Engineering Manager

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About Us

If you're a plant-loving people-person who's got what it takes to build a brilliant working environment, then we want to meet you. But first, a bit about us...

We're a full-scale, energy-saving, B-Corp certified, sustainably powered vertical farm. We're on a mission to transform the farming system forever, so that everyone can afford tasty nutritious food, that doesn't cost the earth. Literally.

In other words: we boldly grow where no one has grown before. Our state-of-the-art salad leaves are made possible by an incredible team of rocket scientists (see what we did there?), engineers, leaf whisperers, and a root network of fabulous people. Which brings us onto you...

Your Role:

The role of the Engineering Manager is to lead and develop the site engineering team to achieve targeted levels of performance, customer satisfaction, and quality standards and ensure that health, safety and environmental standards are in line with statutory requirements. Ensure a structured and systematic approach to capital procurement projects ensuring specified installation on time and within budget. To create an environment of continuous improvements, both in Engineering performance and people.

The role would suit an Engineering Manager with a background in FMCG, who enjoys working in a scaling environment, and would allow you to work on machinery & technology at the cutting edge of vertical farming, allowing us to make a positive and sustainable impact on the food industry and environment. This is a great opportunity for someone to lead and shape the Engineering function here at GrowUp to support the scaling growth, and make a significant difference to our operations on site.

This role is Monday - Friday, and based at our main site, Pepperness, located near to Sandwich, Kent.

Engineering Responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement the relevant Engineering procedures and SOP to support the operations and food safety and quality system.
• Ensure all current and new equipment complies with relevant legislation across; quality control, food safety, allergen cross contamination and specific customer audit requirements.
• Closely monitor production downtime, and proactively drive improvements in production performance, reducing downtime, and ensuring continuous improvement measures are in place to improve this year upon year.
• Lead on the factory acceptance testing of the plant, and coordinate the engineering teams participation in the EPC Contractor's commissioning of the facility.
• Effectively manage the engineering budget, to make sure budget targets are continually adhered to.
• Develop and implement a fault finding and maintenance strategy & schedule for the team, to ensure that all machinery and equipment on the farm is undergoing proactive maintenance on a regular basis to minimise downtime.
• Support and contribute to all customer/third party visits and audits and support relevant teams to improve audit standards.
• Work closely with the Projects team on site regarding the ongoing construction and fit out of the farm, and on any construction projects where they may need support or input from the Engineering team.

Team Responsibilities:

• Build, lead and develop the Engineering team, providing regular one to one support, and proactively developing knowledge within the team.
• Ensure all Engineering staff are fully trained, competent, and aware of Company Health and Safety, Food Safety, Quality, Environment, Security, Hygiene policies and procedures.
• Carry out regular performance reviews, including annual appraisals and review and revise job descriptions (JDs) as appropriate.
• In conjunction with the HR department lead in recruitment of any Engineering vacancy.
• Plan any training requirements to meet individual and business needs within determined budget.
• Ensure all members of the team as well as contractors follow the Company's hygiene and good manufacturing practices.
• Carry out regular team briefings.
• Communicate performance information and changes in policy, personnel and general information to the team.

Health and Safety and Food Safety:

• Promote a safety culture across the site working with the EHS Officer & Senior Management on safety related policies and procedures. Ensuring that all health & safety requirements are met by everyone within the team & working in production areas.
• Meet all personal and role responsibilities as required under the Company Health and Safety at work policy and proactively promote our Safety-first Culture.
• Ensure the correct use of any equipment or PPE provided.
• Carry out & promote that your team to do regular Health and Safety walks, observations and audits on the shop floor and surrounding areas and carry out any investigations required.
• Proactively manage any workplace accidents ensuring full investigations are undertaken within 1 hour of the incident taking place.

Requirements

• An Engineer with an HNC, HND, time-served apprenticeship or foundation/bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.

• Experience in FMCG/food manufacturing, you will be used to working within a commercially challenging, results driven and fast-paced environment.
• Optimisation, you will have experience in systems development, automation of process, factory design and the development of maintenance schedules for equipment and machinery.
• Team management, the ideal candidate should demonstrate strong leadership abilities, including the capacity to inspire and guide team members, make sound decisions and effectively manage projects, leading by example. This will include setting performance criteria, and assessing & managing team members performance, supporting with training where needed.
• Project Management, the successful candidate should have strong project management skills, including the ability to plan, execute and oversee projects effectively. This includes; developing project plans, schedules, and budgets, assigning and setting priorities, and managing resources to mitigate risks.

• Troubleshooting & Problem solving, we require a candidate with exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to analyse complex issues, identify root causes, and develop innovative solutions. Applying critical thinking and a systematic approach to overcome challenges.
• Stakeholder communication & relationships, you will be liaising with stakeholders across the company and at all levels, you must have strong communication skills and the confidence to communicate effectively across teams. You must build strong relationships internally and externally with any suppliers/contractors we work with.
• Resource & Cost Management, working closely with procurement to ensure we have all the equipment & parts required for the site, working proactively, and ensuring we are tracking alongside the budget.

Benefits

• Annual bonus based on company, team and individual performance
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays'
• Paid volunteering days
• Private medical insurance with Aviva
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Pension (employer contribution 5%)
• Employee benefits programme with Bravo Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Income Protection Insurance

Our team is the most valuable part of our business - our success is defined by the hard-working, brilliant and enthusiastic people we employ. Our recruitment process and employment decisions are based on our business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability status. We don't tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and we encourage all suitable applicants to apply for open positions.