IT Operational Technology Engineer

Cranswick Country Foods, Staithes Road, Preston, Hull, HU12 8TB

About the Role:

We are seeking an Operational Technology (OT) Engineer to support our operational technology systems in a high‑performance food manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will assist in the maintenance, reliability, and day‑to‑day support of operational technology systems across the business. Working closely with the Operational Technology Lead and reporting into the Group OT team, this role provides hands‑on technical support to ensure critical OT systems remain stable, secure, and aligned with operational needs. This is a development‑focused position, ideal for someone looking to build their knowledge and experience in OT environments. The successful candidate will support ongoing projects, incident resolution, system monitoring, and on‑site infrastructure activities, while learning best practice in areas such as networked production equipment, automation interfaces, and industrial system integration. Strong communication skills, a proactive mindset, and a willingness to learn in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment are essential. We are seeking experienced 2nd line IT engineering candidates, with network troubleshooting and cabling skills. This position requires a hands‑on approach and willingness to be present in our various factories onsite.

Who are Cranswick:

Cranswick is a leading UK food producer with revenue exceeding £2.6 billion. We provide premium food to major UK grocery retailers, the food service sector, and global customers. Operating from 22 well‑invested production facilities across the UK, our purpose is clear – to feed the nation with authentically made, sustainably produced food. This role is based at one of our flagship pork manufacturing sites, where recent investments have paved the way for cutting‑edge logistics and operational improvements.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Support the maintenance and monitoring of operational technology (OT) systems to ensure uptime, reliability, and performance across production environments.
• Troubleshoot OT infrastructure, including network switches, industrial PCs, and other factory‑connected devices.
• Provide support for OT‑related incidents and service requests, collaborating with service desk and production teams to resolve issues quickly.
• Assist with patching and updates of OT systems under guidance from the OT Lead, ensuring accurate documentation and minimal disruption.
• Participate in projects involving OT systems, such as system upgrades, hardware rollouts, or integration tasks, providing on‑site support as needed.
• Support vendor visits and work alongside third parties during installations, maintenance, or troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain up‑to‑date documentation on OT systems, such as device inventories, patch logs, and network diagrams, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
• Learn and apply best practices in cybersecurity, backup, and recovery specific to OT systems, contributing to secure operations.
• Take part in disaster recovery tests and business continuity exercises by supporting technical preparation and documenting outcomes.
• Assist with coordinating and tracking system changes, ensuring all updates are clearly communicated and documented.
• Continuously develop knowledge of OT systems and industrial technologies, actively seeking opportunities to shadow senior team members and expand hands‑on skills.

What We’re Looking For:

• Demonstration of understanding of IT principles – whether through education, personal projects, work experience, or self‑learning.
• Comfortable working hands‑on with hardware such as industrial PCs, sensors, network equipment, and factory‑floor devices (training will be provided).
• Willingness to work in fast‑paced, industrial environments and support OT activities on the factory floor.
• A team player who enjoys working alongside IT, engineering, and production colleagues to solve problems and deliver practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to follow technical instructions and maintain accurate records.
• Reliable, safety‑conscious, and aware of the importance of operational uptime and hygiene standards in food production settings.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, able to engage with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Eagerness to grow within the business, with a proactive attitude towards developing new skills and embracing emerging technologies.
• Full UK driving licence, with flexibility to travel between sites within the Fresh Pork division (Hull).
• Agreement to work as part of on‑call schedule (to be discussed at interview).

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary – to be discussed at application / interview stage, including on‑call rate.
• Job stability at a growing and expanding company.
• Commitment to progression and development through internal and externally accredited training – ITIL, Disaster Recovery.
• Company pension scheme with enhanced contributions – matched up to 10%.
• Participation in our Share Save Scheme, offering discounted company share purchases.
• 28 days annual leave entitlement (inclusive of bank holidays).
• Membership discounts at high street stores and supermarkets through our discount portal.

Salary to be discussed at interview stage.

Please apply on Indeed or submit your covering letter and CV to:

Closing date: 30th January 2026

Please note that if a suitable candidate is found, this closing date may be brought forward. If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made your line manager aware before applying and confirm this when submitting your application.