Discover a Rewarding Career at Arla Foods: Maintenance Engineer Opportunity at Taw Valley Creamery
Are you a skilled Maintenance Engineer seeking a role that offers significant impact, professional growth, and a competitive benefits package? Arla Foods presents an exceptional opportunity to join their dynamic team at the Taw Valley Creamery in Devon. This isn't just a job; it's a chance to be part of a substantial transformation within a globally recognized leader in the dairy industry.
Why This Role is a Career Accelerator:
- Impactful Role in a Transformative Environment: The Taw Valley Creamery is undergoing a monumental £180 million investment, positioning it for significant expansion and modernization. As a Maintenance Engineer, you will be at the forefront of this evolution, directly contributing to site development and operational excellence. This project will undoubtedly foster new challenges and opportunities for career advancement.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package: Arla Foods values its employees and offers a robust package designed to support your well-being and financial security. This includes:
- A competitive base salary.
- Generous holiday entitlement of 26.5 days.
- A strong employer pension scheme with a 6% match.
- Life assurance cover equivalent to 4 times your annual salary.
- Flexible benefits, allowing you to purchase up to 5 additional annual leave days, and access to a reward gateway scheme offering discounts with various retailers.
- Commitment to Career Development: Arla Foods is dedicated to nurturing talent. You will benefit from strong career development programs, including both internal and external training opportunities, ensuring your skills remain sharp and your career path is clearly defined.
- Critical Role in 24/7 Operations: You will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of a complex 24/7 production site. Your expertise will be crucial in providing breakdown support, executing planned preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting a wide range of equipment, from chilling systems to cheese processing machinery.
- Contribution to Continuous Improvement: This role encourages a proactive approach. You will have the opportunity to utilize structured problem-solving techniques, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA), to identify areas for improvement and drive operational efficiencies. Your input will be valued in shaping the site's performance.
- Health and Safety Champion: A strong emphasis is placed on health and safety. You will be instrumental in championing safety standards, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and participating in risk assessments, contributing to a safe and productive work environment.
Key Considerations for Your Career Path:
- Experience in Regulated Manufacturing: While not exclusive, prior experience in an FMCG, Food, or regulated manufacturing environment is highly desirable. This background will allow you to adapt quickly to the fast-paced nature of the dairy industry.
- Technical Qualifications: Ideally, candidates will possess a time-served apprenticeship or be apprentice-trained in electrical, mechanical, or multi-skilled engineering, holding a minimum NVQ Level 3/ONC qualification or higher. This foundational knowledge is key to success in the role.
- Problem-Solving Aptitude: A proven track record in structured problem-solving, RCA, and fault-finding is essential. Your ability to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently will be a cornerstone of your contribution.
- System Proficiency: Computer literacy, particularly with CMMS systems like SAP PM and Microsoft Office, is required. Familiarity with these tools will streamline your work and contribute to effective data management.
- Shift Work Adaptation: The role operates on a 4 on 4 off, 12-hour shift pattern. Candidates should be comfortable and prepared for this established schedule, which is typical in 24/7 manufacturing operations.
About Arla Foods and Taw Valley Creamery:
Arla Foods is a global dairy cooperative dedicated to producing high-quality products with a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. The Taw Valley Creamery, established in 1974, is a significant contributor to the UK's cheese production, processing approximately 1.2 million litres of milk daily and producing over 100 tonnes of award-winning cheeses. The current £180 million investment will establish a new mozzarella production facility, making it the second-largest single investment in Arla Foods UK history. Joining Arla means becoming part of a company that values people, the planet, and the pursuit of making healthy dairy nutrition accessible to all. Arla fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace where collaboration is key to achieving new heights in the dairy industry.
This Maintenance Engineer position offers a unique blend of challenging work, significant investment in a historical site, and robust career development. If you are a driven and skilled engineer looking to make a tangible impact in a forward-thinking organization, this opportunity at Arla Foods is certainly worth exploring.