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- Tasks: Lead engineering strategy and drive innovation in meat processing operations.
- Company: Kepak, a leading food company with a focus on sustainability and teamwork.
- Benefits: Pension, training, discounts, bike scheme, free parking, and long service awards.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the food industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in meat processing required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Kepak is one of Europe’s leading food companies, with manufacturing sites across Ireland and the UK. Kepak’s vision is to be a successful, sustainable, future-ready Food Business with differentiation at its core that is a great place to work. This vision is underpinned by our values of Responsibility, Ambition, Passion for Food, and teamwork.
Kepak Meat Division UK operates across 3 manufacturing sites with 2,000 employees, producing a range of quality meat and protein-based food products for retail and foodservice customers. The division focuses on providing exceptional service and value to our stakeholders
This role will be based at our Merthyr site, working Monday – Friday. 7am – 4pm.
Are you a seasoned engineering professional with a passion for operational excellence in meat processing? Kepak Merthyr Tydfil is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead and innovate across our abattoir, boning, and slaughter operations, driving performance, safety, and sustainability in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
About the Role:
As Principal Engineer, you will be the technical authority across our site’s processing operations, responsible for:
- Leading engineering strategy and continuous improvement initiatives in slaughter and boning areas.
- Overseeing equipment reliability, maintenance planning, and OPEX projects.
- Collaborating with production, quality assurance, and animal welfare teams to ensure compliance and efficiency.
- Driving automation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction across the site.
- Mentoring site engineers and maintenance teams, fostering a culture of safety and innovation.
What We’re Looking For:
- Degree-qualified in Mechanical, Electrical, or Process Engineering (or equivalent).
- Proven experience in abattoir or meat processing environments, ideally in boning and slaughter operations.
- Strong leadership and project management skills.
- Knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., food safety, animal welfare, environmental compliance).
- Excellent problem-solving and stakeholder engagement abilities.
Health & Safety Focus:
- Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and compliance with H&S regulations.
- Experience implementing risk assessments and safe systems of work in high-risk environments.
- Ability to lead incident investigations and drive corrective actions.
- Familiarity with HACCP, COSHH, and other relevant safety protocols in meat processing.
- Company Pension
- Training and Development
- Employee Discount Platform – All Kepak employees are entitled to access to the WrkIt platform, which offers significant discounts and cashback with hundreds of brands.
- Refer a Friend Scheme – Get up to £500 for successfully referring a friend or family member to Kepak Group.
- Bike to Work Scheme – You can buy a bike and safety equipment through a salary sacrifice scheme which reduces your taxable income – meaning you pay less tax!
- Subsidised Canteen – Our on site canteen is serving multiple hot food options during the day
- Free Car Parking – Our Kepak site has a dedicated staff car parking facility which is free to use for all of our colleagues.
- Long Service Awards – We recognise, acknowledge and award the dedication and valuable contribution of long serving employees
- GroceryAid Employee Assistance Program – Providing emotional, practical and financial support for all Kepak colleagues.
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Principal Engineer employer: Kepak Group
Contact Detail:
Kepak Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Kepak on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge related to meat processing. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance and safety in past roles – they’ll want to see your passion for operational excellence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've mentored others or led projects. This is key for the Principal Engineer role, so make sure to highlight these experiences during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Kepak team!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience in meat processing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our values of Responsibility, Ambition, and Passion for Food.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about operational excellence in meat processing. Share specific examples of how you've driven performance and safety in previous roles, as this will resonate with us at Kepak.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In both your CV and cover letter, don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving abilities. We love candidates who can think on their feet and tackle challenges head-on, especially in high-volume environments like ours.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kepak Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to mechanical, electrical, or process engineering. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led in abattoir or meat processing environments, especially around boning and slaughter operations.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Kepak is looking for someone who can lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed projects and fostered a culture of safety and innovation in previous roles. Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement and problem-solving.
✨Understand the Regulations
Familiarise yourself with relevant regulatory standards like food safety, animal welfare, and environmental compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these standards in past roles, particularly in high-risk environments.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Kepak values operational excellence, so come ready to talk about your experience with continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've driven automation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction in your previous positions.
