A leading manufacturing business in Co. Kildare is looking to appoint a Maintenance & Process Manager to lead both the site's maintenance function and its process optimisation activities.

This is a broad site-based engineering role combining maintenance leadership, plant reliability, process improvement and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Site Manager, you will work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to improve plant performance, equipment reliability, efficiency and product quality.

The role would suit an experienced Maintenance Manager, Engineering Manager, Maintenance & Reliability Manager, Engineering Lead or Senior Engineering professional with a strong background in manufacturing and a genuine interest in process and operational improvement.

The Role

You will take ownership of the site's maintenance strategy while also acting as a technical lead for process optimisation across manufacturing operations.

Key responsibilities will include:

Maintenance Leadership

Lead the site's maintenance function, ensuring equipment delivers agreed standards of availability, reliability and performance.
Manage and develop the maintenance team, including identifying training and capability requirements.
Oversee preventative, predictive and reactive maintenance activities.
Develop a proactive approach to maintenance, reliability and asset performance.
Own and continuously improve the site's CMMS, ensuring maintenance planning, records and schedules are effectively managed.
Monitor maintenance KPIs and identify opportunities to improve equipment performance and reduce downtime.
Manage the maintenance budget and support effective control of maintenance expenditure.
Ensure maintenance activities meet all relevant Health & Safety, Quality and regulatory requirements.
Lead reliability and maintenance improvement initiatives.
Support the development and implementation of capital projects and plant improvements.

Process Optimisation

Alongside the maintenance remit, you will act as a technical point of contact for manufacturing process performance.

Lead process and plant optimisation initiatives across production, filling, packing, utilities and raw material intake.
Troubleshoot operational and process issues and identify opportunities to improve plant performance.
Establish and monitor process performance standards and KPIs.
Analyse production and process data to identify trends, losses and improvement opportunities.
Work closely with Production and Quality to develop, trial and implement process improvements.
Use structured problem-solving and Root Cause Analysis to address recurring operational issues.
Support the implementation of process changes through the appropriate change control systems.
Provide technical support and guidance to production teams on process, automation and manufacturing systems.

Continuous Improvement & Technical Development

Identify and deliver continuous improvement projects across maintenance and manufacturing operations.
Apply Lean, Six Sigma, RCA and other structured improvement methodologies where appropriate.
Develop and maintain process documentation, SOPs and technical training materials.
Support the development and delivery of technical and process training for employees.
Help develop technical capability across maintenance and production teams.
Use data and operational insight to drive sustainable improvements rather than short-term fixes.

What are we looking for?

You will ideally have:

A third-level qualification in Engineering, Science or a related technical discipline.
Significant experience within a manufacturing, food, dairy, pharmaceutical or similarly regulated production environment.
Previous experience in a maintenance leadership, engineering management, supervisory or senior engineering position.
Strong understanding of maintenance strategy, equipment reliability and preventative maintenance.
Experience managing or leading maintenance teams.
Proven experience delivering process improvement, continuous improvement or plant optimisation initiatives.
Strong Root Cause Analysis and structured problem-solving skills.
Experience using data and operational KPIs to identify and deliver improvements.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience working with CMMS and/or manufacturing data systems.
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across Production, Quality, Engineering and other site functions.
A practical, hands-on approach to engineering and problem solving.

Experience with MES, automation systems, change control and GMP/quality management systems would be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is a broad engineering leadership position with responsibility for both keeping the plant running reliably and improving how it operates.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence maintenance strategy, equipment reliability, manufacturing processes and continuous improvement across the site, working closely with the Site Manager and wider operational leadership team.

Location: Ballitore, Co. Kildare
Working arrangement: Fully onsite

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