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- Tasks: Perform maintenance on diverse machinery, ensuring smooth production and minimal downtime.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing food manufacturer in the heart of Kent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with overtime, flexible shifts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting projects while enjoying the freedom to manage your work.
- Qualifications: Experience with mechanical systems and strong troubleshooting skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: £50,000 + Overtime at enhanced rate (Average earnings £60k+)
Shifts: 12-hour shifts – 4O4O covering days and nights
Location: Kent (commutable from Sandwich, Canterbury, Deal, Dover and surrounding areas)
About the company
Zest has partnered closely with a successful and rapidly growing food manufacturer in the heart of Kent. Due to growth and investment in the business we are seeking an experienced engineer to join our client's team. You'll work on everything from classic plant kit to brand-new machinery, keeping production running smoothly while enjoying the freedom to get the job done without being clock‑watched.
The Role
- Planned & reactive maintenance – around 5 scheduled jobs per day, plus responding to breakdowns as needed
- Work on a mix of older plant and modern high‑speed automated equipment
- Support major capital investment projects, including installations, commissioning, and upgrades
- Carry out fault finding and repairs across mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
- Collaborate closely with production teams to minimise downtime and keep operations smooth
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to boost reliability and efficiency
What We're Looking For
- Knowledge of working with a range of mechanical systems including both hydraulics & pneumatics
- Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, or other fast‑paced environments
- Strong troubleshooting skills – able to work independently and think on your feet
- Calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively
- A dependable, team‑oriented engineer who can be trusted as a safe pair of hands
- Happy to get involved in both day‑to‑day maintenance and large‑scale project work
Contact
For more information contact George or visit our privacy policy for how we look after your personal information.
Mechanical Engineer employer: Zest.
Contact Detail:
Zest. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those in food manufacturing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your troubleshooting skills. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled mechanical issues in the past. We want to hear about your hands-on experience with both older and modern equipment!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your teamwork spirit! During interviews, highlight times when you collaborated with production teams to minimise downtime. Employers love to see candidates who can work well with others and contribute to a smooth operation.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for dependable engineers who are ready to jump into both maintenance and exciting project work.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with mechanical systems, especially hydraulics and pneumatics. We want to see how your skills match up with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Mention your troubleshooting skills and any experience in fast-paced environments like food manufacturing – we love that!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We’re looking for engineers who can think on their feet and keep production running smoothly, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mechanical systems, especially hydraulics and pneumatics. Be ready to discuss your experience in FMCG or food manufacturing, as this will show you're a great fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Troubleshooting Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've tackled maintenance challenges in the past. Think about times when you had to think on your feet and how you prioritised tasks under pressure.
✨Team Player Vibes
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to talk about how you've worked with production teams before. Highlight any experiences where you contributed to minimising downtime or improving efficiency.
✨Get Familiar with the Company
Do a bit of research on the food manufacturer you'll be interviewing with. Understanding their operations and recent projects can help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest in the company.
