Engineering Manager

Company Overview

Panelto Foods is a privately owned Irish company established in 2004, producing a range of high‑quality contemporary sandwich breads for the UK and Irish retail and foodservice markets. Manufacturing is based in Longford from a highly automated, world‑class bakery.

As part of our continued growth and development, Panelto Foods is seeking to appoint an Engineering Manager to strengthen engineering leadership on site and support the future direction of the business.

 

Role Profile

The Engineering Manager will report directly to the Senior Operations & Engineering Manager and will be responsible for the management, direction, and coordination of engineering activities within their defined area of responsibility.

As a key member of the Engineering Management Team, the Engineering Manager will work collaboratively with other engineering leaders and cross‑functional teams to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the plant.

This role suits a trade‑qualified, hands‑on engineering leader with strong practical experience, capable of making sound technical decisions on the production floor while also providing structured leadership, planning, and people management within the engineering function.

The role includes the direct management of a team of engineers and external service contractors.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of engineering activities within the assigned area to ensure high levels of equipment availability, reliability, and performance
• Provide engineering support to ensure production volumes and efficiency targets are consistently achieved
• Prepare, manage, and control the engineering budget within the area of responsibility
• Own and manage the preventative maintenance (PM) programme for relevant production assets
• Ensure PM schedules, maintenance records, and handover sheets are maintained and kept up to date within the CMMS
• Lead, manage, and develop engineering staff through coaching, delegation, and regular performance reviews
• Ensure all engineering activities are carried out safely, with appropriate risk assessments, SOPs, permit‑to‑work systems, and training in place
• Lead by example in health and safety and actively participate in audits and compliance activities
• Manage service contractors, service visits, and service contracts, ensuring work is completed safely and effectively
• Maintain accurate engineering records to support Health & Safety, BRC, statutory inspections, and general compliance requirements
• Maintain accountability for engineering spares, contracts, and cost control
• Communicate effectively with Operations, Quality, and other departments to coordinate work activities and prioritise engineering tasks

 

Company Culture & Ways of Working

Panelto Foods promotes a strong team‑based culture built on safety, respect, accountability, and collaboration. The Engineering Manager will work as part of a supportive and experienced engineering and operations team and is expected to contribute positively through effective teamwork, open communication, and a practical, solution‑focused approach to problem‑solving.

 

Experience & Qualifications

• Trade‑qualified engineer (Mechanical, Electrical, Automation or similar) with strong, practical, hands‑on experience
• Third‑level qualification in Engineering or Engineering Management is advantageous, but not essential
• Proven experience working in a Food or Pharma manufacturing environment (strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated experience managing engineers and external engineering service contractors
• Strong planning, organisational, and budget management capability
• Proven track record in delivering continuous improvement initiatives
• Practical experience with Siemens S7 PLCs and fault‑finding in automated systems
• Experience using computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Strong working knowledge of high‑speed packing machinery
• Experience delivering energy efficiency or sustainability projects
• Working knowledge of TIG welding and stainless‑steel fabrication
• Knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems and steam generation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead teams and influence across functions

 

Key Attributes

• Hands‑on, practical engineering mindset
• Strong leadership and people‑management capability
• Calm, structured decision‑making under pressure
• High standards for safety, quality, and compliance
• Strong ownership, accountability, and results focus