Reliability Engineer (MDE)

HEINEKEN UK Supply Chain; Hereford; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Double-matched pension (up to 10%)

32 days’ holiday, plus three public/bh

Life assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Free ciders and beers

Retail discounts

Wellbeing support and networks

Development opportunities

Colleague Networks

Job summary

HEINEKEN UK is seeking a Reliability Engineer to join the Hereford packaging team. You will define and implement maintenance strategies to meet production schedules and ensure compliance while driving reliability across packaging lines.

You will lead TPM/AM initiatives, coach technicians, and collaborate across teams to optimise maintenance, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve overall efficiency. This role offers a structured career path within HEINEKEN UK's Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• Qualified engineer with apprenticeship or higher in engineering.
• Experience with high-speed process/packaging machinery in FMCG.
• Knowledge of maintenance techniques such as FMECA and RCM.
• Proven problem-solving using LEAN, TPM or Continuous Improvement.
• Ability to drive change and work collaboratively across teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement asset maintenance plans to meet performance targets and compliance standards.
• Create long-term maintenance strategies and execute preventative maintenance.
• Lead AM teams to optimize maintenance plans.
• Manage changes to minimize operational risks (safety, quality, reliability).
• Support identification and transfer of basic maintenance tasks to operations through TPM AM Teams.
• Support breakdown analysis and implement countermeasures.
• Provide technical coaching to Operators and Shift Maintenance Technicians.
• Deliver maintenance standards (HACS) on time and in full, with continuous improvement.
• Assist in reducing unplanned downtime using minor stop analysis.

Skills

Packaging machinery

FMECA

RCM

LEAN

TPM

Continuous Improvement

Change management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Engineering qualification (apprenticeship/HNC/HND/degree)

Job description

Function: Supply Chain - Packaging

Location: Hereford

Salary: up to £47,285 per annum depending on experience, plus benefits listed below

Contract: Permanent

Shift pattern: Monday - Friday.

Closing date: 13th October 2026.

Please note: We may close vacancies early where we receive a high number of applications, so don’t delay!

Who we are

As the UK’s leading beer, cider and pub business, we’re home to some of the world’s best-loved beers and ciders, and a leading player in the international drinks industry. We're the name behind a host of brilliant brands, from Inch’s to Birra Moretti and many more. And with around 2,400 pubs to our name in the UK, our Star Pubs business is all about putting pubs at the centre of community life.

But we’re more than just great beers and ciders – we’re a place where passion meets purpose, careers are crafted as carefully as our brews, and enjoyment of life is part of the job. We're proud to be a certified Great Place to Work®, as well as being recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™.

About the role

As a Reliability Engineer, you will be a vital part of our operational team, defining and implementing best-in-class maintenance strategies to ensure production schedules are met. You will support the packaging lines and assets to ensure compliance with statutory requirements while driving performance and reliability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement asset maintenance plans to meet performance targets and compliance standards.
• Create long-term maintenance strategies - particularly the development and execution of preventative maintenance - based on asset condition, industry best practice and HEINEKEN standards.
• Lead AM (Standard Improvement Teams) to optimize and standardize maintenance plans.
• Manage changes within your area to minimize operational risks (safety, quality, and reliability).
• Support identification & transfer of (basic maintenance) tasks to operations through coaching andsupporting TPM AM Teams (including quality inspection, Q-points).
• Support the Shift Maintenance Technicians with the execution of breakdown analysis through toimplementation of countermeasures to prevent reoccurrence of losses.
• Drives technical support and coaching for Operators and Shift Maintenance Technicians.
• Execute maintenance standards (HACS) to the highest standard on time and in full, ensuring they areoptimised through a continuous improvement mindset.
• Support unplanned downtime reduction through the application of minor stop analysis.
• Benchmark maintenance strategies internally and externally to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Build strong relationships with key service providers to drive performance improvements.
• Lead investment proposals to enhance reliability, lower costs, and ensure compliance.

About the team

Helping millions of consumers enjoy our beers and ciders is a real team effort. As a Supply Chain colleague, you’ll be part of the biggest function in HEINEKEN UK!

From barley to bar, our Supply Chain produces high-quality beers and ciders, prioritising safety, sustainability and innovation to keep our operations running smoothly.

You’ll be based within the broader packaging team, focused on keeping our bottling, canning and other lines running smoothly and efficiently. Your role contributes to ensuring machinery is reliable, well-maintained andsafe, while also anticipating future needs and driving fresh, innovative improvements to increase the site’s overall output.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking a true team player; an individual that also seeks out successes and wins for all! Success in this role would include a reduction in unplanned losses (breakdowns, short stops, speed loss) as well as being to deliver cost effective maintenance strategies & implementing industry best practices.

As well as the above, the ideal candidate will have:

• An engineer with a recognised qualification such as an apprenticeship, HNC/HND or degree (within engineering)
• Strong experience with high-speed process/packaging machinery, ideally in FMCG.
• In-depth knowledge of modern maintenance techniques (FMECA, RCM).
• Proven problem-solving skills using LEAN, TPM, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Ability to drive change, implement improvements, and work collaboratively across teams.

If you want to grow and develop your skills, gain hands-on experience with a wide range of technologies and sharpen your problem-solving abilities, we want to hear from you.

Why join us?

We're all about brewing the Joy of True Togetherness, and that starts with our people.

We believe in bringing everyone together, making sure you feel supported, valued, and included from day one – because every one of our colleagues has a role to play in shaping the future of beer, cider, pubs and beyond.

It’s a brilliant time to join us. We’re pioneering in low and no alcohol products, continuing to wow the world with creative marketing campaigns, investing into pubs and brewing a better world for people and the planet.

We're a place where you can build a meaningful career, with plenty of opportunities for continuous learning and development. For those just starting out or looking for a change, our apprenticeships let you earn valuable qualifications while you work. And for our managers and leaders, our LEAD talent programme provides the tools and guidance to inspire drive long-term success.

This is your chance to step up, raise the bar and brew a great career.

Check out the hashtag #LifeAtHEINEKENUK on LinkedIn to hear directly from our people.

Our benefits

Here’s a flavour of what we offer:

• Annual bonus
• Double-matched pension (up to 10%)
• 32 days’ holiday, plus three listed public holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day)
• Life assurance (subject to policy terms)
• Optional Private Medical Insurance – comprehensive cover for you and your family
• Free ciders and beers (including low and zero alcohol options)
• Retail discounts
• Wellbeing support, including Mental health champions, free Counselling, access to Colleague Networks.
• Comprehensive opportunities to develop
• Option to join our Colleague Networks to connect, share and build inclusion

and much more!

Please note: Some benefits are taxable and may be based on employee contributions. We’re happy to discuss further throughout the application process.