Engineering Head (FMCG - Manufacturing)

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Medan

Keywords: collaborative, supportive leadership, continuous improvement, dependable, inclusive, training opportunities, knowledgeable, generous pensions contributions, flexible working opportunities

A leading FMCG organisation is seeking a Head of Engineering to oversee and nurture its engineering operations in Medan. This role offers you the opportunity to guide a talented team, drive operational excellence, and champion continuous improvement initiatives across a diverse manufacturing environment. With a rich history of delivering high-quality products to millions, this company is committed to expanding its reach both nationally and internationally. As Head of Engineering, you will play a pivotal part in ensuring optimal equipment reliability, safety, and productivity while collaborating with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and operational sustainability. The organisation values flexibility, professional growth, and supportive leadership, making it an ideal place for those who thrive in communal and inclusive environments.

• Take charge of daily engineering and maintenance operations within Indonesia’s largest FMCG manufacturer, ensuring maximum plant efficiency and equipment reliability.
• Lead impactful capital projects including plant expansion, automation, and process improvement initiatives that directly contribute to operational sustainability and business growth.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities, generous pension contributions, ongoing training programmes, and supportive leadership focused on your professional development.

What you'll do:

As Head of Engineering in Medan, you will be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding daily operations across a large-scale manufacturing facility. Your role will involve monitoring equipment performance metrics to identify areas for improvement while spearheading projects that expand capacity or introduce automation. You will work closely with various departments—such as Production, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Finance—to ensure that engineering solutions are aligned with organisational objectives. By establishing clear maintenance KPIs and reliability strategies, you will help drive operational excellence. Your day-to-day activities will include mentoring engineering teams through training programmes designed to foster knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving. Success in this position requires a commitment to continuous improvement initiatives that optimise energy usage and costs while maintaining strict adherence to safety standards. You will also play an integral part in supporting digitalisation efforts within the manufacturing environment.

• Oversee daily engineering and maintenance operations to ensure all machinery, utilities, and production equipment function reliably and efficiently according to operational standards.
• Monitor equipment performance closely and initiate strategies to reduce downtime while improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across multiple production lines.
• Lead or participate in technical projects such as equipment installation, plant expansion, automation upgrades, and process optimisation initiatives that enhance productivity.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts related to energy savings, cost optimisation, productivity enhancements, and operational efficiency throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Identify root causes of equipment failures by conducting thorough analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions that prevent recurrence.
• Support digitalisation and automation initiatives within manufacturing operations by integrating new technologies and systems for improved workflow.
• Establish robust equipment reliability strategies alongside maintenance KPIs to track progress towards operational targets.
• Collaborate extensively with Production, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Finance, and other departments to align engineering activities with broader business goals.
• Manage engineering teams by providing guidance, mentorship, training opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices in all engineering activities to maintain a safe working environment for all staff.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for the Head of Engineering position brings extensive experience from the manufacturing or FMCG sector—preferably within the beverage industry involving plastics processing. Your academic background should include a relevant degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Industrial Engineering. You have spent at least eight years honing your expertise in engineering management roles where you successfully led teams through complex projects involving maintenance systems optimisation and operational improvements. Your familiarity with ERP platforms like SAP enables you to streamline processes efficiently. In addition to technical proficiency with manufacturing equipment and automation systems integration, your strong interpersonal skills allow you to collaborate effectively across functions such as Production or Supply Chain. You are adept at analysing root causes behind equipment failures and implementing sustainable solutions that uphold safety standards. Your leadership style emphasises mentorship through training opportunities while fostering an inclusive environment where knowledge sharing thrives.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field is required for this role.
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in engineering or maintenance within manufacturing or FMCG industries with proven managerial exposure is essential.
• Experience working in FMCG or related sectors—especially the beverage industry with plastic processing exposure—is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability managing complex engineering projects including maintenance systems and operational improvement initiatives is crucial.
• Comprehensive understanding of manufacturing equipment operation, utilities management, automation systems integration, and maintenance management processes is expected.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or similar platforms is advantageous for streamlining workflows.
• Exceptional leadership skills combined with people management capabilities are necessary for nurturing team performance.
• Strong project management abilities coupled with advanced engineering analysis skills—particularly in mechanical or electrical disciplines—are vital for success.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills are needed for effective collaboration across departments.
• Commitment to safety standards along with experience implementing corrective actions following equipment failures is important.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as Indonesia’s largest FMCG manufacturer with a legacy dating back over seventy years. Its vision centres on making high-quality products accessible nationwide—and now globally—with more than 1200 SKUs spanning food & beverage, fabric care, household goods, and personal care categories. The company’s commitment to growth is evident through its successful market expansion into over 100 countries as well as strategic joint ventures that keep it competitive within the industry. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements tailored to support work-life balance alongside generous pension contributions that secure their future. Training programmes are regularly offered so staff can develop professionally under supportive leadership dedicated to nurturing talent. The workplace culture prioritises inclusivity by welcoming under-represented groups while encouraging collaboration among teams. Safety remains paramount throughout all operations; recruitment processes are transparent—free from any fees or charges—ensuring trustworthiness at every stage.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact as Head of Engineering within a thriving FMCG environment in Medan—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.