Single Skilled / Multi Skilled Engineer

Avara Foods Ltd.; Leominster; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave

Pension with up to 3% matched

Life assurance

Health and wellbeing support

Fully funded training & development

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Avara Foods is seeking a motivated Engineer to join the Hatchery team in Shobdon, Herefordshire. You’ll be a single- or multi-skilled engineer responsible for keeping plant and incubators operating reliably, and for driving improvements in uptime and safety.

We offer funded training, competitive hourly pay, shift premiums, generous annual leave, a pension, life cover and wellbeing support. On-site parking is provided and on-call duties form part of the role.

Qualifications

• Time-served apprenticeship in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Single-skilled or multi-skilled engineering experience.
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive approach to health and safety.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Flexible, reliable and able to work as part of a small team.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance and reactive breakdown repairs on plant, equipment and incubators.
• Diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Minimise downtime through a fast and effective response to equipment failures.
• Communicate breakdowns and maintenance issues to management and operational teams.
• Accurately record maintenance activities and spare parts usage through the maintenance system.
• Maintain engineering and hygiene standards across the site.
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with company policies and legislative requirements.
• Support audits and maintain engineering compliance standards.
• Complete process weigher and liquid meter calibrations in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Work safely within hazardous environments, including hot work activities and working at height.
• Support mechanical projects, machinery installations and refurbishment work.
• Support electrical projects and installations across the site.
• Assist with the operation of effluent plant systems to ensure environmental compliance.
• Maintain and support fire protection and suppression systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the hatchery operation.

Skills

Fault finding

Health & safety

Attention to detail

Pressure handling

Teamwork

Education

Time-served apprenticeship

Job description

Shobdon, Herefordshire

Are you an experienced Engineer looking for your next challenge? Do you want to join a successful business that invests in its people, technology and facilities?

Shobdon, Herefordshire

Are you an experienced Engineer looking for your next challenge? Do you want to join a successful business that invests in its people, technology and facilities?

Avara Foods is looking for a motivated and proactive Single Skilled or Multi Skilled Engineer to join our Engineering team at our Hatchery in Shobdon, Herefordshire.

We welcome applications from engineers with either an electrical or mechanical bias.

Currently single-skilled? We'll fully fund additional training to help you become multi-skilled, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills and progress your engineering career with us.

What's in it for you?

At Avara Foods, you'll benefit from a secure and supportive working environment where your skills, commitment and achievements are recognised and rewarded. We are committed to helping our people develop through ongoing training and career progression opportunities.

Salary & Benefits

• £16.83 - £18.69 per hour
• £0.92 per hour shift premium for unsocial hours worked between 17:00 and 08:00
• 31 days annual leave, increasing with service
• Company pension with up to 3% matched contributions
• Life assurance
• Health and wellbeing support
• Employee benefits and lifestyle discounts
• Fully funded training and development opportunities
• Free on-site parking

Terms and conditions apply.

Working Hours

This Role Operates On a Rotating Shift Pattern

Week 1

• Monday to Friday: 05:30 - 13:30

Week 2

• Monday to Friday: 09:30 - 17:30

Weekend working forms part of the role and is scheduled according to business requirements:

• Saturday: 8 or 12-hour shift
• Sunday: Typically 05:30 - 17:30 (12-hour shift)

On-Call Rota

Following completion of training, you will participate in a 1 in 7 on-call rota supporting two hatchery sites.

Additional Payments Include

• £16.51 standby payment per night whilst on call
• Minimum 4 hours paid for any call-out attendance
• Overtime paid at 1.5x hourly rate
• Double time paid on Sundays

The Role

As a Single Skilled or Multi Skilled Engineer, you will play a key role in maintaining the safe and efficient operation of our hatchery facility.

You will be responsible for maximising equipment performance, reducing downtime and supporting continuous improvement through preventative and reactive maintenance activities.

This is a fast-paced manufacturing environment where maintaining high standards of safety, hygiene and engineering excellence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance and reactive breakdown repairs on plant, equipment and incubators
• Diagnose faults, identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions
• Minimise downtime through a fast and effective response to equipment failures
• Communicate breakdowns and maintenance issues to management and operational teams
• Accurately record maintenance activities and spare parts usage through the maintenance system
• Maintain engineering and hygiene standards across the site
• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with company policies and legislative requirements
• Support audits and maintain engineering compliance standards
• Complete process weigher and liquid meter calibrations in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Work safely within hazardous environments, including hot work activities and working at height
• Support mechanical projects, machinery installations and refurbishment work
• Support electrical projects and installations across the site
• Assist with the operation of effluent plant systems to ensure environmental compliance
• Maintain and support fire protection and suppression systems
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the hatchery operation

What We're Looking For

• Time-served apprenticeship in a relevant engineering discipline
• Single-skilled or multi-skilled engineering experience
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills
• A proactive approach to health and safety
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Flexible, reliable and able to work as part of a small team

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Food manufacturing experience
• IEE 17th or 18th Edition qualification
• Pneumatics experience
• Multi-skilled engineering experience

About Avara Foods

Avara Foods is one of the UK's leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey products to major supermarkets and restaurants nationwide. With more than 7,000 employees across feed mills, farms, hatcheries, factories, logistics and transport operations, we are committed to investing in our people, embracing innovation and maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and sustainability.

If you're looking to join a business where your skills can make a real difference and where you can build a long-term career, we'd love to hear from you.

Avara Foods is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.