Pilgrims Europe is seeking an experienced Engineering Team Leader to join our engineering leadership team on a 4 on / 4 off shift pattern (2 days, 2 nights). This is a critical role focused on leading people, driving reliability, and ensuring engineering excellence in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
If you're a confident engineering leader with a strong electrical background and a passion for continuous improvement, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact while enjoying an excellent work–life balance.
The Role
As Engineering Team Leader, you will lead and develop a team of engineers and maintenance technicians, ensuring equipment reliability, minimising downtime, and maintaining full compliance with food safety and health & safety standards. You will work closely with Production, Quality, and Operations to support site performance and continuous improvement.
Working Hours
* 4 on / 4 off shift pattern
* 2 days followed by 2 nights, then 4 days off
Key Responsibilities
* Lead, motivate, and develop engineering and maintenance personnel
* Organise daily workloads and resource planning across shifts
* Conduct performance reviews and support training and upskilling
* Promote a positive, high-performance engineering culture
* Deliver and manage the planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedule
* Respond to breakdowns with rapid fault resolution and root cause analysis
* Ensure accurate recording of all maintenance activities
* Support installation, commissioning, and validation of new equipment
* Ensure engineering activities meet food safety and hygiene standards (HACCP, BRC/GFSI)
* Maintain strict hygiene controls in production areas
* Ensure compliance with health & safety legislation (LOTO, PUWER, machinery safety)
* Complete risk assessments and support audits and corrective actions
* Identify engineering improvements to reduce downtime and improve OEE
* Support lean manufacturing initiatives (5S, Kaizen, waste reduction)
* Analyse engineering KPIs and drive improvement actions
* Manage work orders, spare parts, contractors, and maintenance planning
* Support engineering budgets and cost control
* Maintain CMMS accuracy and engineering documentation
About You
Essential
* Experience leading or supervising an engineering or maintenance team
* Strong industrial electrical engineering background (multiskilled desirable)
* Experience with PPM systems and manufacturing maintenance
* Background in food manufacturing or FMCG environments
* Strong fault-finding, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
* Effective communicator with strong cross-functional teamwork abilities
Electrical Qualifications (Essential)
* Level 3 Electrical Engineering qualification (NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds 2330/2365 or equivalent)
* 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
* Experience fault-finding industrial electrical systems
* Ability to read electrical schematics and technical drawings
* Experience with three-phase systems, motors, inverters, and control panels
* Knowledge of PLC-controlled systems (Siemens / Allen Bradley advantageous)
* Strong understanding of electrical safety and lock-out/tag-out procedures
Desirable
* Experience in high-care or high-risk food manufacturing
* Familiarity with CMMS systems
* Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement training
* HNC/HND in Electrical or Electronic Engineering
* Experience with SCADA, HMIs, automation, robotics, or servo systems
* CompEx or functional safety training
Benefits of Working at Pilgrims Europe
* Competitive salary
* 4 on / 4 off shift pattern supporting work–life balance
* Company pension scheme
* Life assurance
* Discounted staff products
* Employee assistance programme
* Ongoing training and development opportunities
* Career progression within a large, stable FMCG organisation
* A safety-first, inclusive, and collaborative working environment
If you're an experienced electrical engineering leader who enjoys developing people, solving problems, and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Pilgrims Europe and be part of a business where engineering excellence, safety, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do. This is your opportunity to lead from the front, shape site performance, and build a long-term career with a company that invests in its people.
Apply today and take the next step in your engineering leadership journey with Pilgrims Europe
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