Associate Manager

Arla Foods A.m.b.a; Westbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days holiday

Matched pension up to 6%

Life assurance

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Arla Foods Westbury is seeking a site Engineering & Maintenance Leader to steer a team of Maintenance & Engineering Technicians in a highly automated dairy site. You will balance people leadership with technical excellence to maintain safe, reliable operations across processing, packing and utilities.

You will coach and develop staff, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate with production, quality and site functions while shaping maintenance strategy and digital adoption.

Qualifications

• Lead a team of Maintenance & Engineering Technicians, ensuring safe operations, technical excellence and continuous improvement across processing, packing and utilities assets.
• Experience in FMCG/food manufacturing environments is advantageous and a lead/manager track record is expected.
• Qualified with a recognised engineering apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing your team in accordance with Good Leadership and Good Values.
• Ensuring safe, reliable and efficient engineering operations through planning, maintenance execution and resource prioritisation.
• Leading structured problem solving and continuous improvement to improve equipment reliability and OEE.
• Working cross-functionally with Production, Quality and other site functions to deliver operational objectives and support change initiatives.
• Supporting maintenance strategy, engineering projects and site investment programmes while driving digital adoption and data-led decision making.

Skills

Team leadership

People management

Safety-focused

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

HNC/HND/ONC/NVQ Level 3 in engineering

Job description

Do you want to lead a team that keeps one of the UK's largest and most technologically advanced dairy sites running safely, efficiently, and to world-class standards?

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Westbury Engineering team, where you will combine technical expertise with people leadership to drive performance across a highly automated manufacturing environment.

This is a permanent leadership role within the Maintenance & Engineering function, responsible for the days based engineering teams – Site Services, Automation and area specialists. As well as supporting the site's engineering and operational strategy while developing people, processes and performance across the department.

How you will make an impact

In this role, you will lead a team of Maintenance & Engineering Technicians, ensuring safe operations, technical excellence and continuous improvement across processing, packing and utilities assets. You will play a key role in supporting the teams, developing the equipment reliability, supporting major investment projects and fostering a culture where people thrive.

At Westbury, you'll join a team proud of its high levels of engagement, strong engineering capability and continuous improvement culture. You'll be part of a site producing iconic products including Anchor butter and milk powders, with plenty of challenge, support and career development opportunities to help you succeed.

Your key responsibilities will include

• Leading, coaching and developing your team in accordance with Good Leadership and Good Values.
• Ensuring safe, reliable and efficient engineering operations through effective planning, maintenance execution and resource prioritisation.
• Leading structured problem solving and continuous improvement activities to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime and enhance OEE.
• Working cross-functionally with Production, Quality and other site functions to deliver operational objectives and support change initiatives.
• Supporting maintenance strategy, engineering projects and site investment programmes while driving digital adoption and data‑led decision making.

The Westbury site continues to benefit from significant investment across processing, packing and utilities assets, and for the right individual this role offers excellent development and progression opportunities within one of Arla's flagship manufacturing sites.

What will make you successful

Experience within FMCG, food manufacturing, dairy, pharmaceutical, Site Services, Facilities or other highly automated environments would be advantageous. We imagine that you have several years of professional experience in a lead or manager position within engineering and manufacturing, including experience leading, coaching or supervising technical teams within a fast‑paced production environment.

In terms of personal qualities, you bring a safety‑first, inclusive and people‑focused mindset. You communicate and collaborate effectively, remain calm under pressure and demonstrate a strong commitment to developing others while driving high standards of performance and accountability.

You will likely hold an HNC, HND, ONC or NVQ Level 3 qualification, supported by a recognised engineering apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.

What do we offer?

We're committed to your growth and development, offering internal and external training opportunities. You'll enjoy a competitive salary, 26 days holiday, matched pension contributions up to 6%, life assurance, and flexible benefits.

Would you like to join us?

If you want to make an impact and help shape the future of dairy, apply as soon as possible. We process applications on a continuous basis and will close recruitment once the right candidate is found.

For additional information, please contact Chris Wakefield at [e-mail].

Please note we are not partnered with any recruitment agencies for this role. We kindly ask that agencies do not submit speculative CVs; these will not be recognised under agency ownership and will be accepted as a gift. Please apply directly through our official channels.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.