Graduate Forming Engineer

Encirc; Elton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave package

Free onsite gym

Employee wellbeing benefits

Pension scheme

Life cover

Cycle to work

Subsidised onsite staff restaurant

Free parking onsite

Health cash plan

Private Medical Insurance

Job summary

Encirc is seeking a curious Graduate Forming Engineer to join the Glass team at Elton. You will gain hands-on experience across the glass manufacturing process, from hot end to cold end, and work on projects that improve performance, quality and efficiency.

This is a gateway to leadership as you complete Encirc’s Graduate Development Programme. You’ll collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and Logistics teams, taking ownership of projects and presenting findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or near graduation in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Proactive attitude and genuine interest in manufacturing and engineering.

Responsibilities

• Gain practical experience and work on real projects from day one.
• Learn about glass forming processes, IS machines and container manufacturing.
• Analyse operational data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality.
• Support quality investigations, root cause analysis and defect‑reduction initiatives.
• Develop knowledge of manufacturing systems, automation and performance tools.
• Take ownership of projects and present findings and recommendations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or near graduate in Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Salary: £26,000 - £28,100 | Elton

We’re looking for an ambitious and curious Graduate Forming Engineer to join our Glass team at Elton. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in manufacturing, learn from industry experts and build a future career in engineering and operations.

You’ll explore the entire glass manufacturing process, from hot end to cold end, working with advanced technology and contributing to projects that improve performance, quality and efficiency.

This is more than a graduate job - it’s your opportunity to build the foundations for a future leadership career.

What will you be doing?

You’ll gain practical experience, take on real projects and make a difference from day one.

Getting hands‑on with glass manufacturing

• Learn about glass forming processes, IS machines and container manufacturing.
• Gain experience across hot end and cold end operations.
• Support Job On and Job Off activities alongside experienced specialists.
• Develop your knowledge of manufacturing systems, automation and performance tools.

Driving performance and improvement

• Analyse operational data to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and quality.
• Support quality investigations, root cause analysis and defect‑reduction initiatives.
• Contribute to projects that reduce waste, improve productivity and minimise variation.
• Help maintain 6S standards and recommend practical improvements.

Building your future

• Complete our structured Graduate Development Programme.
• Develop your technical, analytical, project management and leadership skills.
• Work with teams across Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and Logistics.
• Take ownership of projects and present your findings and recommendations.
• Explore development opportunities, including potential training in Bilbao and cross‑site placements.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for someone who's curious, enjoys solving problems and is eager to learn. You don't need previous glass manufacturing experience - just the ambition to develop and make a difference.

You’ll Ideally Have

• A bachelor's degree, or be expecting to graduate, in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office.
• A proactive attitude and a genuine interest in manufacturing and engineering.

It’s a Bonus If You Have

• Placement, internship or project experience in engineering or manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or Six Sigma.
• An interest in automation and data‑driven decision‑making.

Above all, we’re looking for someone who takes ownership, embraces challenges, collaborates with others and wants to keep learning.

Safety comes first

Safety is everyone's responsibility at Encirc. You'll follow safe working procedures, wear the appropriate PPE, report hazards and help maintain a positive safety culture where everyone can go home safe.

Benefits

• Annual leave package
• Free onsite gym for all employees
• MyBenefits Reward Platform with100s of discounts at restaurants and retailers
• Employee Well‑being benefits such as the Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension scheme where the company contributes up to a maximum of 7%
• Life cover at 3 timesyour annual salary
• Optional partner life cover
• Subsidised onsite staff restaurant
• Free parking onsite
• Salary sacrifice Electric car scheme
• Subsidisedonsiteelectric car charging
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhance maternity and paternity leave
• Liftshare scheme
• Health cash plan
• Optional dental insurance
• Optional Private Medical Insurance
• Optional critical illness cover
• Social club

About The Company

At Encirc, we make, fill and move glass.

Part of the Vidrala group, we are a market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions for the UK, Irish and European food and beverages industries.

With over 2,000 employees, we operate from our three purpose‑built sites: Derrylin, Co Fermanagh; Elton, Cheshire and Bristol. We produce around 3 billion glass bottles and other containers annually and can fill up to 500 million litres of bulk shipped beverages every year. Our collective purpose is to deliver and uphold world‑leading sustainable innovation, with great people and a great workplace collaborating on a great future.

Joining Encirc means you will be joining a business with a bespoke, 360‑approach to the beverage supply chain, spanning filling, warehousing, and logistics. Reducing the road miles and carbon footprint of our customers’ products, we are conscious disruptors prioritising sustainability and modern technology. As a forward‑thinking and sustainable business, we are committed to achieving zero emissions by 2030.

Our Values

At Encirc, we’re proud to be a forward‑thinking manufacturer in a world that’s increasingly socially and environmentally conscious. Our culture is built around six core values that sit at the heart of everything we do. They guide how we work, how we make decisions, and how we support one another - helping us create a workplace where everyone can thrive.

These values aren’t just words on a wall; they’re lived, shared and championed across the business, shaping our mindset and inspiring us to keep making Encirc great for everyone.

Equal Opportunities

Encirc is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Every applicant will be evaluated according to skills regardless of age, gender, identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.

We also want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. That’s why we have partnered with Recite Me to offer an accessibility toolbar on our job search page, recruitment application system and website. The toolbar includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options and an on‑demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages including 65 text‑to‑speech and styling options.

To activate the Recite Me toolbar, click on “Manage Cookies” and turn on the “Accessibility Toolbar” option.

Before you apply, take a moment to read our Encirc Careers AI Guide. It’s a quick, helpful overview of how you can use AI to support your application—and where it’s best to rely on your own experience and personality.

Encirc Careers - Guide to AI.pdf