Maintenance Engineer / Maintenance Technician

Global Highland is recruiting on behalf of our client, a food production business, for a practical and reliable Maintenance Engineer / Maintenance Technician to support the smooth and efficient running of its packhouse operations. This can either be a full time or part time position with a minimum of 20 hours for the right candidate.

The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out routine maintenance, repairs, inspections and servicing of factory machinery, production equipment and site facilities. Working closely with production and quality teams, you will help minimise equipment breakdowns, reduce downtime and ensure that all machinery operates safely and efficiently while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and workplace safety.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a hands-on maintenance background who enjoys problem-solving and working in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Machinery Maintenance and Repairs

Carry out routine inspections, servicing and preventative maintenance of factory machinery and equipment.

Diagnose faults and respond to breakdowns across production and packing lines.

Maintain conveyors, grading machines, packing machines, labelling equipment, weighing scales and other packhouse machinery.

Identify potential mechanical or electrical faults and report issues before they result in production downtime.

Assist with the installation, adjustment and commissioning of new equipment.

Respond promptly to maintenance requests from production supervisors.

Preventative Maintenance

Follow planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules.

Maintain accurate records of inspections, servicing, repairs and spare parts used.

Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and reduce recurring breakdowns.

Ensure tools, spare parts and maintenance equipment are kept in good condition and readily available.

Health, Safety and Food Safety

Comply with all company health and safety procedures, risk assessments and safe systems of work.

Follow approved machinery isolation and lockout/tagout procedures before carrying out maintenance.

Maintain clean, organised and hazard-free maintenance areas.

Ensure maintenance activities do not compromise product safety, packaging integrity or hygiene standards.

Prevent contamination from tools, lubricants, metal fragments, loose components and maintenance materials.

Follow site procedures for food-grade lubricants, chemical handling and foreign-body prevention.

Report accidents, near misses, unsafe conditions and equipment defects promptly.

Production Support

Work closely with production supervisors and operators to minimise disruption to packing operations.

Respond to emergency breakdowns and prioritise repairs based on production requirements and safety risks.

Test equipment and confirm it is safe before returning it to production.

Communicate equipment issues, repair progress and anticipated downtime to relevant teams.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Building and Facilities Maintenance

Carry out basic repairs and inspections of factory buildings, doors, lighting, floors, drainage and other facilities within your level of competence.

Monitor the condition of refrigeration, ventilation, compressed-air systems and other site services, where applicable.

Identify and report major defects requiring specialist attention or external contractors.

Teamwork and Reporting

Work collaboratively with production, quality assurance and health and safety teams.

Complete maintenance checklists, work orders and handover reports accurately.

Escalate major faults, recurring issues and equipment safety concerns to management.

Follow company policies, procedures and reasonable instructions from supervisors.

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will have:

Previous experience in factory, warehouse, food production or packhouse maintenance, although this is desirable rather than essential.

Practical knowledge of mechanical systems, including conveyors, motors, bearings, belts and production machinery.

Basic electrical knowledge, with electrical work undertaken only by appropriately competent and authorised personnel.

The ability to identify faults, troubleshoot problems and carry out repairs safely and efficiently.

Good problem-solving and communication skills.

The ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Strong attention to detail and a commitment to food safety, hygiene and workplace safety.

Good organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.

Relevant engineering or maintenance qualifications, which would be advantageous.

General Responsibilities

All employees are expected to comply with company policies, food safety requirements, hygiene standards and health and safety procedures. You will be required to work responsibly, maintain high professional standards and contribute to a safe, clean and efficient production environment