Site Engineer: Preventive Maintenance & Uptime

Keelings; Finedon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Keelings is seeking a Site Engineer for the Finedon site to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of production equipment. You will lead preventative maintenance, respond to breakdowns, and drive continuous improvement across production and site machinery.

Health & Safety remains a priority, with emphasis on compliant engineering activities. The role requires multi-skilled capabilities, predominantly mechanical or electrical, with strong problem-solving and teamwork to meet uptime

Qualifications

• Health & safety awareness and compliance with GMP and site standards.
• Proven ability to maintain and repair complex site equipment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
• Teamwork and collaboration across production, maintenance, and packaging teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead on site health & safety and food safety compliance, ensuring PPE use and safe practices.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns promptly to minimise downtime.
• Drive planned preventative maintenance and inspections for machinery.
• Analyse root causes and contribute to continuous improvement and capex projects.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed and manage spares within budget.

Skills

Health & Safety Awareness

Machinery Maintenance

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Education

City & Guilds Level 4/5 (mechanical or electrical)

Job description

Purpose Of The Role

To ensure the Keelings Finedon site operates safely, efficiently, and reliably through proactive and reactive engineering support. The Site Engineer is responsible for reducing machine downtime, implementing preventative maintenance schedules, and driving continuous improvement across production and site equipment. Health & Safety is a key priority, and the role plays a crucial part in ensuring all engineering activities comply with legislation and internal standards.

Purpose Of The Role

To ensure the Keelings Finedon site operates safely, efficiently, and reliably through proactive and reactive engineering support. The Site Engineer is responsible for reducing machine downtime, implementing preventative maintenance schedules, and driving continuous improvement across production and site equipment. Health & Safety is a key priority, and the role plays a crucial part in ensuring all engineering activities comply with legislation and internal standards.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Health & Safety & Food Safety Compliance: -

• Ensure compliance with all UK health & safety regulations, ensuring all team members wear the correct PPE and follow safe working practices.
• Ensure the site is audit-ready at all times and maintain an audit-ready culture.
• Promote and uphold a clean and organised workspace, following “clean as you go” policies and general manufacturing best practices (GMP).
• Ensure the correct and effective use of machinery, reporting and resolving any damage or malfunctions immediately.
• Enforce compliance with food safety, food hygiene standards, and customer specifications, ensuring all colleagues follow protocols.
• Ensure work areas meet hygiene and allergen control requirements.
  
  

Breakdown Management

• Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns, carrying out repairs to minimise downtime.
• Work with Operations to prioritise repairs and maintain production flow, ensuring customer orders are not impacted.
• Support KPI targets for machine uptime and production plan attainment.
  
  

Preventative Maintenance

• Lead on the planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedule, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Conduct inspections, fault finding, and regular servicing to maintain machine performance.
• Monitor asset condition and implement changes to extend equipment lifespan.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Efficiency

• Identify and implement improvement opportunities to enhance productivity and reliability.
• Analyse root causes of recurring issues and trends, working with operations, hygiene, and cleaning teams to resolve.
• Support or lead on capex and automation projects in collaboration with Technical, Commercial, and Packaging teams.
  
  

Parts, Documentation & Compliance

• Order necessary spares and materials while keeping within agreed budgets.
• Maintain accurate records of work carried out, using engineering logs and internal systems.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental, and Statutory Legislation in all tasks performed.
• Actively promote a safe working environment for self, contractors, and colleagues.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as required to meet business needs.
  
  

Role Specification & Technical Competencies

• City & Guilds Level 4/5 or equivalent (mechanical or electrical), 17th Edition preferred.
• Multi-skilled background desirable (mechanical and electrical).
• CDM (Construction Design & Management) awareness preferred.
• Experience in a food production or similar FMCG environment is desirable.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  
  

Behavioural Competencies

• Drive for Results
• Be Responsible, Ensure Accountability
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Learn to Grow
  
  

The post holder is required to understand and adhere to Keelings Values

• People Matter
• Teamwork
• Integrity
• Passion for Achievement