Purpose of the Role
The Multi-Skilled Shift Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all production equipment and site services across both manufacturing sites.
The role involves carrying out planned preventative maintenance (PPM), responding to equipment breakdowns, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and maintaining critical utilities including steam, compressed air, electrical distribution, water systems, refrigeration, and mechanical production equipment.
This position plays a key role in maximising equipment uptime, supporting production performance, maintaining food safety standards, and ensuring compliance with all relevant health, safety, and engineering regulations.
Working Pattern
- Rotating two-shift system, Monday to Friday:
- Early Shift: 05:00 – 13:00
- Late Shift: 13:00 – 21:00
- Occasional weekend overtime as required by business needs.
- Engineering support provided across both bakery manufacturing sites.
- Participation in an out-of-hours call-out rota covering both locations.
Key Responsibilities
Maintenance & Reliability
- Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) activities in accordance with maintenance schedules.
- Support hygiene and production teams during planned maintenance activities.
- Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control system faults.
- Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns to minimise production downtime.
- Conduct root cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain accurate maintenance records using the site's Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
- Assist with equipment installations, upgrades, modifications, and commissioning activities.
Multi-Site Engineering Support
- Provide engineering support across both manufacturing sites.
- Travel between sites as required to support operational and maintenance priorities.
- Maintain consistent engineering standards, maintenance practices, and safety compliance across both locations.
- Support maintenance planning and resource allocation to meet business requirements.
- Assist with engineering projects, installations, and continuous improvement initiatives at either site.
- Work collaboratively with production and management teams to ensure continuity of operations.
Production Equipment Support
Maintain and troubleshoot a wide range of bakery manufacturing equipment, including:
- Mixers
- Dough handling systems
- Dividers and moulders
- Provers
- Ovens
- Conveyors
- Packaging equipment
- Automated handling systems
- Palletising equipment
Utilities & Site Services
Monitor, maintain, and support:
- Steam boilers and steam distribution systems
- Compressed air generation and distribution systems
- Electrical distribution systems
- Water supply and treatment systems
- Refrigeration systems
- Pumps, motors, and associated equipment
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Comply with all company health, safety, and environmental procedures.
- Follow safe systems of work and engineering best practices.
- Ensure compliance with food manufacturing standards and hygiene requirements.
- Complete risk assessments and permit-to-work documentation where required.
- Support statutory inspections and engineering compliance activities.
- Maintain high standards of housekeeping within engineering workshops and plant areas.
- Ensure all work is completed in accordance with relevant legislation, standards, and company policies.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and plant efficiency.
- Participate in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement projects.
- Recommend engineering solutions to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
- Support energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.
Communication
- Liaise effectively with Production, Quality, Hygiene, and Operations teams.
- Provide clear and detailed shift handovers.
- Communicate equipment status, maintenance requirements, and operational risks effectively.
- Escalate significant issues to the Engineering Supervisor or Head of Engineering as required.
Out-of-Hours Call-Out Responsibilities
- Participate in a rotating engineering call-out rota covering both sites.
- Respond to emergency breakdowns, utility failures, and critical plant issues outside normal working hours.
- Attend either site within agreed response times when required.
- Provide remote technical support where appropriate prior to site attendance.
- Restore critical services and production equipment safely and efficiently.
- Escalate major incidents to the Engineering Supervisor or Head of Engineering where necessary.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Time-served engineering apprenticeship or recognised engineering qualification.
- Multi-skilled engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong electrical and mechanical fault-finding skills.
- Experience working with:
- Three-phase electrical systems
- Motors and drives
- Pneumatic systems
- Steam systems
- Compressed air systems
- Automated production equipment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and electrical schematics.
- Good understanding of health and safety requirements within manufacturing environments.
- Competent IT skills and experience using CMMS or maintenance management systems.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Experience within bakery, food manufacturing, FMCG, or automated process industries.
- PLC fault-finding and diagnostics experience.
- Boiler operation and steam generation knowledge.
- 18th Edition Electrical Qualification.
- Food Safety or HACCP awareness training.
- IOSH or equivalent health and safety qualification.
- MEWP Operator Certificate.
Personal Attributes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Calm and effective under pressure.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proactive attitude towards reliability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work within a manufacturing environment.
- Comfortable working at height, in confined spaces, and around hot process equipment when authorised and required.
- Capable of lifting and handling equipment in accordance with manual handling procedures.
- Ability and willingness to travel between company sites during working hours and as part of the call-out rota.
- Flexibility to support operational requirements at either site as business needs dictate.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Equipment uptime and availability.
- Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).
- Mean Time to Repair (MTTR).
- Planned maintenance completion rate.
- Engineering response and resolution times.
- Health and safety compliance.
- Reduction in repeat equipment failures.
- Reliability and efficiency of site utility systems.
Benefits
- Company pension scheme
- Competitive holiday entitlement
- Call-out allowance
- Overtime opportunities
- Ongoing training and development
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Additional company benefits as applicable
Please note this will be a multi-site role.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Unfortunately we are not able to offer any form of sponsorship for this role.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £32,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Manston, Kent: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Diploma of Higher Education (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
