in FMCG / food / production-led environments (essential)

  • Confident managing KPIs, audits, and team performance

  • Structured, decisive, and comfortable taking ownership

What Success Looks Like

  • Improved uptime and faster response to breakdowns

  • Strong maintenance discipline through CMMS

  • Clear accountability and performance within the team

  • High standards across H&S and food safety

  • Effective collaboration with production

Package

  • Salary: DOE

  • Monday Friday (flexibility required)

  • Additional benefits available

Apply via Ballantine Recruitment or contact for a confidential discussion.