At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a skilled team to maintain and improve manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Company: British Sugar, a leading food manufacturer with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ongoing training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shift patterns and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-skilled engineering and relevant qualifications preferred.
British Sugar is a home-grown success story and one of the most efficient and competitive beet processers in the world. Around 3,500 farmers based in East Anglia and the East Midlands supply our four advanced manufacturing sites with eight million tonnes of sugar beet every year. We, in turn, make this into over 1 million tonnes of sugar, serving customers across the UK, Ireland and increasingly growing commercially in the EU and world sugar markets.
Job Details
- Permanent, Full-Time
- Location: Bury St Edmunds
- Salary: £57,399.51 to £57,399.51
Job Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to join British Sugar as an Engineering Technician, where you will play a key role in supporting both operational performance and engineering excellence across a diverse manufacturing environment. Working within a highly skilled engineering team, you will gain exposure to a wide range of mechanical, electrical, process, and automation systems, supporting the efficient operation of our manufacturing plant. The role offers significant variety, combining reactive maintenance, fault finding, planned preventative maintenance, continuous improvement, and project work.
At British Sugar, we are committed to investing in our people. Whether you are an experienced engineer looking to broaden your capabilities or seeking to develop expertise in new disciplines, you will have access to ongoing training, coaching and development opportunities. We actively support multi-skilling, professional development and career progression, providing opportunities to learn new technologies, gain additional qualifications and build a long-term engineering career within one of the UK's leading food manufacturing businesses.
The position operates on a Panama 2 shift pattern, a 28-day rotating 24/7 schedule consisting of 12-hour day and night shifts. You will work closely with Operations and Engineering colleagues during your shift, under the leadership of the Shift Performance Manager, while reporting directly to the Engineering Lead who will support your ongoing development and coordinate additional maintenance activities across the site.
Core Accountabilities
- Work as part of a multi-skilled engineering team to maintain and improve a wide range of manufacturing, process, packaging, milling and product handling equipment, as well as site infrastructure.
- Apply both mechanical and electrical skills to diagnose faults, troubleshoot equipment issues, and restore plant performance safely and efficiently.
- Carry out planned preventative maintenance, inspections, condition monitoring and corrective maintenance activities to maximise equipment reliability.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve plant performance, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Participate in the installation, modification, testing and commissioning of new equipment and engineering projects.
- Develop a broad understanding of manufacturing processes and operational requirements, building capability across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Work collaboratively with Operations, Engineering and other site functions to deliver production targets and operational excellence.
- Accurately record maintenance activities, defect reports and improvement actions within the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
- Maintain high standards of safety, food quality and housekeeping while working within a complex industrial and food manufacturing environment.
Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
- Proven experience in a multi-skilled engineering role, demonstrating strong fault-finding, problem-solving and maintenance capabilities.
- Mechanical and/or electrical engineering qualifications, ideally supported by a recognised apprenticeship, ONC, HNC or equivalent qualification.
- A genuine desire to learn, develop and expand technical knowledge across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Experience working within a manufacturing, process, industrial or FMCG environment.
- Ability to diagnose complex equipment issues and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
- Experience of working within a lean or continuous improvement environment.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively alongside colleagues from different technical backgrounds.
- Understanding of health, safety and food manufacturing standards within a complex industrial environment.
- Self-motivated with the ability to prioritise and balance urgent operational demands alongside planned engineering activities.
- Flexible and adaptable approach, with a willingness to embrace new technologies, systems and opportunities for development.
Engineering Technician employer: British Sugar PLC
British Sugar is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bury St Edmunds where engineering technicians can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company provides ongoing training and career progression opportunities, ensuring that you can expand your skills across various engineering disciplines while contributing to a leading food manufacturing business. The collaborative culture and focus on continuous improvement make it a rewarding place to work for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Technician
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Engineering Technician role you’re after at British Sugar PLC.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at British Sugar PLC a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at British Sugar PLC.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Engineering Technician at British Sugar PLC, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Technician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Engineering Technician, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at British Sugar PLC a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to British Sugar PLC specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at British Sugar PLC
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with British Sugar PLC, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like British Sugar PLC want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
