We’re looking for an experienced Interim Engineering Manager to join a well-established food manufacturing site in Trafford Park, Manchester on an initial 3-month contract.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who can step in quickly, bring calm authority, and help drive performance, engagement, and team discipline in a fast-paced production environment.

This role is ideal for a confident engineering leader with strong food manufacturing experience who enjoys balancing day-to-day operational delivery with people leadership and continuous improvement.

Role Overview

You’ll lead the engineering function across a busy, high-volume site, ensuring production equipment and building services remain reliable, compliant, and ready to support operational demands. Working closely with production and site leadership, you’ll help improve maintenance standards, strengthen team behaviours, and create momentum across a technically skilled engineering team.

You’ll be joining at a time where your ability to assess, prioritise, and influence quickly will make a real impact.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and support the engineering team, setting clear expectations and maintaining strong day-to-day standards.

• Oversee reactive and planned maintenance activity to minimise downtime and protect operational performance.

• Take a practical approach to problem-solving across electrical, mechanical, and site services issues.

• Drive engagement, accountability, and positive team behaviours across the function.

• Work collaboratively with production and senior stakeholders to support site priorities.

• Ensure safe working practices, compliance, and engineering discipline remain front and centre.

• Identify and support improvement opportunities that enhance reliability, efficiency, and team effectiveness.

About you

We’d like to hear from you if you have:

• Previous experience as an Engineering Manager or similar senior engineering leader within food manufacturing.

• A proven track record of hitting the ground running in interim or turnaround environments.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, support, and develop others.

• A collaborative, approachable style and the confidence to lead from the front.

• Experience improving team culture, behaviours, and engagement.

• Solid knowledge of maintenance systems, production equipment, and site services in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Contract details

• Location: Trafford Park, Manchester.

• Contract: Initial 3 months.

• Start: Immediate availability preferred.

• Working pattern: Monday to Friday, full-time.

• Hybrid working: 4 days onsite, Friday working from home during summer arrangements.

• Status: Outside IR35.

• Day rate: Competitive, depending on experience

If you’re an experienced food manufacturing engineering leader available now, this is a great opportunity to make a visible impact in a short space of time. Please send a message or comment below to start the conversation.