Engineer Shift Lead

Pets at Home; England; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet care retailer in Stafford is seeking an experienced Engineer Shift Leader to oversee maintenance operations and lead engineering teams. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of engineering experience, including 2 years in a leadership role. This position offers competitive pay and benefits, including a 20% discount after 12 weeks of service and a stakeholder pension plan.

Benefits

Attractive rates of pay

Annual Leave with increases after 2 years

Extra day’s holiday on your birthday

Stakeholder Pension Plan

Personal Health Insurance

Life Assurance

20% colleague discount

Access to Pets 'Treats' benefits platform

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in engineering roles, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or technical lead role.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Engineering Technicians and Technician Assistants.
• Manage and execute the PPM (Pre-Planned Maintenance) schedule.
• Oversee the spare parts store, ensuring timely procurement.

Skills

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Analytical Thinking

Problem-Solving

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering

Job description

Engineer Shift Leader

Stafford Fulfilment Centre
Grade D / £55,300 + 20% night shift allowance
Shift Pattern: 4 on / 4 off, 12-hour shifts rotating between days and nights (supporting a 24/7 operation)

At Pets, our aim is to give the nation’s pets what they need to be at their ball‑chasing, tail‑wagging best. Whether it’s a new scratching post or a smarter supply chain, we never stop improving. We are currently looking for an Engineer Shift Leader to join our Engineering Team at our Fulfilment Centre in Stafford.

The Role

As an Engineer Shift Leader, you will be responsible for leading a team of Engineering Technicians and Assistants, overseeing day‑to‑day maintenance operations and delivering long‑term technical projects. This role plays a key part in supporting our 24/7 operation by ensuring operational uptime, implementing innovative solutions, and maintaining safety, compliance, and engineering excellence.

You’ll be expected to provide hands‑on support, technical guidance, and leadership to your team, while also collaborating cross‑functionally with stakeholders across fulfilment, design, and operations.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Engineering Technicians and Technician Assistants.
• Manage and execute the PPM (Pre‑Planned Maintenance) schedule to ensure timely completion.
• Oversee the spare parts store, ensuring timely procurement to avoid disruption.
• Own and maintain the Fix System, ensuring accuracy and timely resolution of issues.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of engineering solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and development opportunities for the team.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, regulations, and safety protocols.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to enhance system performance.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across Engineering, Product, and Operations.
• Ensure high‑quality documentation and enforce engineering best practices.
• Act as the primary technical point of contact for key projects during shift hours.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Civil, or similar).
• 7+ years’ experience in engineering roles, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or technical lead role.
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated success in leading technical teams and delivering complex projects.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Proficient in engineering tools, methodologies, and systems.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in the retail or pet care industry.
• Knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Experience managing cross‑functional or distributed teams.
• Strong understanding of system architecture, design patterns, and scalability.

Skills & Competencies

• Project Management – Able to manage engineering projects from start to finish.
• Leadership – Experienced in developing and motivating technical teams.
• Communication – Strong stakeholder communication, both written and verbal.
• Analytical Thinking – Data‑led decision‑making with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Problem‑Solving – Effective in high‑pressure, operationally critical environments.
• Negotiation – Skilled in working with suppliers and partners to get the best outcome.

What You Will Get in Return

• Attractive rates of pay.
• Annual Leave (including Bank Holidays), with increases after 2 years’ service.
• An extra day’s holiday on your birthday.
• Stakeholder Pension Plan.
• Personal Health Insurance (if in pension scheme).
• Life Assurance.
• 20% Pets at Home colleague discount after 12 weeks’ service.
• Access to Pets “Treats” voluntary benefits platform.

We Value Inclusion

“Pets just see people. They are not biased, and they do not discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves—so even if your skills and experience do not perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!”

Please note: We reserve the right to close this job advertisement prior to the stated closing date if suitable candidates are identified. We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly.