At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support the engineering team to ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
- Company: Join Whitworths, a dynamic company focused on health and nutrition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, pension, and family-friendly perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in maintenance or engineering leadership with strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
About The Role
Lead the team. Solve the problem. Keep Whitworths moving. Great production depends on great engineering and great engineering teams need clear direction, sound decisions and someone who is prepared to get stuck in.
We’re looking for a hands-on Engineering Team Leader to coordinate our shift engineering team and keep our manufacturing site running safely, reliably and efficiently. You’ll combine strong technical knowledge with practical people leadership, helping your team respond quickly to breakdowns, deliver planned maintenance and improve the long-term reliability of our equipment.
Shift pattern: 42 hours per week, working 07:00-19:00 or 19:00-07:00.
Your mission
- You’ll take ownership of engineering effectiveness across your shift - setting priorities, allocating resources and making sure the right support reaches the right place at the right time.
- Working closely with Operations, Planning and the wider Engineering team, you’ll:
- Lead, organise and support the shift engineering team
- Respond decisively to breakdowns and minimise production downtime
- Deliver the planned preventive maintenance programme
- Identify recurring faults and turn reactive fixes into lasting improvements
- Work with Operations to plan repairs and maintenance around production requirements
- Maintain high standards of health and safety and safe systems of work
- Coordinate contractors and issue permits to work when required
- Ensure engineering records, machine settings and maintenance activity are accurately documented
- Manage critical spares and maintain appropriate stock levels
- Support machinery modifications and continuous improvement projects
- Coach and develop your team through regular feedback, one-to-ones and performance reviews
- Build strong relationships across the site and provide a responsive, professional engineering service
This is a visible role. You’ll be on the factory floor, close to your team and ready to provide practical support when the pressure is on.
What you’ll bring
- You may already be leading an engineering team, or you could be an experienced Maintenance Technician ready to take the next step. Either way, you’ll need the technical credibility to guide others and the confidence to make clear decisions.
- We’re looking for:
- Experience working as a fully qualified Maintenance Technician
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, controls and instrumentation
- Sound electrical fault-finding and general engineering maintenance skills
- The ability to diagnose complex problems and deliver practical solutions
- A proactive approach to planned and preventive maintenance
- The ability to organise workloads, set priorities and hold others accountable
- Clear communication skills and the confidence to work with colleagues at every level
- A supportive leadership style with a genuine interest in developing others
- Good IT, administration and record-keeping skills
- A strong commitment to health, safety and high engineering standards
- A time-served apprenticeship or BTEC, ONC, HNC or City & Guilds qualification in an engineering discipline would be advantageous. Experience within manufacturing - particularly food production - along with knowledge of PLCs, process, packaging or service equipment would also be beneficial.
Why Whitworths?
You’ll join a busy, ambitious manufacturing business where Engineering has a direct impact on safety, quality and performance every day. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how we work, build the capability of your team and help shape a more reliable and efficient site.
For someone with ambition, the role also offers a strong platform for future progression within Engineering and Site Services. Different experiences and perspectives make our teams stronger. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds who share our STAR values: finding Solutions, working through Teamwork, taking Accountability and treating everyone with Respect.
If you can lead from the front, stay calm under pressure and turn engineering challenges into lasting improvements, we’d love to hear from you.
About Us
We’re on an exciting mission here at Whitworths - to help boost the nutrient intake of the nation, improving general health of families using the goodness found in our delicious products. We’re the only brand that gives a credibly nutritious boost to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, baking and beyond.
There are obviously many other reasons to come and work with us, but the biggest reason is so that you have a job you love and a company you are proud to say you work for. You will receive a competitive salary, 33 days holiday, a workplace pension, and in addition, you’ll also have access to a number of family friendly, health and lifestyle benefits. Culturally, we believe strongly in investing in our people, developing them in role and developing their careers within Whitworths. Don't just take our word for it, our people say the same, as demonstrated by our recent accreditation from Investors In People.
Engineering Team Leader in Irthlingborough employer: Whitworths Limited
Whitworths is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative work culture, where innovation and continuous improvement are at the forefront. As a Site Reliability Engineer, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on manufacturing processes while benefiting from professional development and coaching opportunities. Located in a vibrant area, Whitworths offers a supportive environment that values employee contributions and encourages growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Team Leader in Irthlingborough
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Whitworths Limited, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Team Leader in Irthlingborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Whitworths Limited specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitworths Limited
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Whitworths Limited, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Whitworths Limited value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
