Principal Utilities Engineer in Southampton

Location: Hamble, Southampton, UK.

Working Hours: Mon–Fri, 37.5 hours per week.

Overview: CooperVision is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. The company improves the way people see each day, giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives.

Scope: This role will have a direct, measurable impact on operational efficiency, cost control, sustainability performance, and site resilience. Annual utility expenditure at UKM exceeds $15 million; the role is expected to drive sustained improvements in energy and utility efficiency, reducing cost and emissions per lens on an ongoing basis. The role also strengthens utility resilience and enables 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 improves and reports on reliability, efficiency and sustainability performance of utility systems, reducing demand through operational optimisation and target capital projects. Interventions drove measurable reductions in utility consumption and emissions per lens, supporting manufacturing performance, cost control and sustainability commitments.

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

• Maintain efficient, reliable provision of critical utilities such as water, electricity, and gas to plant and process equipment; monitor usage to keep it on plan for 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, improving resilience, driving efficiency, and enabling future growth for UK Operations.
• Work closely with maintenance staff, engineers, environmental health and safety teams, production staff and management to educate and raise awareness of utility savings and usage, championing behaviours that support effective change and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the UKM Electrical duty holder and Senior Electrical Authority responsible for all aspects of electrical safety and compliance across UKM sites.
• Produce monthly reports on utility usage; report cost savings and efficiencies to finance, global facilities and sustainability groups, and provide monthly reports to Senior Management Team.
• Produce reports on utility usage to national agencies and trade bodies, ensuring compliance with ESOS obligations and maintaining CooperVision’s commitment to the climate change agreement.
• Collaborate with other site facility managers and principals across global operations to benchmark and deliver monthly reporting of project performance and metrics to VP level, supporting cost, sustainability and growth initiatives.
• Proactively identify and leverage industry trends, innovations, and challenges in sustainable practices, smart technologies and regulatory changes affecting utility operations to drive improvements in utility performance and sustainability.
• Drive change by engaging with GTIG, 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, and lead education across UK operations to promote safe and efficient utility provision and use.
• Ensure utility reliability, project delivery and compliance are monitored through executive-level KPIs including system uptime, energy efficiency, cost savings, regulatory compliance, and facility sustainability scores.

Travel Requirements: Expected to travel between UKM sites in Hampshire regularly each week. Attendance off-site, including travel to seminars, conferences, trade shows and vendor sites, and benchmarking other facilities, approx. 3% of the year. 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, and 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 within areas of responsibility.
• 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, supported by certified project management capability.
• 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, developing and embedding best practices for current and future fixed electrical installations, and providing electrical competency oversight.
• Demonstrated expertise in utility system design, operation, and optimisation, including maintenance and troubleshooting, with experience using SCADA, energy management systems, and applying relevant building codes and regulations.
• Established experience delivering energy efficiency and sustainability improvements, leveraging emerging trends and technologies in utility management (e.g. automation, data analytics, and renewable energy solutions).
• Proficiency in an additional language is desirable, ideally Spanish or Hungarian, to facilitate better global collaboration and communication.
• Proven ability in effectively managing budgets and experience in financial planning.

Work Environment: Work is mainly office-based, often in front of a computer. Will be required to access plant and facility areas, as well as production and warehouse areas. Competent to work safely in electrical distribution and supply areas. Will have to use appropriate PPE to minimise risks in these non-office environments.

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. Lean trained or other similar operational efficiency proficiency. 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 specialised training in sustainable practices. Professional Engineering accreditation to a relevant body, e.g. certified professional, associate or chartered Engineer.

What We Offer: You’ll receive competitive compensation and a benefits package including bonus, private medical insurance, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, access to Wellness Platform, discounted contact lens scheme and more. We are committed to employees’ personal and professional development, offering extensive training and access to LinkedIn Learning to support career growth and help individuals reach their full potential.

What You Can Expect: As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business that values an inclusive culture and diverse perspectives. If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today! All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.