Reliability Engineer (MDE)

HEINEKEN UK; Hereford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

32 days’ holiday + public holidays

Private health cover

Employee discounts

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

Career development opportunities

Job summary

HEINEKEN UK in Hereford is seeking a Reliability Engineer to define and implement maintenance strategies that keep production on schedule and compliant with standards. You will support packaging lines, drive reliability improvements, and lead maintenance planning within the packaging team to reduce downtime and costs.

This role requires hands-on experience and collaboration across maintenance and operations.

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification (apprenticeship/HNC/HND or degree) in engineering or related field.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement asset maintenance plans to meet performance targets and compliance standards.
• Lead maintenance strategy development and execution for packaging lines.
• Coach TPM AM Teams and transfer basic maintenance tasks to operations.
• Support breakdown analysis and implement countermeasures to prevent recurrence of losses.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-effective maintenance across the site.

Skills

Maintenance planning

High-speed packaging

LEAN/TPM problem-solving

Cross-team collaboration

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.