Principal Utilities Engineer in Southampton

Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom (On-site)

A brighter future awaits you. CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It’s more than making contact lenses – it’s about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives.

Scope

This role will have a direct and measurable impact on operational efficiency, cost control, sustainability performance, and site resilience. Annual utility expenditure at UKM exceeds $15 million, and the role is expected to drive significant and sustained improvements in energy and utility efficiency, reducing cost and emissions per lens on an ongoing basis. In addition, the role will play a key part in strengthening utility resilience and enabling future site capacity expansion to support business growth.

Job Summary

The Principal Utilities Engineer is responsible for the reliable provision, efficient operation, and continuous optimisation of all essential utility supplies supporting site infrastructure, plant, and process equipment across CooperVision Manufacturing in the UK. The role is accountable for improving and reporting on the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability performance of utility systems, reducing primary and secondary utility demand through operational optimisation, user engagement, and targeted capital projects.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities

• Maintaining efficient and reliable provision of critical utilities of water, electricity, and gas to plant and process equipment.
• Monitoring utility usage to ensure they are to plan on HVAC, compressed air, chilled water, and production process equipment.
• Develop strategies and lead actions to implement new or alternative technologies and ways of working that affect user behaviours and that improve resilience, drive efficiency and enable future growth for UK Operations.
• Work closely with maintenance staff, engineers, environmental health and safety teams as well as production staff and management to educate and raise awareness of utility savings and usage.
• Champion behaviours that support effective change and continuous improvement.
• Be the UKM Electrical duty holder and Senior Electrical Authority responsible for all aspects of electrical safety and compliance across our UKM sites.
• Responsible for producing monthly reports on utilities usage.
• Reporting cost savings and efficiencies to finance, global facilities and global sustainability groups along with providing monthly reports to the Senior Management Team on progress and compliance.
• Producing reports on utility usage to national agencies and trade bodies, ensuring compliance with ESOS obligations and maintaining CooperVision's commitment to our climate change agreement.
• Collaborate with other site facility managers and principals across global operations to enable benchmarking and deliver monthly reporting of project performance and metrics to VP level.
• Proactively identify and leverage industry trends, innovations, and challenges, in sustainable practices, smart technologies, and regulatory changes affecting utility operations.
• Drive change through engaging with GTIG, our key vendors and service providers to deliver continuous efficiency improvements through innovation and enhanced reliability across automation, plant, and utilities.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and development to technical staff in utility competencies.
• Ensure that utility reliability, project delivery, and compliance are monitored through executive‑level KPIs.

Travel Requirements

Expected to travel between UKM sites in the Hampshire area regularly each week. Attendance off‑site including travel to seminars, conferences or trade shows as well as vendor sites and benchmarking of other facilities through the year approximately 3%. Annual cross‑site global facilities and/or global sustainability group meetings 2%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience leading complex challenges related to utility systems.
• Proven ability to convert data and situational analysis into robust, data‑driven decisions and practical solutions that enhance performance and minimise downtime.
• Able to troubleshoot complex utility issues, oversee contractor work, liaise on utility‑related matters.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to staff to foster a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead effective and engaging communication, education, and awareness across all levels of the operation.
• Proven experience delivering utility and facilities improvements through the implementation of innovative technologies, best practices, and process optimisation.
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading complex utility projects to ensure continuity of service, operational efficiency, and strategic outcomes.
• Established track record in defining and embedding effective operating models, systems, and controls to safely manage, monitor, and optimise utility supply and usage.
• Proven experience maintaining multi‑site compliance with electrical safety standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in utility system design, operation, and optimisation.
• Established experience delivering energy efficiency and sustainability improvements.
• Proficiency in an additional language is desirable, ideally Spanish or Hungarian.
• Proven ability in effectively managing budgets and experience in financial planning.

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 5 years in facilities management, utility operations, or related fields.
• 3‑5 years experience of successful capital project management at a level >$250k.
• Team leadership experience, including coaching and mentoring of other engineers or technical staff.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Facilities Management, or related field.
• Certified Project Manager under a recognised system.
• Certification in Electrical Safety.
• Advanced certifications preferred in Utility Management, Energy Management, LEED accreditation, or specialized training in sustainable practices.
• Professional Engineering accreditation to a relevant body.

What we offer

You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including bonus, private medical insurance, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

We are committed to our employees' personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual reach their full potential.

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in your career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect

As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success. All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.