Based at our contemporary head office and distribution centre on the outskirts of Preston, James Hall & Co. Ltd. have been established for over 150 years proudly serving communities across the north of England as supplier and distributor to over 450 SPAR stores.
We are proud to be one of the biggest employers in Lancashire with over 4000 colleagues who represent our core values of passion, enterprise, and family every single day.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of work: 38 hours per week
Location: James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR Distribution Centre, Bowland View, Preston, PR2 5QT
Salary: £44,000.00 / £22.29ph
About the Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and skilled Food Process Maintenance Engineer to join our Maintenance Department. You will play a vital role in ensuring the operational safety and efficiency of our distribution site by delivering a wide range of maintenance tasks. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a varied, hands-on environment and enjoys working as part of a committed team.
Here’s What You Can Expect to be Doing
Your main responsibility will be to ensure that all food process maintenance tasks falling under the responsibility of James Hall & Co. Ltd. are completed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with current Health & Safety guidelines and Food Hygiene compliance standards.
You will work across a variety of systems and settings, ensuring that issues are promptly resolved and that all maintenance operations support smooth business performance. You will also play a key part in the company’s Emergency On-Call service to provide business continuity outside of regular working hours when required.
- Conducting reactive maintenance to address urgent issues or breakdowns across (and not limited to) various food processing assets, in varied applications, such as Fresh Meat Goods, Sandwich production, Bakery plant, Dairy production.
- Completing planned and preventative maintenance (PPM) tasks to ensure assets and facilities remain in optimal condition and to minimise the risk of disruption.
- Working across domestic, commercial, and industrial premises within our distribution sites portfolio, providing hands-on repairs and maintenance to support site operations.
- Conducting routine inspections and identifying opportunities for improvement or repair, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety and hygiene requirements.
- Maintaining accurate records of all maintenance activities using Microsoft Office 365 tools, including updating job sheets, maintenance logs, and reports.
- Collaborating with other team members, contractors, and site colleagues to ensure coordinated delivery of works and effective communication on site.
- Participating in the Emergency On-Call rota to provide essential support outside of regular hours when required.
A Few Things About You
- Demonstrate honesty, punctuality, and commitment to your role and responsibilities.
- Possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Have basic IT skills to confidently operate Microsoft Office 365 for reporting and documentation.
- Show strong organisational abilities and the capacity to manage and prioritise a varied workload.
- Hold a valid, clean UK driving licence — occasional travel between sites may be required.
- Hold a relevant Engineering qualification suitably applied to food processing maintenance, or related FMCG applications.
- A keen eye for improvement with an excellent practical skillset.
- Be confident and experienced working within domestic, commercial, and industrial environments.
- Have a flexible approach to working times, including the willingness to participate in the on-call rota and occasionally work outside regular hours.
Why Join Us?
James Hall & Co. Ltd. have one simple vison: to still be in business in another 50 years!
To make this vision possible we need the best talent to join us on our journey. We are a family company and believe that if we look after our people, they will look after us.
Loyalty Pay - Celebrate your work anniversary with a little extra! You’ll earn an additional £0.25 per hour over the financial year, with the hourly amount increasing the longer you stay with us. Your total is paid as a lump sum in the month following your anniversary.
20% Staff Discount - Enjoy 20% off your shopping in our company-owned SPAR stores — perfect for those everyday essentials and treats.
Annual Leave- Start with a generous 30 days of annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays. Entitlement increases with length of service, rewarding your continued commitment.
Health & Wellbeing - All colleagues can access our on-site registered nurses and physiotherapist at Bowland View for confidential support. We also run a year-round programme of health and wellbeing initiatives covering physical, mental, and lifestyle topics.
Company Sick Pay - We offer a Company Sick Pay scheme to support you during periods of ill health, providing peace of mind when you need it most.
Pension & Life Insurance - You will be enrolled into the Nest pension scheme. After two years of service, you will also receive life insurance cover, offering added security for you and your loved ones.
Free Onsite Parking - All colleagues have access to free onsite parking, making your commute more convenient and cost-effective.
Learning & Development - Whether you're looking to build your career or gain new skills, our in-house team will support you with fully funded, accredited training and industry-recognised qualifications.
Grocery Aid Support - Access free, confidential, 24/7 support through Grocery Aid — offering expert advice and help on everything from mental health and financial concerns to legal issues and family support.
For more information about us and the benefits we offer, please head over to our careers page.
Please note if we receive a high number of applicants, we may close the advert early. We advise interested candidates to submit their applications promptly to avoid disappointment.
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