Head of Engineering

Location: Darlington and Leeds

Reporting to: Supply Chain Director

Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience

As Head of Engineering, you will lead the engineering function across our kitchen manufacturing operations, with responsibility for both maintenance and project delivery. You will play a critical role in ensuring our production facilities run efficiently, safely, and sustainably - while also driving forward capital investment and continuous improvement initiatives that support our growth and innovation goals.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary, car allowance and bonus scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance Cover
• Generous discounts: Up to 80% off our stunning kitchen furniture and products
• Flexible holidays: Buy up to five extra days with our holiday purchase scheme
• Health and wellbeing support: Access our virtual GP service and employee assistance platform 24/7
• Lifestyle perks: Cycle to work scheme and discounts with over 200 top brands through our benefits app
• Refer a friend scheme

What you’ll be doing:

• Create a high-performance engineering culture that supports operational excellence and innovation.
• Delivering reliable, well-maintained assets that enable consistent, high-quality kitchen manufacturing.
• Leading projects that add real value-whether through cost savings, capacity increases, or improved sustainability.
• Building strong cross-functional relationships and being a trusted partner to the wider business.
• Using insight and data to make smart, forward-thinking decisions that support long-term success.

Leadership and Strategy

• Define and deliver the engineering strategy aligned with operational and commercial objectives.
• Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and project managers.
• Champion a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Maintenance and Reliability

• Oversee all aspects of planned and reactive maintenance across manufacturing sites.
• Ensure machinery, plant, and infrastructure are maintained to the highest standards.
• Implement reliability-centred maintenance practices to reduce downtime and extend asset life.

Project Management

• Lead the delivery of engineering and capital projects, including new equipment installations, factory layout changes, and process improvements.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and stakeholder engagement from concept to completion.
• Ensure all projects meet safety, quality, and sustainability standards.

Operational Excellence

• Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to optimise manufacturing performance.
• Use data and KPIs to drive decision-making and identify opportunities for efficiency gains.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Who we’re looking for:

We’re looking for someone who’s strategic, collaborative, and ready to make a real impact. You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role within a manufacturing environment
• Strong track record in maintenance management, project delivery, and performance improvement
• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering (Chartered status desirable)
• Experience with lean manufacturing, TPM, or Six Sigma is a bonus
• A customer-centric mindset and commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to engage, motivate, and develop teams
• A strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into action
• Confidence to influence and challenge at senior levels, driving change and securing buy-in
• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment

You’ll thrive in this role by living and breathing our values — Care, Deliver, Inspire — and bringing our leadership behaviours to life every day:

• Build strong relationships, foster collaboration, and support the growth of others
• Communicate with impact, lead with purpose, and inspire those around you
• Make smart decisions, use data to drive action, and stay focused on continuous improvement
• Lead proactively, drive innovation, and execute strategy with sound judgement
• Deliver results through collaboration, customer focus, and high performance
• Engage and develop your team, creating a culture of trust, resilience, and growth

About Nobia
Nobia UK is part of Europe’s leading kitchen specialist, bringing together trusted brands like Magnet, Gower, and Commodore to design kitchens that truly work for life. With deep roots in British manufacturing and a bold vision for the future, we combine craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability to deliver exceptional products and experiences. Our teams are united by a shared purpose—to make everyday living easier and more inspiring—and driven by our values of Care, Deliver, and Inspire. Whether on the shop floor, in the showroom, or behind the scenes, we’re proud to build kitchens that bring people together.