Head of Engineering – Preston, Lancashire, UK (Relocation assistance available) Salary: £70,000–£80,000 per annum (depends on experience)
Gafoor is a fast‑growing, family‑owned food manufacturing business supplying major UK grocery, retail and wholesale customers from our modern, BRC‑accredited facility in Preston. With 500 employees and a 24/5 operation spanning live intake through to finished product distribution, we are at a pivotal stage in our growth.
About the Role
As Head of Engineering you will have strategic influence, autonomy and a commercial impact on our engineering function. You will drive cultural change and engineering excellence, embed preventive and predictive maintenance, and lead the multi‑skilled engineering team that supports a high‑throughput food manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Drive cultural change and engineering excellence across the function
- Embed a robust preventative and predictive maintenance framework
- Deliver measurable improvements in availability, efficiency and waste reduction
- Manage KPI performance, budgets and contractor relationships
- Lead a structured programme of capital expenditure
- Ensure engineering compliance with BRC requirements/standards
- Align engineering capability with ambitious business growth plans
- Act as an active member of the company’s leadership team, shaping day‑to‑day management and culture of the wider team
- Support a 24/5 operation with flexible and visible leadership
Qualifications
- Degree‑level (or equivalent) engineering qualification
- Proven success leading multi‑skilled engineering teams in food manufacturing
- Ideally experience in meat or poultry processing
- Technical credibility combined with commercial acumen
- Strong experience implementing preventive maintenance and continuous improvement programmes
- Experience managing third‑party contractors and CDM compliance
- Experience managing capital expenditure projects
- Excellent IT skills – Microsoft packages and other industry standards
- Experience in BRC or similarly regulated environments
- Track record of improving OEE and operational performance
- Confidence to influence at board and shop‑floor level
- Motivation to build a stronger engineering culture than inherited
Potential Relevant Roles
- Engineering Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Multi‑Skilled Engineering Manager
- Senior Engineer
- Engineering Team Leader
- Maintenance Manager
- Manufacturing Engineer Manager
- Senior Production Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Installation Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
Benefits
- Competitive salary with flexibility for sector expertise
- Relocation package (budget up to £5,000)
- Genuine leadership influence within a growing, ambitious business
- Opportunity to shape culture, standards and long‑term engineering strategy
- Free parking and onsite canteen with fresh hot meals daily
- Staff shop / discounted products, PPE and uniform provided
- Enhanced pension and holiday entitlement with continuous service
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