At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic engineering team to drive operational excellence and safety.
- Company: Valeo Foods UK, home to beloved food brands with a global vision.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to shape the future of food.
- Other info: Join us to inspire change and foster a high-performing team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior engineering roles, especially in food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At Valeo Foods UK we bring together a family of much-loved UK food brands supported by the scale and ambition of a global investment partner. From Kettle’s bold crunch to Rowse’s natural sweetness, through to Matthew Walker and Barratt Sweets, our portfolio blends heritage, craft and category-leading innovation. Alongside our branded portfolio, we are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of private label products, partnering with major retailers to deliver quality and category expertise that meets the needs of millions of households every week.
As a business, we’re on a journey of transformation. We’re strengthening our operations, driving quality and investing in our people. It’s an exciting, fast-moving environment where heritage meets new thinking, and where every colleague contributes to shaping the future of food across the UK. Join us and play your part in building the next chapter of some of Britain’s most loved brands.
You will lead the site’s strong engineering team, driving operational excellence, safety, and compliance. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust maintenance strategy, ensuring maximum efficiency and reliability of the site’s equipment and infrastructure. You will also play a key role in continuous improvement, cost control, and strategic planning.
You will oversee all engineering activities, ensuring they align with both internal and external compliance requirements. This includes conducting risk assessments, managing contractor safety, and maintaining a safe working environment. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that all maintenance and engineering projects meet food safety and quality standards, investigating and resolving any equipment-related product quality issues as they arise.
A key aspect of the role will be the development and execution of a preventative maintenance program, ensuring a stable and reliably functioning site. When unexpected issues arise, you will be responsible for ensuring the team responds efficiently, minimising downtime while prioritising customer needs. Alongside this, you will review asset management plans and align maintenance strategies with the overall business objectives.
Managing the engineering budget will also be an important focus, ensuring cost-effective procurement of spare parts, labour, and equipment while delivering long‑term value to the business. Beyond day-to-day operations, you will oversee and drive engineering projects, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) to ensure successful delivery. Your leadership will be instrumental in guiding the team through these projects, balancing operational requirements with business goals.
People leadership is at the heart of this role. You will be responsible for developing and motivating the engineering team, ensuring they have clear objectives aligned with the wider operational strategy. Through regular one‑to‑ones, training plans, and structured performance reviews, you will foster a high‑performing team, ensuring continuous development and succession planning.
- Proven experience in a senior engineering role, ideally within food manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical engineering
- Experience of leading site services (effluent, allergen and hazards)
- Experience managing maintenance strategies and project planning
- A track record of leading teams, driving performance, and managing change
- Experience in a fast‑paced, evolving manufacturing environment
- Capital project management experience
- Familiarity with project management software
If you're ready to challenge the norm, inspire others, and make a real impact, we want to hear from you! Apply now to become part of the Valeo Foods UK team and take your career to the next level.
Engineering Manager employer: Valeo Foods
At Valeo Foods UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that blends innovation with heritage. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored training programmes and clear career progression paths, ensuring that every team member can thrive in their role. Located in the heart of the UK food industry, we provide a unique opportunity to contribute to beloved brands while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises safety, operational excellence, and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Engineering Manager role you’re after at Valeo Foods.
✨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 Valeo Foods 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 Valeo Foods.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Engineering Manager at Valeo Foods, 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 Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like 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 Valeo Foods 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 Valeo Foods 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 Valeo Foods
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Valeo Foods, 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 Valeo Foods 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.
