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 annual leave, competitive pension, private healthcare, and fun social events.
- Other info: Flexible hours during peak seasons and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while developing your engineering skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10 years in Agricultural Engineering, strong design skills, and a hands-on approach.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ 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 organize social events such as a Summer Staff BBQ, a Christmas party and charity fundraising events
Apply now 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 in Olney employer: KWS
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 fun, supportive work environment in Thriplow. With a strong focus on teamwork and innovation, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their roles while enjoying opportunities for social engagement and community involvement, making it a rewarding place to build a career in agricultural engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Agricultural Engineer in Olney
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of past projects or designs, bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like KWS UK Ltd. Express your interest and ask about potential opportunities. It shows initiative and enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for the interview! Research common questions for agricultural engineering roles and practice your answers. Also, think about how you can relate your experience to the specific needs of the role at KWS UK Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Agricultural Engineer in Olney
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your qualifications in Agricultural Engineering and any relevant hands-on experience to show us you're the perfect fit for the Lead Agricultural Engineer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about agricultural engineering. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to machinery maintenance and team leadership.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention instances where you've successfully solved problems under pressure. We want to see how you can respond quickly to breakdowns and implement effective solutions, just like the role requires.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at KWS
✨Know Your Machinery Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of agricultural machinery and equipment. Be prepared to discuss specific models you've worked with, their maintenance needs, and any innovative solutions you've implemented in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Agricultural Engineer, you'll be supervising staff and leading projects. Think of examples where you've successfully managed a team or led a project, and be ready to share how you motivated others and resolved conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Prowess
Prepare to discuss real-life scenarios where you've had to troubleshoot machinery breakdowns or implement effective solutions under pressure. Highlight your quick thinking and ability to act decisively.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
This role involves working closely with internal teams and external partners. Be ready to talk about your experience collaborating on projects, how you communicate with stakeholders, and any successful partnerships you've built.
