Project Engineer

Zest; Chilton Polden; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest is seeking a Project Engineer to lead transformative investment projects at a busy Somerset site. You will drive end-to-end delivery, from equipment installations to site upgrades, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and managing sizeable budgets.

The role emphasizes governance, procurement, and timely delivery in a high-volume food manufacturing environment. Monday–Friday, commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Strong MS Office skills.
• Understanding of engineering lifecycles and maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies (PRINCE2) is a bonus.
• Previous experience managing large scale projects.
• Strong background and exposure to food manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead major investment projects to upgrade and future-proof a fast-paced manufacturing site.
• Own end-to-end project delivery from inception to completion, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams.
• Manage budgets, governance, procurement, and timelines.
• Coordinate suppliers and contractors, ensuring hygiene and quality standards are met.
• Build strong working relationships with operations, production and engineering teams.

Skills

MS Office

Lifecycle knowledge

PRINCE2

Project leadership

Food manufacturing

Job description

Position: Project Engineer

Location: Somerset (Commutable from Bristol, Bath, Trowbridge, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Frome and surrounding areas)

Salary: £60,000 + Bonus + Guaranteed annual pay increases

Hours: Monday - Friday

About the Opportunity

Step into a role where your engineering expertise can make a real impact. Join a major UK food manufacturer with large-scale operational, big ambitions, and continuous investment, this is your chance to shape the future of high-volume food production set up for success!

What You'll Be Doing

As a Project Engineer, you'll be at the heart of transformational change, leading major investment projects that upgrade, modernise, and future-proof a fast-paced manufacturing site. From installing new equipment to delivering site expansions, you'll take ownership of end-to-end project delivery, working with multi-disciplinary teams and managing sizeable budgets.

This is a role where variety is guaranteed, responsibility is real, and your ideas can drive genuine improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver engineering projects including machinery installations, exponential growth, and site upgrades
• Manage project governance, documentation, procurement, and timelines
• Coordinate suppliers and contractors, ensuring hygiene, FAT/SAT, PUWER, and quality standards are met
• Raise and manage CAPEX, budgets, and supplier quotations
• Oversee permits, contractors, and site safety compliance
• Build strong working relationships with operations, production, and engineering teams

Key Skills & Qualifications

• Strong MS Office skills
• Understanding of engineering lifecycles and maintenance practices
• Knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2) is a bonus
• Previous experience managing large scale projects
• Strong background and exposure to food manufacturing