Esterform Packaging | Seaham

Engineering the Circular Economy

Every day, millions of people use packaging that has been given a second life through recycling. Esterform represents a vital link in that journey, transforming recycled plastic into high-quality food-grade packaging and helping turn waste back into a valuable resource.

As part of the Biffa Group, Esterform plays a key role in the circular economy, combining manufacturing excellence, engineering innovation and sustainability to deliver products used by leading brands across the UK. If you're passionate about engineering, developing people and making a measurable impact on operational performance and sustainability, we'd like to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for an Engineering Manager to lead the engineering and maintenance function at our Seaham manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Site Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, compliant, reliable and cost-effective operation of all plant, equipment and infrastructure across the site.

This is a key leadership role with responsibility for engineering strategy, maintenance performance, asset reliability, engineering compliance, contractor management and capital project delivery. You will lead and develop the engineering team while driving continuous improvement in safety, operational performance and maintenance effectiveness.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the engineering function to maintain a safe, compliant and high-performing working environment.
• Developing and implementing maintenance strategies that maximise asset reliability and operational performance.
• Leading, coaching and developing the engineering team to build capability and engagement.
• Managing maintenance planning, work management systems and contractor activities.
• Ensuring engineering compliance and the effective delivery of engineering improvement and capital projects.
• Managing engineering budgets, maintenance expenditure, stores and asset lifecycle activities to support efficient operations.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an engineering leader with experience managing maintenance, engineering or technical teams within a manufacturing, production, process, utilities, military or similarly complex operational environment.

You will be comfortable leading people, managing risk, driving performance and delivering safe, reliable operations through effective planning, strong leadership and continuous improvement.

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in Mechanical, Electrical or Multi-Skilled Engineering, or equivalent engineering training and experience.
• Experience leading engineering, maintenance or technical teams in an operational environment.
• Experience planning and coordinating maintenance, engineering activities or asset management programmes.
• Experience managing safety, compliance and engineering risk.
• Experience managing contractors, resources and budgets.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Experience within manufacturing, production, process, packaging, FMCG, utilities or military engineering environments.
• Experience developing preventative and predictive maintenance programmes.
• Experience using CMMS or other work management systems.
• Experience delivering engineering improvement or capital projects.
• HNC, HND or Degree in an engineering discipline.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent qualification.
• Professional registration (EngTech, IEng or CEng), or willingness to work towards registration.

Why Join Biffa?

At Biffa, you'll join an organisation committed to transforming the way resources are managed in the UK. You'll have the opportunity to lead a critical function within a growing manufacturing business, influence site performance, develop engineering capability, and contribute directly to a more sustainable future.

We offer a competitive salary, bonus opportunity, pension scheme, life assurance, employee benefits package and ongoing opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Dedicated to Diversity

Being inclusive is core to our culture at Biffa. We believe different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are essential to creating a workplace where everyone can succeed. We are committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve and welcome applications from all backgrounds.