## Review: Shift Engineer Opportunity at Bakkavor Highbridge
This **Shift Engineer** position at Bakkavor in Highbridge presents a compelling opportunity for skilled engineers looking to advance their careers within a leading UK fresh prepared food manufacturer. If you thrive in dynamic, 24/7 environments and are driven by innovation and continuous improvement, this role could be an excellent fit for your professional journey.
### Advantages for Potential Candidates:
Bakkavor offers a robust package of benefits and a supportive work environment designed for employee growth and well-being.
* Career Development & Growth: The company explicitly states a commitment to providing "significant potential for development." This suggests opportunities for learning new skills, taking on more responsibility, and advancing within the engineering team. The fast-paced nature of their 24/7 operation fosters agility and exposes engineers to a wide array of challenges, which are invaluable for skill enhancement.
* Competitive Compensation & Benefits: The salary is competitive, with potential earnings up to **£55,650** based on experience. Beyond salary, Bakkavor offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Life Assurance: Peace of mind with cover equivalent to 1x your salary.
- Discount Platform: "MyBargains" offers savings on everyday purchases.
- Voluntary Benefits: Options like holiday purchase schemes, additional life assurance, and health cash plans allow for personalised benefit selection.
- Pension Scheme: A Stakeholder Pension Scheme is in place for long-term financial planning.
- Work-Life Balance Support: Benefits like a holiday purchase scheme and discounted tutoring for children demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being.
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Impactful Work: As a market leader supplying to major grocery retailers like Tesco, M&S, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose, you'll be contributing to the production of popular food items. The Highbridge site's specialization in cheesecakes and tarts means you'll be working with specific, yet critical, machinery.
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Team Environment: While tasks may involve solo work, the role emphasizes contributing to technical performance reviews and continuous improvement activities. This collaborative aspect fosters a sense of shared purpose and allows for mutual learning.
### Key Considerations for Your Career Path:
To ensure this role aligns with your aspirations, consider the following aspects of the opportunity:
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Shift Pattern: The **4 on 4 off rotating days and nights** (06:00 – 18:00 and 18:00 – 06:00) is a significant commitment. Candidates should assess their ability to adapt to and thrive within this demanding, yet common, manufacturing shift pattern. This schedule requires a strong sense of personal discipline and an understanding of its impact on lifestyle.
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Site-Based Role: This is a **site-based** position in Highbridge. If you are looking for remote or hybrid work, this role would not be suitable. However, for those who prefer a hands-on, operational engineering environment, this is ideal.
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Technical Skillset: The role requires a strong foundation in **electrical and mechanical maintenance**, with a particular emphasis on electrical fault finding and analysis. While a broad range of experience is advantageous (including mechanical principles, welding, machining, and PLCs), an electrical bias is preferred. Candidates should be prepared to potentially upskill or refresh their knowledge in areas like the current edition of IET Wiring Regulations and CMMS within their first year.
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Continuous Improvement Focus: Beyond reactive maintenance, the role actively involves contributing to **continuous improvement projects**. This is an excellent opportunity for engineers who are proactive, enjoy problem-solving, and are keen to optimize processes and machinery. Demonstrating an aptitude for identifying inefficiencies and proposing solutions will be key to success and career progression here.
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Health & Safety Emphasis: A solid background in **Health & Safety** is a prerequisite. Adherence to site SOPs and a strong understanding of Safety, Health, and Environmental legislation are critical, reflecting the company's commitment to a safe working environment.
This Shift Engineer role at Bakkavor Highbridge is more than just a job; it's an invitation to join a successful, growing company where your skills and dedication will be valued. If you are a motivated engineer ready to embrace challenges and contribute to a market-leading operation, this opportunity warrants serious consideration for your next career move.
