Head of Engineering and Projects

Our international manufacturing client is a long-established manufacturing business based in Sheffield. They are seeking an experienced and professionally qualified Head of Engineering and Projects.

Role Overview

• Effective leadership of the engineering function and capital project portfolio to support safe, reliable and efficient operations.
• Develop the engineering strategy, strengthen asset reliability and deliver investment projects that improve capacity, product quality, productivity and environmental performance.
• Work closely with Operations, Health and Safety, Quality, Finance and Procurement to translate business priorities into practical engineering solutions, with clear accountability for technical standards, expenditure and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a prioritised engineering and capital investment roadmap aligned with business objectives, asset condition and operational risk.
• Set engineering standards for plant, equipment, utilities, automation and infrastructure, ensuring consistent technical governance across the agreed site portfolio.
• Provide technical leadership for relevant metals processing equipment, such as melting and casting plant, furnaces, rolling mills, extrusion presses, heat treatment equipment, cutting and finishing lines, and material handling systems.
• Assess equipment obsolescence, capacity constraints and opportunities for modernisation, process improvement and automation.
• Maintain effective engineering documentation, including drawings, specifications, asset records and controlled technical changes.

Asset reliability and maintenance

• Lead the maintenance and reliability strategy, balancing preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance according to asset criticality.
• Improve plant availability and reduce unplanned downtime through structured root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions.
• Oversee use of the computerised maintenance management system, maintenance planning, backlog control and critical spare parts arrangements.
• Plan shutdowns and major overhauls with Operations, ensuring appropriate resources, contractor controls and safe return to service.
• Ensure maintainability, accessibility and whole-life cost are considered in equipment selection and project design.

Capital projects and investment delivery

• Lead projects from feasibility and business case development through design, procurement, installation, commissioning and operational handover.
• Define project scope, specifications, budgets, schedules, acceptance criteria and expected benefits, securing approval through agreed governance processes.
• Manage the project portfolio, including resource allocation, dependencies, risks, change control and progress reporting.

Safety, environmental performance and compliance

• Champion safe engineering practices and ensure safety is embedded in equipment design, maintenance activities and project delivery.
• Work with competent specialists to identify and meet applicable legal, regulatory and company requirements for plant and engineering activities.
• Ensure robust arrangements for engineering risk assessment, machinery safeguarding, safe isolation, permits to work and contractor management.
• Maintain arrangements for required plant inspections, examinations and timely completion of remedial actions.

People leadership and financial management

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering and projects team, with clear responsibilities, effective communication and a culture of accountability.
• Build technical capability through training, knowledge sharing, succession planning and appropriate apprenticeship or graduate development opportunities.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an individual who is:

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing or another relevant engineering discipline, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
• Substantial engineering leadership experience in metals processing or a comparable asset-intensive manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience delivering capital projects involving production plant, equipment installation and commissioning in an operational industrial setting.
• Strong understanding of maintenance strategy, asset reliability, engineering risk management and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, external contractors and equipment suppliers.

Skills & Experience

• Direct experience with the company's principal metals, processing routes and production equipment.
• Recognised project management qualification, such as APM, PRINCE2 or PMP, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with industrial automation, control systems, condition monitoring and manufacturing data systems.
• Experience delivering energy efficiency, decarbonisation or environmental improvement projects.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, overall equipment effectiveness and structured problem-solving methods.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: ££55,000 - £60,000 per annum, depending on experience, qualifications, and relevant background. In addition, the role includes:

• Company pension scheme
• Health scheme
• Company mobile phone and laptop

Shillito Group is a specialist recruitment and executive search partner, working with ambitious businesses to secure high-impact talent across commercial and engineering markets. Our reputation is built on deep expertise, trusted relationships and delivering results that go beyond the brief.