Interim Engineering Manager
| Posting date: | 18 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Up to £65,000 pro rata |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 17 April 2026 |
| Location: | Middlesbrough |
| Company: | The Compleat Food Group |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 1699 |
Summary
Job Advert
Join Our Engineering Team at The Compleat Food Group!
We’re excited to offer an incredible opportunity for an Interim Engineering Manager to join our dedicated and professional
Engineering team in Middlesbrough.
Who We Are:
At The Compleat Food Group, we're on a mission to create delectable food that not only brings joy to your taste buds but also
extends love to our planet. We fondly refer to it as 'Food to Feel Good' because we believe in savouring every bite whilst making
a positive impact.
Our team of over c6,500 remarkable individuals forms the core of all that we undertake. Their genuine passion drives the creation
of delectable products for UK consumers, prominent retailers, and our thrilling market-leading brands such as Wall's Pastry,
Squeaky Bean, and Unearthed.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Friday 8:30am – 4pm
Type of Role: Temporary Role (potential to become permanent) min. 3 month contract
Salary: Up to £65,000 pro rata depending on experience
Location: Middlesbrough
Your Duties Will Include:
Food Safety, Quality & Integrity
* Embed engineering ownership of food safety and hygienic design, ensuring compliance with Asset Care standards.
* Maintain assets and facilities to minimise contamination and foreign body risks, with verified controls.
* Own GMP compliance for all engineering work, including line release and product protection.
* Ensure utilities (refrigeration, air, water) meet legal and food safety requirements.
* Maintain audit readiness with up-to-date records, SOPs, and risk assessments.
Health, Safety & Environment
* Promote a safety-first culture aligned with legislation and Performance Model standards.
* Ensure consistent application of safe systems of work, permits, and contractor controls.
* Maintain statutory compliance for all engineering systems and equipment.
* Lead incident investigations using root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
* Drive environmental improvements to reduce energy use, waste, and impact.
Asset Performance
* Ensure accurate CMMS use, maintaining asset history and data integrity.
* Deliver a preventative maintenance programme aligned to asset criticality.
* Manage reactive maintenance effectively, ensuring root causes are resolved.
* Lead downtime analysis to improve OEE and reduce waste.
* Support new asset integration through Early Equipment Management.
* Drive continuous improvement using data, RCA, and best practice.
Financial Management
* Manage the engineering budget with accurate tracking and monthly reconciliation.
* Control contractor and supplier spend in line with procurement processes.
* Optimise spares inventory for cost and availability.
* Support CAPEX delivery and post-implementation review.
* Apply lifecycle cost principles to engineering decisions.
Resource Management
* Plan engineering cover to meet operational needs.
* Conduct performance reviews aligned to site objectives.
* Identify skills gaps and deliver targeted training.
* Ensure effective onboarding, including CMMS and safety compliance.
* Build a high-performance culture through engagement and accountability.
Governance
* Ensure compliance with Asset Care governance standards and audit readiness.
* Lead daily engineering reviews and effective shift handovers.
* Maintain accurate and current engineering documentation.
* Apply Management of Change to all modifications.
* Support audits and ensure timely close-out of actions.
Key Skills & Attributes
Qualifications
* HNC/HND or degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline) or equivalent experience.
* IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification desirable.
* Project management training or certification advantageous.
Experience
* Proven engineering leadership experience within manufacturing, preferably food or FMCG.
* Demonstrated success in improving equipment reliability, planned maintenance adherence, and CMMS compliance.
* Experience managing engineering budgets, stock control, and contractor performance.
* Familiarity with capital project delivery, governance processes, and audit compliance.
Skills
* Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
* Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis capability.
* Effective communicator able to influence across site and regional teams.
* Financial awareness to manage costs and assess investment returns.
* Organised, disciplined, and aligned to governance-led.
Why Join The Compleat Food Group?
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – delicious, high-quality food that people love to eat.
With over 6,000 colleagues across 17 UK sites and £1.3bn turnover, we’re one of the UK’s most exciting and fast-growing food
businesses.
You’ll be joining a business that values entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration and innovation, working with some of the UK’s
most loved food brands.
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits
designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
* EV charging points - available at selected sites
Health & Wellbeing
* Private Medical Insurance (work level dependent)
* Group Life Assurance (work level dependent)
* 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
* Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
* Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
* Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Career Growth & Development
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
Community & Culture
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together
* Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
* New baby gift for new parents
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or
unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition
team.
If you would be interested in working with us, please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com
[recruitment@compleatfood.com] and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.
Join Our Engineering Team at The Compleat Food Group!
We’re excited to offer an incredible opportunity for an Interim Engineering Manager to join our dedicated and professional
Engineering team in Middlesbrough.
