At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and supervise engineering activities in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Company: Join a leading FMCG company committed to innovation and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, career development, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving engineering excellence and reliability.
- Qualifications: HNC/NVQ Level 3 in engineering and strong multiskilled experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Lead Shift Engineer is a multiskilled engineering professional responsible for leading, coordinating and supervising all engineering activities on their assigned shift within a fast paced FMCG environment. They provide technical leadership to Shift Engineers, ensure safe and effective maintenance across all plant and packaging machinery, prioritise engineering workload, and act as the first point of escalation for technical issues during the shift. The role drives engineering reliability, reduces downtime and ensures compliance with safety, food safety and legal requirements while role modelling engineering excellence.
Key Accountabilities
- Shift Leadership & People Responsibilities
- Day to day leadership of Shift Engineers, including task allocation, prioritisation and performance during the shift.
- Coordinate maintenance workload in real time based on breakdowns, production needs and planned tasks.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching and hands on support to engineers on shift.
- Lead shift handovers, ensuring clear communication of ongoing issues, completed work, risks and priorities.
- Conduct informal skills assessments and support the Chief Engineer with identifying training needs.
- Role model engineering standards, behaviours and professional conduct across the shift.
- Maintenance & Engineering Operations
- Lead the execution of planned, predictive and reactive maintenance across process, packaging and auxiliary equipment.
- Manage and support troubleshooting, fault finding and issue resolution across electrical and mechanical plant equipment.
- Oversee line adjustments, changeovers and breakdown response to minimise downtime.
- Ensure maintenance tasks are completed safely, accurately and on time, reallocating engineers as priorities change.
- Installation, Commissioning & Contractor Coordination
- Lead and support installation, commissioning and repair activities on shift.
- Coordinate and supervise engineering contractors to ensure safe, compliant and efficient work.
- Maintain and sign off shift engineering documentation, ensuring accuracy and traceability.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvements in equipment performance, reliability and engineering efficiency.
- Identify root causes of downtime and implement corrective actions in partnership with the wider Engineering team.
- Promote new technologies, methods and engineering approaches to improve shift performance.
- Support upskilling of team members through hands on coaching and training.
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Lead by example as a safety champion, ensuring compliance with all H&S, food safety and legal requirements.
- Ensure all engineering tasks are risk assessed and completed in line with safe systems of work.
- Take ownership of shift safety issues, escalating where required and driving immediate corrective actions.
- General
- Undertake any additional engineering or leadership duties as required by the Chief Engineer or site management.
- Responsible for Food Safety, Quality and Legality at all times.
Problem Solving & Innovation
- Make rapid, informed decisions to prioritise engineering tasks and minimise downtime.
- Diagnose complex faults and lead Shift Engineers through systematic troubleshooting.
- Apply creativity and engineering judgement to resolve breakdowns and improve long term reliability.
- Act as the escalation point for technical challenges, resolving or coordinating specialist support as needed.
Leadership & People Responsibilities
- Direct leadership of Shift Engineers during the shift.
- Provide coaching, mentoring and guidance to develop engineering capability.
- Ensure consistent application of engineering standards, documentation and safe working practices.
- Lead shift meetings, toolbox talks and performance updates where required.
Impact of Role
- Directly influences engineering response times, downtime reduction and equipment reliability.
- Strengthens safety culture through effective supervision and compliance leadership.
- Improves shift performance by ensuring engineering resources are deployed effectively.
- Enables stable, predictable operations through strong decision making and shift coordination.
Dimensions of the Role
- Direct Reports: Shift Engineers
- Scope: Entire production site including process equipment, packaging lines, auxiliary systems and site services
- Environment: Fast paced, 24/7 continuous manufacturing (FMCG)
- Cadence: Rotating shifts, including night and weekend work aligned to engineering shift structure
Key Relationships & Interpersonal Skills
- Internal Stakeholders:
- Chief Engineer and wider Engineering leadership
- Shift Engineers
- Manufacturing and Production Shift Managers
- Technical, Warehouse and Operations teams
- External Stakeholders:
- Engineering contractors
- OEM engineers and service providers
Behavioural Skills
- Strong leadership presence and calm decision maker
- Excellent communication during high pressure events
- Safety focused and disciplined
- Team oriented but able to act independently when needed
- Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem solving ability
Knowledge & Experience Requirements
- Business Expertise Essential:
- Qualified engineer to HNC and/or NVQ Level 3 (electrical, mechanical or multiskilled).
- Strong multiskilled engineering experience in automated, continuous manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated capability to diagnose and resolve technical issues independently.
- Experience supervising or directing engineering work is highly desirable.
- Strong working knowledge of integrated systems, packaging automation and drive systems
- Minimum qualification of IOSH Certificate in Managing Safely
- Desirable:
- Prior shift leadership or coordination experience.
- Experience coaching or mentoring engineers.
- Knowledge of structured CI methods (e.g., root cause analysis, lean tools).
Benefits
Benefits of Working at Weetabix – Deeside:
- A competitive salary which is reviewed annually
- Access to the Company Bonus Scheme
- A personalised Career Development Plan
- Access to the company's e-learning suite
- Access to the company pension scheme
- Life Assurance cover
- Heavily-subsidised vending service in the Canteen
- Access to the Company Staff Shop at discounted prices
- A health surveillance medical every year (if required)
- Regular business updates
- Free parking on site
Lead Shift Engineer in Deeside employer: Deeside Cereals
Weetabix in Deeside is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where engineering professionals can thrive. With a strong focus on employee development through personalised career plans and access to e-learning resources, we foster a culture of continuous improvement and safety. Our competitive salary, bonus scheme, and unique benefits like a subsidised canteen and discounted staff shop make us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Shift Engineer in Deeside
✨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 Lead Shift Engineer role you’re after at Deeside Cereals.
✨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 Deeside Cereals 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 Deeside Cereals.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Lead Shift Engineer at Deeside Cereals, 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 Lead Shift Engineer in Deeside
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Lead Shift Engineer, 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 Deeside Cereals 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 Deeside Cereals 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 Deeside Cereals
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Deeside Cereals, 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 Deeside Cereals 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.
