At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and maintain machinery for plant breeding, ensuring top performance and reliability.
- Company: Join KWS UK Ltd., a forward-thinking agricultural business with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days leave, competitive pension, private healthcare, and fun social events.
- Other info: Flexible hours during peak seasons and a vibrant team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: 10 years in Agricultural Engineering with strong design and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
KWS UK Ltd. is seeking a Lead Agricultural Engineer to join our onsite team in Thriplow, United Kingdom. This is a hands‑on role where you will take ownership of all site needs, ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of machinery and equipment supporting plant breeding activities. You will lead the workshop facilities, provide a mobile repair service for in‑field machinery, supervise staff, and collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to maintain efficient operations. The role is on a full‑time basis, 35 hours per week. During peak seasons, flexibility is essential, and working longer hours, 6 days per week, may be required to support business‑critical activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the service and maintenance of all machinery and equipment on site.
- Respond quickly to breakdowns and implement effective solutions to maintain operations.
- Manage and organise the KWS UK workshop in a safe and efficient manner.
- Supervise and support workshop staff, providing clear guidance and leadership.
- Coordinate maintenance activities across local and external sites.
- Design and fabricate bespoke machinery and equipment solutions when needed.
- Maintain stock levels of parts and consumables.
- Ensure a clean, safe, and well‑organised workshop environment.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors on projects.
- Contribute to capital investment planning and decision‑making.
- Monitor costs, budgets, and operational efficiency.
- Implement and uphold health and safety systems and procedures.
Your profile
- Qualification and experience in Agricultural Engineering, 10 years experience.
- Strong design and fabrication skills.
- Knowledge of electronics (highly advantageous).
- Experience or understanding of groundworks, building, or construction (beneficial).
- Fluency in English.
- Good IT and digital skills.
- A self‑motivated, hands‑on approach with the ability to work independently.
- Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to act quickly and effectively.
- Confident communicator able to work with stakeholders at all levels.
- Flexibility to adapt working hours during busy periods.
What We Offer
- 35‑hour working week.
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Highly competitive pension scheme (up to 16% employer contribution).
- Life assurance (3x annual salary).
- Income protection plan (up to 75% salary).
- Private healthcare plan.
- Profit‑related bonus scheme (target up to 10%).
- Access to a lifestyle discount scheme.
- Reduced diesel prices via company fuel pump.
- A fun working environment where we take care of each other; we also organise social events such as a Summer Staff BBQ, a Christmas party and charity fundraising events.
If you are ready to take on a varied and impactful engineering role within an innovative agricultural business, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV to apply and join KWS in shaping the future of agriculture.
Lead Agricultural Engineer employer: KWS Group
KWS UK Ltd. is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, private healthcare, and a profit-related bonus scheme. Our collaborative and supportive work culture fosters innovation and teamwork, while our commitment to social events and community engagement ensures a vibrant workplace in the heart of Thriplow. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the agricultural sector while enjoying a balanced work-life experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Agricultural Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the agricultural engineering field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to meet potential employers and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your design and fabrication projects. This will give you an edge during interviews, as you can demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching KWS UK Ltd. and their operations. Understand their machinery and equipment needs, and think of ways you can contribute to their continuous improvement efforts. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to the future of agriculture.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Agricultural Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Agricultural Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience, design skills, and any relevant projects you've worked on in agricultural engineering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in machinery maintenance or team leadership, and show your passion for agriculture.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention instances where you’ve quickly resolved breakdowns or improved operational efficiency. We love candidates who can think on their feet and come up with effective solutions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at KWS Group
✨Know Your Machinery Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the machinery and equipment relevant to agricultural engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've maintained or improved machinery in the past, as this will show your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising staff, think about times when you've led a team or project. Prepare to share examples that highlight your ability to provide clear guidance and support, as well as how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment with both internal teams and external partners.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Given the need for flexibility during peak seasons, be ready to discuss how you've managed your time and adapted to changing demands in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you successfully handled unexpected challenges or worked longer hours to meet critical deadlines.
✨Prepare Questions About Continuous Improvement
Think about questions you can ask regarding KWS UK Ltd.'s approach to continuous improvement and capital investment planning. This shows your interest in the company's future and your eagerness to contribute to its operational efficiency and innovation.
