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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in FMCG environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and leadership examples. Think of specific situations where you’ve led a team or solved a complex problem. We want to hear those stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for roles that excite you, like the Lead Shift Engineer position, and tailor your approach accordingly.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested. It’s a small touch that can make a big difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Shift Engineer in Deeside
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Shift Engineer role. Highlight your multiskilled engineering experience and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your background aligns with our fast-paced FMCG environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead and resolve technical issues, just like we do at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight your problem-solving abilities. Share examples of how you've diagnosed complex faults or improved equipment reliability. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you in front of the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deeside Cereals
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around electrical and mechanical systems. Be ready to discuss your experience in diagnosing and resolving issues, as well as any specific projects you've led or contributed to in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team of Shift Engineers, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Talk about how you prioritise tasks, allocate responsibilities, and support your team during high-pressure situations.
✨Emphasise Safety and Compliance
Safety is a big deal in this role, so highlight your commitment to health and safety standards. Discuss any relevant certifications you have, like the IOSH Certificate, and provide examples of how you've ensured compliance in previous positions.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face some hypothetical scenarios during the interview where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would approach troubleshooting complex faults and minimising downtime, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
