Engineering & Reliability Manager

Job Overview
To manage the days-based engineering team, including Maintenance Engineers and Controls Engineers, ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of manufacturing equipment and automation systems. Reporting to the Engineering & Maintenance Site Lead, the role is responsible for the effective delivery of maintenance activities, technical support, reliability improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives to maximise equipment performance and support manufacturing operations.

Main Activities/Tasks

• Ensure effective planning, execution, and completion of preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximise equipment availability.
• Provide technical leadership and support for manufacturing, utilities, and facilities, ensuring engineering support meets production requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and optimise maintenance effectiveness.
• Lead reliability improvement activities including Root Cause Analysis, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions
• Develop maintenance strategies, PM programmes, asset care plans, and reliability initiatives to improve equipment lifecycle performance.
• Monitor KPIs including equipment uptime, PM compliance, maintenance backlog, downtime, MTBF and MTTR, identifying trends and implementing improvement plans.
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, change control, data integrity, validation requirements, and company engineering standards.
• Manage resources, work prioritisation, contractor activities, and maintenance planning to support site operational requirements.
• Provide technical expertise during equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and operational handover.
• Develop procedures, SOPs, maintenance documentation, and equipment records to ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Coach, develop, and performance manage engineering personnel, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Manage engineering-related investigations, deviations, CAPAs, and audit actions within agreed timescales.
• Support budget planning and control for maintenance activities, engineering services, spare parts, and reliability improvement initiatives.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation or related Engineering discipline.
• Proven experience leading engineering or maintenance teams (minimum 5 years) within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing preventative and corrective maintenance programmes.
• Working knowledge of GMP, Health & Safety, change control and engineering compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and CMMS.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience within pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing.
• Knowledge of reliability improvement techniques (RCA, FMEA, RCM).
• Knowledge of PLCs, SCADA or industrial automation systems.
• Chartered Engineer status or relevant management qualification.

Duration: Permanent
Location: Newry

Additional Information:
Applicants must be able to provide proof that they have a right to work in the UK 
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a Visa at this time.
This role is based on a site that produces penicillin and as such, would not be suitable for those with a penicillin allergy.

Benefits:

• Free life assurance
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme with 5% employer contribution
• Healthcare cash plan
• 32 days annual leave (increasing with length of service)
• Wedding leave
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity Pay
• Company Sick Pay
• Subsidised Canteen Facilities
• FREE On-site parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Tech Purchase Scheme
• Free Will-Writing Service
• Employee perks/discounts scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee well-being initiatives
• Employee recognition scheme
• Career development opportunities