Central Plant (CPE) Engineering Manager

Forth Ports is one of the UK's largest and most dynamic port operator groups, playing a key role in connecting the UK with Europe and beyond. As a multimodal ports owner and operator, we are at the forefront of delivering innovative port-related services. With our recent pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero status by 2042, we are committed to sustainability and driving the expansion of the UK's renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind. Now is an exciting time to join our team as we embark on this transformative journey towards a greener future.

About this role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Central Plant Engineering Manager to lead the delivery of engineering operations across the port. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant maintenance, repair, and improvement of a wide range of port assets and infrastructure.

You will be accountable for the effective delivery of both planned and reactive maintenance activities, ensuring all statutory and mandatory requirements are met while maintaining high levels of asset availability to support operational demands across the business.

The role will provide oversight of engineering projects and third-party contractor activities, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the required standards. You will also lead the engineering response to operational incidents and emergencies, playing a critical role in maintaining business continuity and minimising disruption to port operations.

As a leader within the engineering function, you will be responsible for developing, motivating, and supporting engineering personnel, ensuring team capability, performance, and succession planning are aligned with both current and future business needs.

In addition, you will undertake any other duties as required by the line manager in support of departmental and organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Provide direct line management to CPE engineering supervisors, technicians, and support staff, setting priorities and driving performance.
• Develop workforce capability to meet current and future operational requirements (skills, competency, succession).
• Lead a high-performance culture aligned to operational reliability and efficiency outcomes.

Engineering Operations & Asset Reliability

• Lead and coordinate all engineering activities across CPE, ensuring effective deployment of resources and timely defect resolution.
• Maintain asset availability through efficient maintenance delivery and rapid response to failures.
• Drive continuous improvement in maintenance practices through structured performance analysis and targeted interventions.
• Provide engineering leadership during port incidents to minimise operational disruption.
• Lead contingency response and operational recovery for critical asset failures.

Maintenance Delivery & Quality Assurance

• Ensure all engineering works (in-house and contractor) are delivered on time and to required quality standards.
• Conduct inspections and audits of engineering works to ensure compliance and workmanship standards.
• Ensure work management processes, reporting standards, and asset data integrity are maintained.
• Ensure assets are returned to safe and operational condition following maintenance activities.

Planning & Work Management

• Develop and implement sustainable maintenance strategies aligned to asset lifecycle requirements.
• Ensure all statutory inspections and maintenance activities are completed within required timeframes.
• Oversee maintenance planning processes, including:
• Continuous optimisation of maintenance plans and job scopes
• Effective material and spares planning
• Prioritisation of planned and reactive work
• Scheduling of access windows for maintenance execution
• Ensure onboarding and integration of new assets into maintenance systems and plans.
• Analyse planned maintenance performance, addressing non-completion and improving plan adherence.

Systems, Data & Performance Management

• Establish and maintain robust asset and maintenance data to support decision-making.
• Systematically analyse performance data (availability, reliability, downtime, compliance) to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Translate data insights into actionable maintenance and operational improvements.
• Deliver accurate and timely performance reporting to stakeholders to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Maintain integrity and utilisation of asset management systems (e.g. Ultimo, Integra) and support team capability in their use.
• Ensure insurance inspection records are maintained and all defects are actioned promptly.

Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage third-party contractors to ensure safe, compliant, and timely delivery of engineering works.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external partners to coordinate maintenance and inspection activities.

What we're looking for

• Professional qualification in Engineering – Minimum HNC.
• Working towards Chartered Engineer level or with relevant experience in an engineering discipline.
• Demonstrable success at applying continuous improvement tools such as Lean, 6 Sigma and Kaizen.
• Experience of working within a regulated environment.
• Strong commercial and people focus.
• Proven ability to control spend.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to Inspire and lead change.
• Excellent communication skills including report writing.
• Working knowledge of Dock Regulations, HASAW, PUWER and LOLER regulations.

What Forth Ports can offer you

At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy

• A competitive salary
• Group Bonus
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
• Health promotion events and employee wellbeing initiatives to support your physical and mental wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free, confidential 24/7 telephone support for you and your family
• On-site Occupational Health Team with access to professional support and referrals to services such as counselling, physiotherapy and free flu jabs
• An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat-free alternative for all employees
• GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
• On-site free parking available for all employees
• Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
• Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays

We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter when submitting your application via this link.