Engineer - Nights

NWF Group; Nantwich; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base pay

Overtime at 1.25x

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Medicash health cashback

Funded training opportunities

Retail discounts and perks

Free on-site parking

Job summary

NWF Agriculture is seeking an experienced Maintenance Engineer to support night shift operations at the Wardle site. You will ensure safe and efficient operation of all feed mill equipment, perform planned and reactive maintenance, and focus on electrical fault-finding while maintaining mechanical skills to support production assets.

You will diagnose faults, contribute to root cause analyses, and participate in improvements to maximise plant reliability, reduce downtime, and uphold feed safety

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in multi-skilled maintenance engineering.
• Proven maintenance experience in manufacturing, feed milling, or FMCG environments.
• Strong electrical fault-finding and diagnostic skills.
• Experience with PLC-controlled machinery and automated production equipment.
• Willingness to work night shifts independently and safely.
• Commitment to safety, quality standards and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventive maintenance on feed mill equipment per schedules.
• Respond quickly to breakdowns to minimise downtime and losses.
• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic faults.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Assist with installation, commissioning and modification of plant equipment.
• Support continuous improvement projects to boost reliability and safety.
• Maintain spare parts inventory and report component needs.

Skills

Electrical fault-finding

PLC controlled machinery

Welding and fabrication

Night shift independence

Mechanical troubleshooting

Education

NVQ Level 3 in maintenance engineering

HNC/HND in Engineering

18th Edition Wiring Regulations

Tools

MCCs

Inverter drives

Electrical test equipment

Job description

NWF Agriculture are keen to appoint an experienced engineer to provide support to our night shift operations across our Wardle site. Responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all feed manufacturing, processing, handling, and packaging equipment within the animal feed mill. You would be responsible for carrying out both planned preventative maintenance and reactive breakdown repairs, with a strong electrical bias while maintaining the mechanical skills necessary to support all production assets. The successful candidate will play a key role in maximising plant reliability, minimising downtime, maintaining feed safety standards, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

Why NWF Agriculture?

• Monthly Pay: Competitive base
• Enhanced Overtime: 1.25x hourly rate for any overtime worked
• Shifts: Sunday to Thursday nights, 10pm to 6am
• Holidays: 31 days per year including bank holidys
• Progression Opportunities: Clear progression pathways across the wider group that operates 2 other businesses'
• Training Opportunities: Funded, accredited courses.
• Medicash: Cashback on routine medical expenses such as dental, optical, physiotherapy and more!
• Shopping Discounts: Save with discounts at major retailers like Sainsburys, Morrisons, Currys, Debenhams and more!
• Travel Savings: Discounts on flights, hotels, and airport parking.
• Entertainment Offers: Reduced prices at over 400 cinemas across the UK, including savings on drinks and snacks.
• Dining and Lifestyle: Access to deals on restaurants, leisure activities, and other lifestyle services.
• Enhanced Policies: Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
• The Usual: Company Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme including counselling, legal and financial support, Free Refreshments, Free Secure On-Site Parking!

Day to Day

Maintenance & Engineering

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM) activities on all feed mill equipment in accordance with maintenance schedules.
• Respond quickly and effectively to breakdowns to minimise production downtime.
• Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic faults.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring failures.
• Support the installation, commissioning, and modification of plant equipment.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and safety.
• Assist in maintaining critical spare parts inventory and reporting component requirements.

Electrical Responsibilities

• Fault find and repair electrical systems, including motors, drives, sensors, contactors, relays, switchgear, and control panels.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC-controlled production systems.
• Diagnose faults on inverter drives, motor control centers (MCCs), weighing systems, and automated material handling equipment.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics and engineering drawings.
• Support electrical installation projects and equipment upgrades.

Mechanical Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair feed mill equipment including hammer mills, pellet presses, mixers, conveyors, bucket elevators, augers, rotary valves, bagging equipment, dust extraction systems, and compressed air systems.
• Carry out bearing replacement, gearbox maintenance, alignment, welding repairs, and mechanical overhauls.
• Lubricate and maintain rotating equipment in accordance with engineering schedules.

Feed Safety & Quality

• Ensure engineering activities comply with feed safety, quality assurance, and traceability standards.
• Work in accordance with, UFAS, FEMAS, and site-specific feed safety requirements.
• Prevent product contamination through good engineering practices and housekeeping standards.

Health, Safety & Environmental

• Follow all Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• Operate within permit-to-work and Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) systems.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards throughout engineering and production areas.

Documentation & Communication

• Accurately record all maintenance activities
• Complete detailed shift handovers and communicate equipment status clearly.
• Liaise effectively with production and management teams.

What will you bring?

• NVQ Level 3, City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent qualification in multi skilled maintenance Engineering or similar.
• Proven maintenance engineering experience within manufacturing, feed milling, agricultural, FMCG, grain handling, Food production or process industries.
• Strong electrical fault-finding skills.
• Experience working with PLC-controlled machinery and automated production equipment.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently during night shifts.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent fault-finding and troubleshooting ability.
• Positive attitude towards safety and continuous improvement.
• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations.
• HNC/HND in Engineering.
• PLC programming experience.
• Welding and fabrication skills.

Who are NWF Agriculture?

NWF Group comprises of 3 key businesses: NWF Fuels, NWF Agriculture & Boughey Distribution. Employing over 1,400 colleagues across the group, we encourage and empower our people to progress and move fluidly through the group, meaning the sky really is the limit when you join us!

What makes NWF Agriculture different?

We go beyond feeds - offering a wide range of technical services, including our unique laboratory service, enabling us to develop the correct nutrition for individual flocks and herds. We manufacture the highest quality dairy, beef and sheep feeds to over 4,750 farmers feeding one in six dairy cows across the nation! NWF Agriculture has grown organically to be the second biggest ruminant feed manufacturer in the UK and we want you to be part of it!

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.