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- Tasks: Join our team to optimise and maintain cutting-edge automation systems in packaging.
- Company: Heineken UK, a leader in the beer and cider industry with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, 32 days holiday, and free drinks!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Electrical Engineering qualification and experience with PLC systems required.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth and continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Function: Supply Chain - Packaging
Location: Hereford
Salary: up to £50,000 per annum dependant on experience, plus amazing benefits listed below!
Contract: Permanent
Shift pattern: Days based, Monday – Friday
Latest closing date: 21st April 2026.
Please note: We may close vacancies early when we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay!
Who We Are
As the UK’s leading beer, cider and pub business, we’re home to some brilliant brands, from Inch’s to Birra Moretti and many more. And with around 2,400 pubs to our name in the UK, our Star Pubs business is all about putting pubs at the centre of community life. But we’re more than just great beers and ciders – we’re a place where passion meets purpose, careers are crafted as carefully as our brews, and enjoyment of life is part of the job.
About The Role
As the Automation Engineer, you will be working within a team directly reporting to the Engineering Manager, supporting on automation and electrical activities within the Packaging line of production. This role is responsible for maintaining the site’s automation systems, both hardware and software, to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and cost.
At the Hereford site, our automation systems cover Utilities, Cider Production & Packaging, using Rockwell and Siemens PLCs with SCADA systems including ProLeit BrewMaxx and AVEVA InTouch, alongside various OEM HMIs. The automation network is fully resilient and includes over 100 PLCs ranging from older Allen Bradley models to modern Rockwell ControlLogix and Siemens S7-300/400/1500 systems. Communication is primarily via EthernetIP or ProfiNet, with additional networks such as ASi, Profibus DP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Monitoring, updating control systems and optimising PLC code.
- Providing technical support and mentoring to maintenance technicians to strengthen automation capabilities across the site.
- Programme and troubleshoot PLC systems; conduct root cause analysis on equipment issues.
- Use structured problem-solving techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, Kaizen) to drive improvements.
- Maintain PLC backups and keep automation documentation up to date.
- Lead automation aspects of equipment integration and commissioning.
About The Team
Helping millions of consumers enjoy our beers and ciders is a real team effort. As a Supply Chain colleague, you’ll be part of the biggest function in HEINEKEN UK! From barley to bar, our Supply Chain produces high-quality beers and ciders, prioritising safety, sustainability and innovation to keep our operations running smoothly. You’ll be based within the broader packaging team, focused on keeping our bottling, canning and other lines running smoothly and efficiently. Your role contributes to ensuring machinery is reliable, well-maintained and safe, while also anticipating future needs and driving fresh, innovative improvements to increase the site’s overall output.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and finds the best solutions by sharing ideas and collaborating with others. Possessing strong communication skills and the ability to influence decisions will help you in driving site improvements and efficiency in wider operations.
As well as the above, the ideal candidate will have:
- A recognised Electrical Engineering qualification such as an NVQ Level 3, HNC/HND level is mandatory.
- Mechanical experience is ideal but not essential.
- Prior experience in a packaging automation or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment is highly desirable.
- Strong working knowledge of PLC systems, particularly Rockwell and Siemens platforms.
- Network architecture standards and ideally have an understanding of ISA-95 automation standard.
- Familiarity with SCADA systems; ability to interpret and work with automation interfaces.
- Practical experience in PLC programming, diagnostics, and fault finding.
- Awareness of Process Control Design (PCD) and cybersecurity practices in an industrial setting.
- Ability to apply structured problem-solving and cyber-safe techniques in automation systems.
If you want to grow and develop your skills, gain hands-on experience with a wide range of technologies and sharpen your problem-solving abilities, we want to hear from you.
Why join us?
We’re all about brewing the Joy of True Togetherness, and that starts with our people. We believe in bringing everyone together, making sure you feel supported, valued, and included from day one – because every one of our colleagues has a role to play in shaping the future of beer, cider, pubs and beyond. It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re pioneering in low and no alcohol products, continuing to wow the world with creative marketing campaigns, investing into pubs and more.
We’re a place where you can build a meaningful career, with plenty of opportunities for continuous learning and development. Our Upskill-Reskill programme makes sure you have the capabilities you need both now and in the future, while our in-house platform, UBrew, is packed with learning resources. For those just starting out or looking for a change, our apprenticeships let you earn valuable qualifications while you work. And for our managers and leaders, our LEAD talent programme provides the tools and guidance to inspire and drive long-term success. This is your chance to step up, raise the bar and brew a great career.
Our Benefits
Here’s a flavour of what we offer:
- Annual bonus
- Double-matched pension (up to 10%)
- 32 days’ holiday, plus three listed public holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day – if any of these fall on a weekend, you’ll get the following weekday off instead)
- Life assurance (subject to policy terms)
- Critical illness insurance – comprehensive cover for you and your family
- Free ciders and beers (including low and zero alcohol options)
- Retail discounts
- Wellbeing support, including Mental health champions, free Counselling, access to Colleague Networks.
- Comprehensive opportunities to develop
- Option to join our Colleague Networks to connect, share and build inclusion…and much more!
Please note: Rewards and benefits can vary from role to role. Some benefits are taxable and may be based on employee contributions. We’re happy to discuss further throughout the application process.
The application
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply before the closing date listed above. You might not meet every single requirement for the roles listed above, and that’s okay – we all need the opportunity to develop and untap our full potential. If this advert’s piqued your interest, we’d encourage you to apply rather than ruling yourself out. We’re committed to finding great talent who can grow with us—no matter who you are or where you’re from. If you need any adjustments made to support your application (for example, if you require information in different formats, or if you have any accessibility issues), we’re more than happy to review our processes – please feel free to get in touch with us as Apply today to discover Your Future, Untapped.
Packaging Automation Engineer – PLC & SCADA Expert in Hereford employer: The HEINEKEN Company
Contact Detail:
The HEINEKEN Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Automation Engineer – PLC & SCADA Expert in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and values, especially in the packaging and automation space. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills! Brush up on PLC programming and SCADA systems, as these are crucial for the role. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Automation Engineer – PLC & SCADA Expert in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Packaging Automation Engineer. Highlight your experience with PLC systems, SCADA, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your teamwork skills and problem-solving abilities!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to showcase any previous experience in packaging automation or FMCG environments. We love seeing practical examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll get all the latest updates on your application status directly from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at The HEINEKEN Company
✨Know Your PLCs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Rockwell and Siemens PLC systems. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've programmed or troubleshot these systems, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Since structured problem-solving techniques are key in this role, come ready with examples of how you've applied methods like the 5 Whys or Kaizen in past experiences. This will demonstrate your analytical thinking and ability to drive improvements.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SCADA Systems
Understanding SCADA systems is crucial for this position. Be prepared to talk about your experience with ProLeit BrewMaxx or AVEVA InTouch, and how you've used these tools to optimise production processes in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role requires strong communication and teamwork skills. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve a common goal, especially in a fast-paced environment like packaging automation or FMCG.