Engineering Manager

Location: Essex (commutable from Braintree, Chelmsford, Harlow, Bishop’s Stortford)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Market 36 Recruitment are currently recruiting for an Engineering Manager on behalf of our client, a specialist chemical manufacturing business based in Essex. This is a key leadership role within a highly regulated production environment, requiring a balance of hands-on engineering knowledge and strong team leadership capability.

Main Purpose of the Role

To lead and manage all engineering activities on site, ensuring the efficient operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of plant and equipment. The role will support operational performance, reliability, and safety across the business while leading a small engineering team.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site engineering function, ensuring high standards across all maintenance and engineering activities

• Ensure plant and equipment operate efficiently to maximise uptime and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

• Oversee and manage planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules

• Ensure all maintenance work is completed and recorded accurately

• Support and lead installation, commissioning, and optimisation of new plant and equipment

• Work closely with Production and other departments to minimise downtime and improve performance

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations within a chemical/process environment

• Monitor engineering KPIs and provide regular performance reporting

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the engineering team

• Support project work including equipment specification and risk assessments

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the site

• Assist with engineering budgets and cost control

• Promote a proactive and preventative maintenance culture

• Contribute to wider site and operational strategy

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Proven experience within a chemical, process, or highly regulated manufacturing environment

• Strong hands-on engineering background (mechanical or electrical)

• Previous experience in a management or team leadership role

• Experience managing PPM systems and engineering projects

• Strong understanding of health & safety within a process or hazardous environment

• Excellent problem-solving and organisational skills

• Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally

• Engineering qualification (Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering preferred)

Working Pattern & Benefits

Hours: Monday to Friday, full-time

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Pension (3% employee / 5% employer)

• Life insurance (up to 4x salary)

• Permanent health insurance (up to 75% salary after qualifying period)

• Private medical and travel insurance

• Annual performance-related bonus (non-contractual)

• 1 additional volunteering day per year

Salary: Competitive (dependent on experience)

Market 36 Recruitment Ltd cover a range of sectors including Commercial, Industrial, Engineering, HR & Finance and IT. This vacancy is being advertised by Market 36 Recruitment Ltd. We operate as an Employment Business for temporary roles and as an Employment Agency for permanent roles.