Job Description

Lubborn Cheese is a leading supplier of high quality British brie, camembert and goats cheese. We produce 2500 tonnes of cheese per year and our products are available across the majority of retailers as well as many food service outlets. We pride ourselves in ensuring best product for our consumers which has been recognised over the years through numerous awards and resulted in continuous growth of the business.

As part of the Lactalis Group, we have 240 production sites in 47 countries so there are plenty of opportunities to develop your career nationally or internationally.

We are currently looking for a highly motivated, experienced and enthusiastic Multi-Skilled Engineer to join the Engineering team, responsible for the daily maintenance of our packing and production equipment and site facilities.

The Engineering Role

Reporting to the Engineering and Projects Manager, you will carry out day to day maintenance and repair work across the site, performing planned and reactive maintenance on machinery and equipment. You will be able to capably diagnose and resolve mechanical and electrical faults efficiently with a keen eye for detail and continuous improvement opportunities. You'll have excellent communication skills and work closely with the different departments within the factory to ensure smooth operations and minimise downtime.

You will actively promote a positive health and safety culture at the site, identifying opportunities to improve safe ways of working on a continuous basis.

You'll be confident working in small teams, and working alone to meet site needs. You'll also be confident working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, and be able to identify which priority is key to operational success.

The role is normally based on a 4 on, 4 off shift pattern working 5am-5pm, or 6am-6pm, however some out of hours work may be required dependent on business needs. During peak times, the engineering team provide 24/7 coverage to the factory teams therefore flexibility is required. This role is based at the Lubborn Creamery site in Cricket St Thomas, just outside of Chard.

Key responsibilities:

Oversee the production process ensuring the efficient operation of cheese processing equipment, diagnosing and resolving issues promptly to minimise operational disruption.

Develop, implement, and optimize maintenance schedules for all machinery involved in the cheese production process, co-ordinating with the maintenance team to perform routine repairs on machinery and buildings ensuring optimal functionality and minimising downtime.

Keep detailed records of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and any modifications made, contributing to a comprehensive maintenance log.

Oversee and maintain control systems for automated processes, ensuring efficient and accurate operation

Balance workload and priorities to meet project deadlines, collaborating with other teams where necessary to streamline workflows.

Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and efficiency gains, implementing lean manufacturing principles to enhance overall productivity.

Our Ideal Candidate

This role is ideal for an experienced engineering professional who wants to actively contribute to the success and growth of one of the UK's largest manufacturers whilst committing to ongoing professional development on the way.

You will have demonstrable, practical engineering experience, ideally gained within an FMCG, or manufacturing environment, with qualifications in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.

You'll model the Lactalis values on site, and you'll be comfortable collaborating with multiple stakeholders and be proactively looking for the next step in efficiency and excellence.

Technical or Special Knowledge, Experience, Training, Qualifications and Competencies:

Essential

Strong communication skills, both written and oral, in our business language, English Strong problem-solving skills to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and process inefficiencies. Demonstrated experience in equipment maintenance, process optimization, and quality assurance in a production setting Well-practiced observational skills/Attention to detail required Experience working in a manufacturing environment, preferably in the food industry with a focus on cheese production. Exceptional time management and prioritisation skills Demonstrated proficiency in MS Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
Desirable

Familiarity with energy efficiency and sustainability practices. Pragmatic, problem solver who is solutions driven. Collaborative approach used to negotiating with stakeholders. Knowledge of automation and control systems, such as PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming. Familiar with the design and commissioning of new lines or equipment upgrades. Knowledge of Shire maintenance system would be a strong advantage.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From 50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Company events Company pension Employee mentoring programme Free flu jabs Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Paid volunteer time Sick pay
Work Location: In person