Lifecycle Engineer in Kempston

Location: On site / Ronald Cl, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7SH, UK

Job type: Permanent / Full-time

Sector and subsector: Engineering | Mechanical

Salary: Competitive salary

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lifecycle Engineer to join a growing team. The ideal candidate will have a background in mechanical or electrical engineering and experience within a manufacturing environment. The Lifecycle Engineer will provide technical and administrative support for all aspects of Lifecycle activities, communicating regularly with our global customers from initial enquiries to preparing detailed proposals relating to all Fords products. The selected individual will join a committed team focused on delivering outstanding customer support and service while meeting established revenue and margin objectives.

The Company

FORDS is an award‑winning design and manufacturing business and world leader in packaging innovation and technology. We design and develop unique foil closures, and build cutting‑edge machinery that delivers, applies and seals them to all manner of products. For a century Fords has built a trusted reputation for providing innovative and creative sealing solutions to the biggest brands in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care industries.

Key Duties

• Provide a professional, rapid response to customers.
• Provide commercial and technical assistance to customers including spare parts identification, provision of drawings, parts lists, and general technical support.
• Proactively identify and secure further business opportunities with customers and undertake proactive initiatives to secure enquiries and orders.
• Prepare proposals and negotiate commercial terms and conditions to ensure additional business is gained through repairs, refurbishments, upgrades and modpacks for existing machines.
• Diligently and methodically ensure all necessary information is inputted into the relevant ERP (Epicor) and CRM (Salesforce) systems to ensure correct process flow throughout the business.
• Assume responsibility for the management of projects undertaken including allocating resources to achieve successful completion.
• Work with the Head of Commercial on proactive initiatives to increase opportunities for spare parts, reconditioning, upgrades & contract sales.
• As required, provide costing support within the company procurement framework including sourcing components to maximise margins.
• Work in accordance with company procedures and specific guidelines and terms of reference at all times.
• Carry out any other tasks within the competence of the postholder as required.

Skills / Experience

• Mechanical or electrical engineering background.
• Good understanding of technical drawings.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills.
• Experience of working in a Lifecycle environment.
• Import / export international experience.
• Experience of working in the manufacturing industry.
• Additional language (French / Spanish).

Person Specification

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Extremely customer‑focused and responsive to customers.
• Logical, methodical and process‑driven with excellent organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical mindset.
• Commercially aware.
• A real team player, collaborative and inclusive.
• Able to multi‑task and adapt to changing priorities.
• Proactive, enthusiastic and self‑motivated.
• Keen to progress within the Lifecycle department.

Remuneration

• Discretionary bonus.
• Early Friday finish – 37 hour working week (Monday to Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Friday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm).
• Company life insurance x 6 times.
• Income protection after 3 years’ service.
• Access to Independent Financial Adviser.
• Office based – at our refurbished site in Kempston, Bedfordshire.