Engineering Manager (m/w/d)

About Kerry

About the role

This key position provides guidance and direction to the engineering department. The Engineering Manager oversees matters related to the engineering budget, site capital planning, capital project identification, process optimisation, energy management, and maintenance delivery on site. The role also includes ensuring that all local, national, and regional — or KERRY EMEA — compliance requirements are consistently met and maintained.

This is a full‑time position, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 16:30, based at Kerry Wittstock (Heiligengrabe). 

Key responsibilities

QSHE & Compliance

Oversees the application of Kerry QSHE policies and standards across the engineering department and external service providers.
Guides the development, implementation, and upkeep of engineering statutory and compliance requirements at local, national, and regional levels. Ensures equipment and processes operate within safe design limits to avoid risks to people, the public, or Kerry property.

Engineering Operations

Oversees site engineering activities, including capital planning, project identification, process optimisation, energy management, and maintenance delivery.
Ensures a comprehensive preventative maintenance programme is in place and completed on time and within budget, covering reliability, quality, food safety, health and safety, environmental needs, and legal compliance.
Provides direction to the engineering team and applies technical expertise to resolve issues, implement modifications, and support NPI needs to maintain high‑quality output.
Develops the site engineering budget for approval and manages costs to meet approved targets.
Reviews the criticality of plant, equipment, and systems and adjusts engineering strategies to maintain efficient operations.
Oversees the spare‑parts holding policy to ensure optimal stock levels.
Monitors predefined KPI targets.
Ensures engineering standards and SOPs are updated and developed as required.

People & Talent

Manages recruitment and selection of diverse, high‑quality talent and ensures a positive onboarding experience. Conducts regular performance and development discussions.
Builds effective teams with a strong collective identity, encouraging engagement and empowerment to achieve common goals.
Develops internal talent and aligns career development plans with succession planning and organisational aims. Designs and delivers technical training programmes.
Maintains training records and plans.
Clarifies job expectations and aligns team and role‑specific performance standards.
Completes accurate assessments of team and member strengths and development needs.
Advances team and organisational vision and purpose through clear communication and purposeful engagement that motivates action.

Qualifications and skills

Qualifications & Experience

Degree in Process, Manufacturing, Engineering, or another process‑based engineering discipline.

A few years’ experience in a large‑scale process industry (food sector desirable).

Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.

Strong team‑guidance and employee‑engagement capabilities.

Ability to apply engineering methods in practical settings.

Experience in team development.

Solid business insight and ability to work effectively with manufacturing functions.

Very good English and German, both spoken and written. 

Technical Knowledge

Experience and knowledge in:

Automation and process‑control technologies, including food‑industry applications.

Asset‑care methods and related technologies.

Energy‑management methods and frameworks.

Process‑engineering techniques.

Project‑management methods and frameworks.

Procurement and budget management.

Regulatory compliance.

Food‑safety compliance.

Industrial services and utilities, including:

Compressed air

Skills

Team development and coordination.

Negotiation and change‑management capability.

Strong organisational skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication.

Demonstrated ability to coach and develop team members.