Planning Engineer
Location: Poole
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Salary: £42,000 per annum + Benefits
Wagstaff Recruitment & Careers Coaching is recruiting on behalf of a high-volume food manufacturing business for an experienced and proactive Planning Engineer. This is a key role in a fast-paced site, focused on engineering reliability, safety, and continuous improvement.
The Opportunity for a Planning Engineer
This is a pivotal opportunity to join a forward-thinking engineering team. As Planning Engineer, you will be responsible for managing planned maintenance, supporting project delivery, and driving data-led decisions to maximise site efficiency and uptime.
Key Responsibilities
Maintenance Planning & CMMS Management
Plan and manage scheduled maintenance activities.
Prioritise engineering work requests in line with operational needs.
Own and develop the site’s CMMS system to streamline workflow.
Asset Care & Reliability
Support the implementation of the Asset Care strategy.
Use RCM methodologies to reduce downtime and enhance reliability.
Identify opportunities to increase long-term equipment performance.
Health, Safety & Environment (SHE)
Champion SHE compliance and culture across the engineering function.
Ensure risk assessments are carried out and reviewed regularly.
Challenge unsafe behaviours and practices.
Resource & Financial Management
Forecast resource, parts, and material needs for maintenance plans.
Track and report engineering spend including downtime impact.
Ensure manuals, tools, and diagnostics are available for all engineers.
Continuous Improvement & Projects
Lead CI initiatives across engineering, plant, and process operations.
Manage stakeholder communication and expectations effectively.
Evaluate maintenance designs and support improvements through cost-benefit analysis.
Data Capture & Analysis
Record and analyse downtime, costs, and failure rates.
Identify recurring issues and support corrective actions using FMEA and RCA techniques.
Qualifications Required
Degree or equivalent in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (BSc, HND, HNC).
Alternatively, time-served apprenticeship with relevant experience.
Desired Experience & Skills
At least 2 years in a food manufacturing or similar fast-paced environment.
Strong communicator able to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and CMMS systems.
Working knowledge of RCM, FMEA, and root cause analysis.
Proactive approach to engineering improvement.
Company Benefits
Online benefits platform with retail discounts
Personalised learning via LMS and development programmes
Two paid volunteering days per year
Access to 24/7 support via Grocery Aid (financial, practical, emotional)
Physical and mental wellbeing tools
Financial wellbeing services including mortgage and budget planning tools
Holiday discounts and team events
Application Information
Upload your CV to apply or for an initial confidential chat, please contact Ruth at Wagstaff Recruitment & Careers Coaching. We’ll share more about the company and guide you through the opportunity.
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