Energy, Utilities and Services Lead

Location : Cookstown

Job Ref: UDF/2025/526

Employment : Full-Time Permanent

Closing Date : 10 November :00 pm

Dale Farm Cooperative is a UK dairy farmer co-operative owned by over 1200 dairy farmers who supply us with fresh milk. Dale Farm has operations throughout the UK and Ireland producing and distributing a wide range of dairy products which it sells across the UK and Ireland as well as exporting to over 45 countries worldwide.

At Dale Farm virtually every career discipline is represented in our workforce, from production, engineering and distribution, to sales & marketing and food technology/quality assurance, to Finance, HR and IT through to general management. Our standards are high and when we recruit we are looking for those with energy and drive, who are keen for responsibility and motivated to succeed with a record of achievement and with the potential to develop as the company grows.

Culture

Our culture is based on setting best in class standards, working to-wards and delivering on committed objectives, striving for constant improvement and involving everyone in the company. We strive to develop our people and harness everyone's contribution to deliver a winning team.

Equal Opportunities

The company is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to a safe, inclusive and relationship based workspace.

Benefits

In return, we offer a high degree of responsibility, plenty of challenge, good opportunities for learning and personal development and rewarding benefit packages, all within a fast moving and results oriented environment.

Energy, Utilities and Services Lead

About the Role

To optimise the reliability and cost performance of site services and utilities to include but not limited to steam generation and distribution systems, water and effluent treatment systems, compressed air, refrigeration and heat pump plant and LV electrical systems.

You will take responsibility and accountability for managing both preventative and reactive maintenance within site services and facilities. The role includes people management, energy and cost reporting whilst working in conjunction with other departments and Dale Farm group stakeholders to implement continuous improvement initiatives and energy improvement projects.

You will ensure site services compliance with all health and safety, food safety and environmental guidelines and that the service/inspection schedule is adhered to by both internal resource and by external contractors where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the coordination and execution of daily maintenance activities related to site services.
• Assume full responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the site services team, including oversight of annual leave, performance management, absence tracking, and training and development.
• Ensure all maintenance work meets the highest standards of quality and complies with site-specific quality requirements.
• Lead the ongoing development, implementation, and ownership of the Planned Maintenance Strategy for site services, encompassing both internal teams and external contractors, to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Conduct weekly analysis and reporting of site services and energy performance KPIs, proactively identifying and resolving key issues. Maintain and enhance the site's energy metering infrastructure and SCADA system.
• Manage the site services maintenance budget, including fixed service level agreements and ad-hoc expenditures.
• Develop and manage team competencies and training plans to ensure optimal performance and service delivery.
• Apply technical engineering expertise and initiative to support site operations and resolve challenges as they arise.
• Ensure all planned maintenance records, service reports, and technical documentation are accurate, complete, and up to date.

About the Person

Essential Criteria:

• Hold a third-level qualification in a relevant engineering discipline or possess a minimum of five years' recent, relevant industrial experience alongside a time-served apprenticeship.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise and lead an engineering function.

• Proven experience in managing service contracts and overseeing the day-to-day activities of external contractors.

• Strong people management and development capabilities, with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset and excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

• Confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of supporting and developing team members.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret data and implement energy-saving initiatives, while monitoring their effectiveness.
• High level of computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, SCADA systems, and Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Desirable Criteria:

• Proven experience in facilities management, including oversight of water and effluent treatment systems, refrigeration units, and steam boiler distribution networks.
• Strong understanding of facilities compliance legislation and industry guidelines, such as L8 Legionella and Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR).
• Demonstrated experience in implementing ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems or equivalent frameworks.
• Previous experience working within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector.

Learn more about the company and to apply online

Completed application forms must be received online before

5:00pm on Monday 10th November 2025

Only applications from EU Nationals or those with a valid permit to work in the UK will be accepted.

We are an equal opportunities employer

AMBITION | CURIOSITY | TEAMWORK | POSITIVITY | RESOLVE | ACCOUNTABILITY