The right candidate will lead the initial construction of the factory, handle machinery commissioning and supervise subsequent manufacturing workflows. The company has recently been taken over and we are starting up in a new location. We are looking for an individual who can assist in factory setup while directing daily production, packaging, and personnel, all while upholding rigorous food safety standards (SALSA). We are seeking a player-coach who combines mechanical skill, project oversight, and regulatory leadership to build our operations from the ground up. The role demands a capacity for diagnostic troubleshooting and creative resolution across diverse technical challenges. This expertise is critical for managing engineering hurdles in a high-capacity setting where operational efficiency and safety remain the primary focus. Key Responsibilities: Factory installation: Commissioning management with c ontribute to the configuration and setup of the production machinery. Equipment Commissioning: Strategically place, construct and validate the semi-automated assembly line, including fryers, flumes, and bagging units, utilizing the tools provided. Compliance & SALSA: Execute HACCP protocols, maintain rigorous traceability, and supervise quality checks to secure and keep SALSA certification. Support the spatial planning and physical organization of the industrial facility, incorporating distribution zones, hygiene barriers and partition walls. Compliance Setup: Guarantee that every physical installation adheres to UK safety regulations and SALSA hygiene requirements from the start of operations. Engineering Issues: Serve as the primary responder for identifying and rectifying equipment malfunctions. Ability to maintain machine reliability, responding with urgency to any technical failures reported throughout the facility. Daily Operations: Direct the cooking, seasoning, and packaging cycles alongside automated systems to meet production goals effectively. Compliance & SALSA: Execute HACCP protocols, maintain rigorous traceability, and supervise quality checks to secure and keep SALSA certification. Staff Leadership: Guide and mentor the production personnel, designing work schedules and managing the operational output. Maintenance & Hygiene: Track equipment performance, conduct preventative maintenance on motors and pumps, and uphold stringent deep-cleaning protocols. Stock & Logistics: Oversee inventory for raw materials like oil and potatoes while planning production to ensure minimal ingredient loss. Role Requirements: Direct background in the repair and upkeep of complex industrial system, including hydraulic lines, filters, and motors. Practical experience implementing three-phase power systems, managing machine firmware, and establishing automated production sequences. Food manufacturing background with demostrated success within food production environments, specifically in snacks, crisps, or related frying operations. A robust understanding of UK food law, allergen management, HACCP implementation, and preparing for BRCGS or SALSA audits. The ideal candidate will be a proactive professional who thrives in a fluid startup setting, comfortably shifting between administrative compliance and physical factory tasks. A familiarity with continuous or batch-fry snack production technology is desirable.