Maintenance Engineer

About the Opportunity **Late shift - 5pm to 2am**

Maintain all machinery and equipment to ensure high performance levels and ensure compliance with health and safety requirements. Contribute towards the design and implementation of schedules for preventative maintenance to reduce downtime and effects on productions. To ensure all regular checks are kept up to date and all relevant paper work is kept updated and stored correctly. To ensure the work shop is kept to the correct standard , and the storing of all chemicals – liquids are stored correctly. Responsibilities

As a Maintenance Engineer at Driscoll's Maidstone, you will play a key role in ensuring our site, equipment, and processes meet the highest operational, health and safety, and quality standards. You will be responsible for maintaining machinery, designing preventative maintenance schedules, and ensuring all records and checks are completed and stored correctly. Your work directly contributes to product safety, legality, authenticity, and quality—protecting our brand integrity and supporting a safe, efficient working environment.

• Ensure the Driscoll's Maidstone site is maintained to a high standard. Maintain all machinery and equipment to ensure high performance levels and compliance with health and safety requirements.

• Design and implement preventative maintenance schedules to minimise downtime and protect product quality.

• Keep all regular checks up to date and ensure all relevant paperwork is accurately completed and correctly stored.

• Maintain the workshop to the required standard and ensure proper storage of all chemicals and liquids.

• Ensure all work meets the standards of product safety, legality, quality, authenticity, and brand integrity according to site policies and procedures.

• Maintain high standards of health & safety, hygiene, and site security, and adhere to environmental practices.

• Demonstrate Driscoll's values of passion, humility, and trustworthiness in all interactions.

    Candidate Profile

We are seeking a skilled and proactive Maintenance Engineer who can combine technical expertise with strong communication and organisational abilities. You will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and take initiative in resolving issues and improving performance.

• Extensive experience in a similar role, preferably within the soft fruit industry.
• Strong understanding of business needs and a resourceful approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to communicate professionally and credibly with key client personnel.
• Excellent personal and written communication skills, with the ability to connect with employees across the business.
• Creativity and the ability to think innovatively.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team across professional, operational, and cultural boundaries.
• Proactive response to service requests and a hands-on approach to tasks.
• Ability to identify issues and recommend pragmatic, risk-aware solutions.
• Strong time management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Good IT skills, including experience with Word and Excel.

You will take ownership of the day-to-day engineering needs of the site, ensuring machinery is functioning effectively to support productivity. This involves conducting routine checks, coordinating with suppliers, supporting contractors, and continuously identifying opportunities to improve performance and reduce downtime.

• Regularly assess the site and carry out necessary remedial works.
• Perform daily checks on packhouse machinery to prevent downtime and maintain productivity.
• Conduct scheduled maintenance activities in line with the maintenance programme.
• Liaise with external suppliers to source engineering support or manage call-out requests.
• Demonstrate a flexible and proactive approach to workload management.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels of spare parts and materials to support timely repairs.
• Act as point of contact for contractors working on site and provide necessary assistance.
• Train, mentor, and pass on key skills to line staff to ensure optimal machine operation and compliance with health & safety standards.
• Identify training needs for machine operators to reduce malfunctions and improve efficiency.
• Stay informed on new technologies and evaluate new machinery concepts where relevant.
• Undertake ad hoc duties as required.

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