Are you ready to keep one of the UK’s most advanced dairy sites running smoothly?
At Arla Foods Stourton, we're looking for a Senior Shift Engineer to provide technical leadership across one of the UK's most advanced dairy manufacturing facilities. Stourton is Arla's second-largest and most complex UK site, producing over 700 million litres of dairy products every year.
Following significant investment of more than £150 million into the site, we are expanding our engineering capability and looking for experienced engineers who can lead from the front, support colleagues and drive operational performance. The role offers the opportunity to act as the senior engineering presence on shift, solving complex faults, supporting continuous improvement and helping to develop engineering excellence across the site.
The position follows a 4 on 4 off shift pattern consisting of 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off.
How you will make an impact
- Lead engineering response to breakdowns, providing advanced fault finding and technical decision-making across highly automated production systems
- Support and guide Shift Engineers on shift, acting as the senior engineering point of contact within a team of five engineers.
- Diagnose and resolve electrical and mechanical faults across PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, filling machines, packers, cappers, conveyors and process systems.
- Deliver planned preventative maintenance activities while identifying opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency and asset performance.
- Champion health and safety standards, support engineering projects and contribute to future site investment and continuous improvement initiatives.
What will make you successful
You’ll be a time-served, apprentice-trained engineer with a recognised engineering qualification such as NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, ONC, HNC or equivalent.
Experience within FMCG, food, dairy, brewing, beverage, bakery, packaging or other high-volume manufacturing environments will be essential. You’ll have strong fault-finding capabilities and experience working with electrical and mechanical systems including PLCs, motors, safety circuits, inverters, hydraulics, pneumatics, pumps and gearboxes. Experience with Siemens S7 fault finding and automated manufacturing equipment would be highly advantageous
Success in this role will come from your ability to make sound engineering decisions under pressure, communicate effectively across teams, support colleagues on shift and drive a proactive approach to maintenance and continuous improvement. You’ll combine strong technical expertise with a collaborative mindset and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational performance.
What do we offer?
We’re committed to your growth and development, offering internal and external training opportunities.
- competitive salary
- 24 days holiday
- matched pension contributions up to 6%
- life assurance
- flexible benefits
Shape the Future of Dairy
Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.
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Senior Shift Engineer, Arla - Leeds employer: Arla Group
Arla is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Felinfach Whey Processing Factory in West Wales, where technology and innovation drive production performance. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide access to both internal and external development opportunities, alongside competitive benefits such as 26 days' holiday and matched pension contributions. Join a collaborative team that values your contributions and supports your career progression in the thriving dairy industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Shift Engineer, Arla - Leeds
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Some tips for your application 🫡
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Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Arla Group specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arla Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
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✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
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Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Arla Group value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
