Most engineering job adverts say the same things. Great team. Fast-paced environment. Competitive salary. You've read them all.
So let's skip that and tell you what we actually saw when we visited this site.
A fully stocked spares room. A proper workshop. An Engineering Coordinator whose entire job is to make your life easier. A maintenance team that does its own installs and projects - no farming everything out to contractors.
Kit that's no older than five years: Brillopak, Urschel, Proseal, brand new multi-head weighers. A production team setting up ten minutes before shift start. And not a single breakdown during the time we were on site.
Half the site is chilled, which - depending on the time of year - is either a bonus or a genuine perk.
The honest question we asked ourselves walking out was: why aren't more places like this?
This is a prepared fresh vegetable manufacturer supplying major UK retailers. Family-owned from the start, still farming today. The agricultural roots are real - and so is the investment in engineering.
What you'll actually be doing
You'll be one of the shift engineers keeping a 24/7 operation running. That means planned and reactive maintenance across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems - but it also means getting involved in CI projects, root cause analysis, and supporting installs.
This isn't a place where engineers just fix things and wait for the next call.
In practice, that looks like:
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PPM scheduling, routine checks and calibrations across a wide range of modern equipment
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Root cause analysis - finding the problem, not just the symptom
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Leading improvement projects and driving measurable performance gains
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Managing contractors when they are brought in, making sure everything's done properly
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Ongoing training and development - this business takes it seriously
What you'll need
A multi-skilled engineering apprenticeship - Level 3 electrical/mechanical maintenance, engineering diploma, that kind of thing. FMCG chilled experience is strongly preferred; shift engineer background is ideal.
If you're the sort of engineer who takes pride in a well-run site and finds it genuinely frustrating when things aren't done properly - you'll fit in here.
The package
Up to £47,031 basic, plus a night shift premium of around £1,770 per annum. 4-on 4-off, days and nights. On top of that:
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5% matched pension
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Life assurance at 4x salary
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8 weeks company sick pay
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Health cash plan + 24/7 GP line
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Performance bonus based on business results
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Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
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Buy holiday scheme - up to 5 extra days
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Free EV charging on site
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Reward Gateway (full cover)
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Monthly fruit drops, food vans, free hot drinks, community fridge - the small stuff that adds up
Interested?
If what you've read reflects the kind of place you've been looking for - or you want to ask a question before committing to anything - call us on 01780 480 530 or drop a note to [email protected].
