Reporting to Belfast Plant Manager, the Maintenance & Engineering Manager will lead the Belfast plant maintenance and engineering function to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective plant performance. The role is accountable for asset reliability, maintenance strategy, engineering standards, team leadership and delivery of site capital projects.

     Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and hold accountable the site maintenance and engineering team.
• Deliver planned, preventive and predictive maintenance programmes that maximise plant availability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Own plant reliability performance, using breakdown analysis, root cause investigation and corrective actions to prevent repeat failures.
• Manage engineering budgets, contractors, spare parts and maintenance costs, ensuring value for money and effective cost control.
• Provide technical leadership across mechanical, electrical, automation, PLC, SCADA, HMI and MES systems.
• Ensure effective use of CMMS, OEE and maintenance performance data to prioritise work and drive improvement.
• Lead engineering and capital projects from scope and business case through installation, commissioning and handover.
• Partner with Operations to improve throughput, quality, energy efficiency, housekeeping and overall plant performance.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, environmental, feed safety, ATEX/DSEAR, statutory inspection and engineering standards.
• Manage external contractors and service providers, ensuring safe systems of work, quality delivery and compliance with site procedures.
• Maintain appropriate engineering documentation, asset records, drawings, risk assessments and critical spares controls.

• Develop site engineering capability, succession plans and standards that support future growth and resilience.

  Key Measures of Success 

• Plant availability, downtime and repeat breakdown performance.
• Planned maintenance completion and CMMS discipline.
• Engineering cost and capital project delivery against budget and programme.
• Safety, compliance and audit performance.
• Team capability, responsiveness and delivery of continuous improvement.

The right candidate for this role will have: 

• Minimum five years in a senior maintenance or engineering leadership role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical engineering background with sound electrical and automation knowledge.
• Proven experience improving plant reliability and planned maintenance performance.
• Experience managing engineering budgets, contractors and capital projects.
• Working knowledge of CMMS, OEE, PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial process control systems.
• Strong health and safety knowledge, including contractor control and statutory compliance.
• Relevant engineering degree, higher qualification or recognised apprenticeship with substantial experience.
• Experience in feed milling, animal nutrition, agri-food, FMCG or process manufacturing is desirable.

Skills and Behaviours:

• Visible, hands-on leadership with strong technical judgement.
• Clear prioritisation, accountability and attention to detail.
• Data-led problem solving and a practical continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence across Operations, technical teams, suppliers and senior management.
• Calm, decisive response to breakdowns and operational pressure.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility to support a manufacturing operation outside normal hours when required.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel occasionally to other Group sites or project locations.

Salary and Benefits:

• Based in Belfast
• 37.5 hour week
• Competitive Salary depending on skills and experience
• 5% company matched pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus statutory days
• Life Assurance
• Training and development opportunities to support your career
• Medicash Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistant Programme
• Medicash Reward Extras
• Refer a friend scheme

Devenish is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community