We’re working with a leading food manufacturing business that is seeking a skilled Engineer to join their established team at their Gainsborough site. This is a key operational role, responsible for maintaining and improving production assets to ensure the site runs safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
The Role
As part of the site’s Engineering team, you will play a vital role in delivering both reactive and proactive maintenance in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. You will support the day-to-day running of production, ensuring equipment reliability, minimising downtime, and contributing to continuous improvement projects.
Key Responsibilities
Reactive & Preventative Maintenance
• Respond quickly and effectively to unplanned breakdowns, diagnosing faults, identifying root causes, and implementing robust repairs to minimise production downtime.
• Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) in line with the site schedule, ensuring all work is completed to a high standard and accurately recorded.
• Monitor machine performance, identifying emerging faults and taking early action to prevent failures.
• Ensure all maintenance activity complies with site safety rules, permit-to-work systems, and food safety standards.
Equipment Installation & Commissioning
• Support the installation and commissioning of new plant, machinery, and services in line with engineering and production plans.
• Work alongside project teams to integrate new equipment smoothly into existing operations, ensuring minimal disruption to production.
• Assist in testing and validating new machinery, providing feedback on performance and potential improvements.
Continuous Improvement
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, reduce waste, and enhance production efficiency.
• Work closely with production colleagues to gather feedback, share engineering knowledge, and develop practical solutions to day-to-day challenges.
• Support initiatives to improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) through better machine performance, reduced breakdown frequency, and improved planned maintenance.
• Contribute to CI projects aimed at improving production flow, reducing downtime, or automating manual processes.
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Take responsibility for ensuring all work is carried out safely and in line with legislation, site procedures, and food safety standards.
• Manage risk assessments, permits to work, contractor inductions, and other documentation to ensure compliance and audit readiness at all times.
• Proactively report hazards, incidents, and near misses, escalating issues appropriately and supporting investigations.
• Keep accurate records of maintenance activity, certification, inspections, and corrective actions.
Collaboration & Communication
• Work in close partnership with production, technical, and operational teams to build strong working relationships.
• Provide technical support and guidance to colleagues, helping to build engineering awareness across the site.
• Communicate clearly during handovers, breakdowns, and planned work to ensure alignment between shifts and departments.
• Support training and development of colleagues where required.
About You
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
• Electrically qualified – City & Guilds / BTEC Level 3 in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• 18th Edition (or willingness to work towards).
• Proven experience working in a maintenance engineering role within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with PLC systems and control equipment.
• Knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, and basic welding techniques.
• Strong understanding of health and safety requirements, risk assessments, and safe systems of work.
• Competent with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage workload and prioritise effectively in a time-sensitive environment.
Personal Attributes:
• A proactive and hands-on engineer who enjoys solving problems and taking ownership.
• Collaborative, with the ability to build strong relationships across departments.
• Calm under pressure, with sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Committed to high standards of quality, safety, and operational performance.
• Keen to learn, develop, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
