Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.
As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.
To succeed at pladis you need to bepurpose-led,resilientandpositiveto succeed here because we expect pace andagility, we insist oncollaborationand demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact
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Site introduction:
Our Carlisle site holds a special place in biscuit-making history, proudly recognised as the oldest biscuit factory in the world, dating back to. Today, it’s powered by a dedicated team of over colleagues, each playing a vital role in shaping our heritage and driving our production capabilities forward. Home to beloved brands like Carr’s and Jacobs, the site operates ovens and packing lines, processing an incredible, tonnes of flour every year. Conveniently located near Carlisle Train Station, this historic site continues to be a cornerstone of British biscuit tradition, blending generations of expertise with modern innovation to bring joy to biscuit lovers across the UK and beyond.
What will this role achieve?
In this role, you will take responsibility for coordinating and issuing the weekly maintenance plan that supports a seven‑day maintenance operation. Following the appropriate training, you will also contribute to weekend coverage as the lead engineer on site. This is expected to be approximately one weekend in five. The core working pattern is Monday to Friday hours/week.
This position will play an important part of the site Engineering team, working alongside a core team of (plus shift engineers) in supporting the site's transition from a traditional maintenance model to a Reliability‑Based Maintenance approach, using the latest condition‑based monitoring techniques. For the right person, this role also offers development opportunities toward broader engineering leadership responsibilities.
What will be your key deliverables?
1. Plan and schedule maintenance activities, including seven‑day forward planning, long‑term (– year) horizon activities, and ensuring alignment with budget requirements.
2. Release and manage Planned Maintenance Plans, maintaining an effective balance between PMs and repairs identified through condition‑based monitoring.
3. Coordinate all resources for planned work, including organising parts, services, contractors, and ensuring all Permit to Work requirements are completed.
4. Maintain accurate engineering records, including SAP asset histories, technical documentation, DSOPs, and Risk Assessments.
5. Prepare clear work instructions, including detailed weekend work sheets and prioritising and approving scheduled tasks based on criticality and operational constraints.
6. Review technician feedback and continuously improve plans, replanning activities to enhance effectiveness and support asset reliability performance metrics.
7. Champion safety, quality and compliance, ensuring adherence to Health & Safety processes, contractor inductions, Everyday Quality processes, hygiene standards, and environmental responsibilities.
8. Promote sustainability and responsible operations, considering energy efficiency, waste minimisation, and long‑term asset reliability in all planning decisions.
Bring your experience!
Essential
Crucial
9. Aptitude to learn and progress career in Engineering, we are open to candidates from a manufacturing background who demonstrate a desire to learn and develop their Engineering comprehension skills
10. Practical experience in problem‑solving, ideally using fault‑finding techniques, data analysis and interpretation, and producing clear technical reports.
11. Competent in safety‑critical processes, including Risk Assessments, Permit to Work systems, COSHH understanding, and safe working practices.
12. Strong communication and numeracy skills, with high accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to convey technical information clearly.
13. Proactive and analytical approach, using structured problem‑solving methods to identify issues and drive effective solutions.
Desirable
14. Recognised engineering qualification (City & Guilds, NVQ Level or equivalent) in a mechanical and/or electrical discipline, supported by practical experience and strong mechanical/electrical comprehension.
15. Experience with Lean tools and techniques (NVQ Level desirable) and the ability to apply continuous improvement principles.
16. Working knowledge of SAP PM and MM systems to support effective planning and asset management.
17. Experience implementing or working with condition‑based monitoring systems and/or previous experience in a maintenance planning role, ideally within an FMCG environment.
18. Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
What will the interview process be?
19. Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
20. st stage interview – minutes competency-based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
21. nd stage interview – minutes – a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.
What does pladis offer you?
22. Competitive salary
23. Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return-to-work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
24. Stakeholder Pension Scheme
25. Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
26. days + bank holidays
27. Holiday Enhancement Scheme
28. Volunteering Day per year
29. Cycle to work scheme
30. Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
31. Access to Employee Assistance Programme
32. Financial Wellbeing Support
33. Access to great training and development opportunities
Our Values
Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite
Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better
Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward
Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together
Best mix of ingredients
pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.
Accessibility at Carlisle: Our Carlisle site has step-free access, accessible entrances and lifts between floors to support individuals with mobility needs. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, and where possible to perform key job functions.
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.