At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the engineering department to drive performance improvements and maximise efficiency.
- Company: Join Johnstone’s Food Service, a leading UK bakery business with growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced leave, pension scheme, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a real impact in a thriving FMCG environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience in fast-paced manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 51000 £ per year.
Location: Johnstone’s Food Service, East Kilbride
Shift: Days Monday to Friday
We have an opportunity for an experienced Site Engineering Lead to join the Engineering and Site Senior Leadership team at our highly automated Johnstone’s bakery site, which forms part of the 10 sites currently within the Finsbury Food Group. This is a fantastic chance to join one of the UK’s largest bakery businesses, who provides some of the top branded products along with outstanding prospects for growth and development. At Finsbury Food Group, we are passionate about investing in our teams; supporting your career to meet its full potential and thrive in our growing group of bakeries.
The Site Engineering Lead will lead the engineering department on site to deliver the departmental and site strategies. Maximising OEE through robust leadership of the Engineering shift teams will be crucial to success, so strong leadership and team development capability are essential. This role acts as the most senior engineering position on site and so will be required to be credible presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders.
To be successful in this role, the candidate will have worked in a similar engineering leadership position within a fast‑paced manufacturing sector. They will have demonstrable experience of leading and developing teams, change management and strong financial and performance success. Good stakeholder management and clear communication skills are essential as this is a fast‑paced role with a need for adaptability, influencing and perseverance to drive sustained improvements.
This is what you’ll actually do!
- You’ll take full ownership of the engineering function on site, leading the delivery of the engineering strategy and driving measurable improvements in performance.
- Representing the site in a community of over ten bakeries sharing best practices in all aspects of asset excellence, delivering across our full balanced scorecard, with strong focus on Safety and Compliance at the forefront of everything you and your team do.
- Maximising OEE through strong leadership of the engineering teams, ensuring high standards of reliability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
- You’ll build capability across the team by developing talent, strengthening succession pipelines, and embedding a high‑performance culture.
- You’ll lead from the front in setting behavioural standards, championing the company’s values and Operational Excellence programme.
- Using both internal best practice and external insights, you’ll identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, automation, and overall site performance.
- Manage engineering budgets and resources effectively, ensuring robust financial control, optimised spare parts management, and delivery against key performance targets.
- Play a key role in influencing stakeholders and contributing to wider business strategy.
Ideally this is you!
- Degree or HND qualified in Engineering (or equivalent FMCG manufacturing experience)
- Proven experience leading and developing engineering teams in a fast‑paced environment
- Strong track record of driving performance improvement and leading change
- Experience with automation and/or mechatronics within manufacturing
- Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Highly organised with strong project management and problem‑solving ability
- Able to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational delivery
- Proactive, solutions‑focused, and committed to continuous improvement
- Demonstrates strong leadership, accountability, and collaboration
- Open to new ideas and committed to implementing best practice
- Strong IT skills, including Excel and data analysis
- Professional, decisive, and confident working in a fast‑paced environment
What’s in it for you?
- A very competitive salary.
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival.
- Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees.
- Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families).
- Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform.
- Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral – T&C’s dependent).
- Employee Recognition Awards.
- Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in‑house development course!).
- An opportunity to be part of a fantastic, growing organisation.
Site Engineering Lead employer: Finsbury Food
Johnstone’s Food Service Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee growth and development within the dynamic environment of East Kilbride. With a strong commitment to innovation and excellence, employees benefit from competitive salaries, enhanced family leave, and extensive learning opportunities, all while being part of one of the UK’s largest bakery businesses dedicated to fostering a high-performance culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Engineering Lead
✨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 Site Engineering Lead role you’re after at Finsbury Food.
✨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 Finsbury Food 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 Finsbury Food.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Site Engineering Lead at Finsbury Food, 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 Site Engineering Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Site Engineering Lead, 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 Finsbury Food 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 Finsbury Food 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 Finsbury Food
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Finsbury Food, 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 Finsbury Food 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.
