A great opportunity has come up for a multi skilled engineer with a bias towards mechanical, to join a small but rapidly growing business. The successful applicant will be responsible for maintaining and optimising equipment to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality food production.
The role requires working closely with production teams and the quality assurance department to troubleshoot issues and improve performance whilst complying with health and safety regulations and food safety standards. The person will also be partly responsible for site services with the support of external contractors.
About Us
Kirsty's is a rapidly growing food manufacturing business, trading over multiple categories within the chilled & frozen fixtures supplying all major retailers.
In a relatively modest factory, we can produce up to 200,000 meals a week and we need reliable and committed individuals to join our diverse team
Our culture is built on respect, teamwork, ambition and excellence, if you think you represent these values then we would love to hear from you
Key Responsibilities:
Process Optimization & Improvement:
* Analyse and evaluate existing production processes to identify areas for improvement in terms of efficiency, yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
* Monitor and optimize the use of raw materials, energy, and labour to reduce waste and ensure maximum efficiency.
* Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and best practices for production processes.
* Ensure that machinery and equipment are operating at peak performance.
* Lead troubleshooting efforts to resolve equipment or process failures quickly and efficiently to minimize downtime.
* Implement automation and technological advancements where possible to optimize production lines and reduce manual intervention.
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and implement improvements across production lines, including packaging and distribution areas.
* Ensure that all PPMs are adhered to on a weekly/monthly basis.
Production Planning & Support:
* Collaborate with production planners and supervisors to ensure smooth daily operations and adherence to production schedules.
* Work closely with the Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) teams to monitor product quality during production.
* Participate in root cause analysis for any quality issues or process deviations and implement corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence.
* Ensure the production environment and equipment comply with health, safety, and sanitation regulations.
* Collect and analyze production data to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), such as yield, efficiency, downtime, and quality metrics.
New Product & Process Introduction:
* Support the Research & Development (R&D) team in scaling up new product formulations from pilot trials to full-scale production.
* Ensure new processes or equipment are effectively integrated into existing production lines with minimal disruption.
* Conduct trials and validation tests to verify the feasibility and efficiency of new processes or products
Collaboration & Teamwork:
* Work cross-functionally with production, quality, and R&D teams to drive continuous improvement projects.
* Collaborate with external suppliers, contractors, and service providers for equipment procurement, installation, and maintenance.
* Provide technical training and support to production staff to ensure proper operation and maintenance of equipment.
Required Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
* Proven experience (typically 2-5 years) in production engineering, preferably in the food manufacturing or processing industry.
* Strong understanding of food production processes, equipment, and food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000, BRC).
* Proficiency in using engineering software for process modeling and equipment design (e.g., CAD, CAM).
* Solid knowledge of Autoclave/Retort and Sealing Heads will be a big advantage.
Preferred Skills & Competencies:
* Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with a hands-on approach to resolving production issues.
* Excellent project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Strong communication skills to interact with cross-functional teams and present technical information effectively.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Education:
* Bachelor's (required)
Experience:
* Production Engineering: 2 years (required)
* Food Production Engineering: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person