Who We Are:
At The Compleat Food Group, we're on a mission to create delectable food that not only brings joy to your taste buds but also
extends love to our planet. We fondly refer to it as 'Food to Feel Good' because we believe in savouring every bite whilst making
a positive impact.
Our team of over c6,500 remarkable individuals forms the core of all that we undertake. Their genuine passion drives the creation
of delectable products for UK consumers, prominent retailers, and our thrilling market-leading brands such as Wall's Pastry,
Squeaky Bean, and Unearthed.
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Friday 8:30am – 4pm
Type of Role: Temporary Role (potential to become permanent) min. 3 month contract
Salary: Up to £65,000 pro rata depending on experience
Location: Middlesbrough
Your Duties Will Include:
Food Safety, Quality & Integrity
* Embed engineering ownership of food safety and hygienic design, ensuring compliance with Asset Care standards.
* Maintain assets and facilities to minimise contamination and foreign body risks, with verified controls.
* Own GMP compliance for all engineering work, including line release and product protection.
* Ensure utilities (refrigeration, air, water) meet legal and food safety requirements.
* Maintain audit readiness with up-to-date records, SOPs, and risk assessments.
Health, Safety & Environment
* Promote a safety-first culture aligned with legislation and Performance Model standards.
* Ensure consistent application of safe systems of work, permits, and contractor controls.
* Maintain statutory compliance for all engineering systems and equipment.
* Lead incident investigations using root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
* Drive environmental improvements to reduce energy use, waste, and impact.
Asset Performance
* Ensure accurate CMMS use, maintaining asset history and data integrity.
* Deliver a preventative maintenance programme aligned to asset criticality.
* Manage reactive maintenance effectively, ensuring root causes are resolved.
* Lead downtime analysis to improve OEE and reduce waste.
* Support new asset integration through Early Equipment Management.
* Drive continuous improvement using data, RCA, and best practice.
Financial Management
* Manage the engineering budget with accurate tracking and monthly reconciliation.
* Control contractor and supplier spend in line with procurement processes.
* Optimise spares inventory for cost and availability.
* Support CAPEX delivery and post-implementation review.
* Apply lifecycle cost principles to engineering decisions.
Resource Management
* Plan engineering cover to meet operational needs.
* Conduct performance reviews aligned to site objectives.
* Identify skills gaps and deliver targeted training.
* Ensure effective onboarding, including CMMS and safety compliance.
* Build a high-performance culture through engagement and accountability.
Governance
* Ensure compliance with Asset Care governance standards and audit readiness.
* Lead daily engineering reviews and effective shift handovers.
* Maintain accurate and current engineering documentation.
* Apply Management of Change to all modifications.
* Support audits and ensure timely close-out of actions.
Key Skills & Attributes
Qualifications
* HNC/HND or degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline) or equivalent experience.
* IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification desirable.
* Project management training or certification advantageous.
Experience
* Proven engineering leadership experience within manufacturing, preferably food or FMCG.
* Demonstrated success in improving equipment reliability, planned maintenance adherence, and CMMS compliance.
* Experience managing engineering budgets, stock control, and contractor performance.
* Familiarity with capital project delivery, governance processes, and audit compliance.
Skills
* Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
* Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis capability.
* Effective communicator able to influence across site and regional teams.
* Financial awareness to manage costs and assess investment returns.
* Organised, disciplined, and aligned to governance-led.
Why Join The Compleat Food Group?
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re on a mission to create Food to Feel Good – delicious, high-quality food that people love to eat.
With over 6,000 colleagues across 17 UK sites and £1.3bn turnover, we’re one of the UK’s most exciting and fast-growing food
businesses.
You’ll be joining a business that values entrepreneurial thinking, collaboration and innovation, working with some of the UK’s
most loved food brands.
Why Join Us?
At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of benefits
designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes - including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
* 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
* Holiday Discounts via our online retail platform
* Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
* Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
* EV charging points - available at selected sites
Health & Wellbeing
* Private Medical Insurance (work level dependent)
* Group Life Assurance (work level dependent)
* 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
* Physical Wellbeing Hub - free on-demand exercise classes, gym discounts
* Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of healthy recipes
* Online wellbeing support - from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
* Financial wellbeing tools - including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid
Career Growth & Development
* Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
* Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
* Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
* Company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
* Recognition through Club Compleat rewards
Community & Culture
* 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
* Charity initiatives and fundraising events
* Team socials to connect and celebrate together
* Employee networks & support groups - including Women @ Compleat
* New baby gift for new parents
Recruitment Agencies:
We have a small, active and trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or
unsolicited candidate introductions. We only accept CV submissions for roles released to you directly by our Talent Acquisition
team.
If you would be interested in working with us, please send a message to recruitment@compleatfood.com
[recruitment@compleatfood.com] and should we have any roles we need additional support with we will reach out to you.