At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multi-skilled engineering team to optimise food manufacturing operations.
- Company: Join Stonegate Farmers Ltd, a leading organic egg producer in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, free eggs, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and a commitment to employee development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with continuous improvement initiatives.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and 5 years of management experience in food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior Operations Engineering Manager
Location: Lacock, Wiltshire
Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week
We are seeking an experienced senior professional to lead a multi-skilled engineering and facilities team, ensuring all machinery, equipment, and site operations—including the Trade Effluent Plant—are maintained to the highest standards. In this pivotal role, you will drive performance, optimise efficiency, and deliver continuous improvement across complex food manufacturing operations spanning both the Packing Centre and Egg Innovation Centre.
Reporting to two Operations Directors across separate business units on the same site, you will work closely with Technical, HSE, and Hygiene teams. You will manage two engineering maintenance teams and develop a facilities maintenance function to support ongoing growth and operational excellence.
About Stonegate Farmers Ltd
Stonegate Farmers Ltd is an integrated free range and organic egg business organised across three divisions comprising farming and agriculture, egg packing and cooked egg processing. Established in 1926 and under new ownership since 2016, we have grown into one of the largest free-range and organic egg producers within the UK.
Moving millions of mother nature’s most fragile food items every day takes finesse and know how. We work closely with our producers to collect, grade and package each individual egg. We deliver daily from hen houses right across the country to the most exclusive restaurants and to many of the UK’s leading supermarkets, together with first class egg products to some of the biggest names in food manufacturing.
At Stonegate, we believe that our success is built upon the dedication and passion of our team. We are committed to investing in our employees by offering continuous training and development opportunities. As part of our team, you\\\'ll enjoy a competitive salary, workplace pension scheme, and additional benefits such as a cycle-to-work scheme, on-site parking, free eggs, and subsidised transport from select locations.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering function to support both manufacturing and site operations.
- Take ownership of operational engineering, including all machinery, equipment, facilities maintenance, and the Water Effluent Plant.
- Develop a structure that can support engineering now and into the future across the site.
- Oversee the installation, maintenance, and decommissioning of food production assets.
- Implement preventative and reactive maintenance strategies to minimise downtime.
- Champion SHE compliance within the engineering function and support best practice across the wider business.
- Work closely with Technical, HSE, and Hygiene teams to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.
- Maintain accurate engineering and site services cost plans, forecasts, and expenditure reports.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders to support business performance and long-term success.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, productivity, and operational excellence.
What we’re looking for
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated engineering leader who embodies our company values of Respect, Aspire, Courage, One Team, and Diversity. The ideal candidate will have strong people management experience and be a strategic thinker, focused on continuous improvement, efficiency, and operational performance in a fast-paced environment.
Skills & Experience
- Degree/HND (or equivalent) in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
- 5 years’ experience in a management role within engineering.
- Proven experience in a food manufacturing or FMCG environment, ideally in a high-growth or entrepreneurial business.
- Experience managing complex operational engineering functions, including machinery, facilities, and process systems.
- Strong background in implementing preventative and reactive maintenance strategies to minimise downtime.
Senior Operations Engineering Manager employer: Stonegate
At Stonegate Farmers Ltd, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Lacock, Wiltshire. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our continuous training and development opportunities, alongside competitive salaries and unique benefits such as free eggs and a cycle-to-work scheme. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to operational excellence in the thriving food manufacturing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Engineering Manager
✨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 Senior Operations Engineering Manager role you’re after at Stonegate.
✨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 Stonegate 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 Stonegate.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Senior Operations Engineering Manager at Stonegate, 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 Senior Operations Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Senior Operations Engineering Manager, 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 Stonegate 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 Stonegate 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 Stonegate
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Stonegate, 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 Stonegate 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.
