Job Description

Brakes are currently recruiting for a Head of Engineering to join the team on a full time, permanent basis and will report to the Director of Engineering, Environment, Fleet & Property.

This role is offering a home-based contract, however regular weekly travel will be required to any of our 40 depots located throughout the UK so you must be comfortable travelling with occasional overnight stays. 

As the Head of Engineering, it is your responsibility to develop and implement the Group Engineering Strategy. The strategy will cover engineering standards required to facilitate continuous improvement in asset reliability, engineering compliance, capital delivery and people development to underpin Sysco GB’s maintenance excellence journey.

The role is expected to identify and implement best practices in all aspects of engineering from both internal and external to Sysco GB to drive consistent approaches across sites, including investment in people and equipment. Key requirement of the role is to develop the existing people framework to improve capability and support to ensure the delivery of the maintenance excellence journey.

The role requires a significant amount of influencing both internally and externally, working with: Senior Management, Supply Chain Leadership team, Group Legal, Group Technical, Site General Managers, Operations Managers, Technical Managers and Facilities Managers and key external bodies such as equipment suppliers, OEMs and maintenance providers.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Engineering strategy development and deployment across the extended Supply Chain structure.
• Development of engineering policies and performance standards, and their consistent deployment through all engineering activities.
• Ensure the systems, tools and procedures are in place to ensure all aspects of Engineering meet legal & company requirements
• Ensure that the facilities management agenda delivers a step change in the compliance standards across the group.
• Drive continuous improvement through the development and implementation of reliable asset care programmes to ensure reliable, fit for purpose assets, operating at optimal cost.
• Responsible for engineering performance across Supply Chain including process engineering, maintenance spend optimisation and best practice share in line with asset care requirements.
• Work with procurement to support delivery of the capital and reliability agendas across Sysco GB through standardisation of R&M cost base, contracts and key supplier databases.
• Support the development and shaping for sustainability, resource conservation and environmental policies.
• Responsible for development and delivery of capital plan for maintenance and infrastructure across Sysco GB
• Responsible for the maintenance capital plans including budgets and rolling 3 Year plans.
• Responsible for Project Management resources (internal and external) and methodologies to deliver the maintenance agenda
• Support the Supply Chain agenda by successfully identifying and implementing new technology that will assist continuous improvement and supply chain development.
• Accountable for engaging with suppliers to build OEM partnerships to support the successful delivery of the capital and reliability agendas.
• Development of the engineering organisational design and capability to meet the on-going needs of Sysco GB through standardised structures, apprenticeships and development programmes.
• Advise Sysco GB as required on all engineering, operational and project related issues both potential and live to ensure Company standards, expectations and commitments are achieved.

About you:

To be successful in this role you must be a Qualified/Chartered Engineer (Chemical/ Electrical/ Mechanical) with a relevant degree (or equivalent) with demonstrable industry experience from an FMCG/ Logistics operation, preferably within a high-volume environment in a senior leadership role of site or technical function. As the Head of Engineering, you will possess strong project management skills with experience of capital projects up to at least £5m and of managing more than one project at a time. You’ll be highly motivated individual who champions breakthrough ideas and initiatives as well as the challenge of continuous improvement and value engineering required for project delivery and be business and commercially aware with financial management experience. You will be a natural leader with a strong, broad-based engineering/compliance management background with experience of site/building services and equipment that supports logistics operations and the understanding of key engineering related legislation, and ability to lead Engineering related compliance. Utilising your continuous improvement knowledge and experience in reliability / engineering improvement programmes you will have the ability to identify and engage key stakeholders as well as ability to lead and motivate multi-faceted teams. Combined with strong analytical and planning skills you will be a strategic thinker with ability to influence at all levels and be business and commercially minded with financial management experience. The key to this role is someone who has significant experience of people leadership across a multi-site environment that is under strategic change.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• Company car or car allowance of £8,000 per annum
• Pension scheme
• Family private medical healthcare cover
• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, with option to purchase additional holidays + bank holidays
• Huge discounts on all sorts of lovely food and award-winning products through our staff shop
• Discounts on Cinema tickets, shopping and earn cashback on purchases through Sodexo.
• Recognition awards and Incentives
• Real career opportunities - being part of Sysco, the world’s leading foodservice business, opens up a world of possibility

Additional Information

At Brakes everyone is welcome. We don’t want you to ‘fit our culture’ we want you to help define it and we actively celebrate the unique talents of each and every colleague. We don’t just look at your CV, we’re more focused on who you are and your potential. As part of our values, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone has a voice, is appreciated and has the same opportunities. We work hard to ensure that everyone feels part of our business, as we care for one another and connect the world through food and trusted partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that everyone belongs and thrives at Brakes and we recognise that Brakes can only thrive when everyone feels they belong. We'll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our resourcing team who will be happy to support you.