ENGINEERING LEAD - fixed term contract

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Engineering Lead to take ownership of the engineering, maintenance and asset reliability function within a Lubricants Manufacturing Plant.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing the plant's engineering and maintenance strategy, ensuring optimal equipment performance, operational reliability, statutory compliance and cost-effective asset management.

This is a strategic and hands-on leadership position requiring strong multidisciplinary engineering expertise, with the ability to lead mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and maintenance functions within a demanding industrial manufacturing environment.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in the oil and gas, petroleum refining, petrochemical, lubricants, chemical processing or related continuous manufacturing industries.

Engineering Strategy & Asset Reliability

• Develop and implement the plant's engineering and maintenance strategy.

• Drive equipment reliability, plant availability and operational efficiency.

• Implement preventative, predictive and reliability-centred maintenance programmes.

• Reduce unplanned breakdowns and recurring equipment failures.

• Develop asset lifecycle management strategies for critical plant equipment.

• Oversee mechanical, electrical and instrumentation maintenance activities.

2. Maintenance & Operational Excellence

• Lead maintenance planning, scheduling and execution.

• Monitor maintenance KPIs, including OEE, MTBF, equipment availability and downtime.

• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives.

• Reduce reactive maintenance and manage maintenance backlogs.

• Drive continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing, TPM and Six Sigma methodologies.

• Provide technical support to production and plant operations.

3. Financial & Engineering Project Management

• Manage engineering and maintenance budgets and operational expenditure.

• Identify opportunities for maintenance cost optimisation.

• Oversee capital expenditure projects, plant modifications and commissioning.

• Ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets, timelines and specifications.

• Manage critical spares, procurement requirements and asset lifecycle costs.

4. SHEQ, Governance & Statutory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering legislation, safety regulations and industry standards.

• Maintain engineering governance, technical documentation and statutory records.

• Drive engineering risk assessments and equipment safety standards.

• Manage engineering audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

• Ensure contractors comply with plant safety and operational requirements.

5. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering and maintenance team.

• Build technical capability through coaching, training and succession planning.

• Manage external engineering contractors, service providers and suppliers.

• Collaborate with Operations, SHEQ, Supply Chain and Commercial teams.

• Drive accountability, performance management and engineering excellence.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or Industrial Engineering.

• Additional engineering or asset management certifications will be advantageous.

• 10–15 years' engineering and maintenance experience within an industrial manufacturing or processing environment.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior engineering leadership or multidisciplinary maintenance management role.

• Proven experience within the Oil & Gas, Petroleum, Petrochemical, Refinery, Lubricants, Chemical Processing or FMCG Manufacturing industries.

• Demonstrated experience managing mechanical, electrical and instrumentation maintenance functions.

• Strong background in preventative, predictive and reliability-centred maintenance.

• Proven experience managing engineering budgets, shutdowns, maintenance planning and capital projects.

• Experience with plant equipment reliability, asset lifecycle management and continuous improvement.

• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and manage external contractors.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Engineering and Maintenance Strategy Development.

• Asset Reliability and Lifecycle Management.

• Preventative and Predictive Maintenance.

• Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM).

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Failure Analysis.

• Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering.

• Maintenance Planning and Shutdown Management.

• Plant Performance Monitoring and OEE.

• Capital Project and Budget Management.

• Engineering Governance and Statutory Compliance.

• Contractor and Vendor Management.

• Strong leadership, analytical and stakeholder management skills.