Reliability Engineer

Premier Foods Plc; Ashford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company in Ashford is seeking a Reliability Engineer to optimise maintenance strategies and ensure operational efficiency. The successful candidate will have a strong background in mechanical, electrical, and automation disciplines, with a relevant degree. This full-time role offers a salary between £55k and £57k annually, along with various employee benefits, including a generous pension contribution and staff discounts.

Benefits

Up to 7.5% pension contribution

Life assurance

Staff discount shop on site

Free on site parking

Access to discounts at nationwide retailers

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in analysing complex operational issues.
• Strong functional knowledge of food manufacturing & process equipment.
• Ability to demonstrate driving change in workplace processes.

Responsibilities

• Produce and optimise a timely maintenance programme.
• Conduct routine inspections to maintain operational efficiency.
• Provide effective maintenance plans for new equipment installations.

Skills

Strong knowledge of reliability principles

Problem-solving tools and techniques

Organisational/planning skills

Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and automation maintenance

Education

HNC / Degree in electrical / mechanical or automation disciplines

Tools

CMMS

Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM)

Risk Based Inspections (RBI)

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Job description

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Reliability Engineer

Date: 29 Sept 2025

Location: Ashford, GB

Job Title Reliability Engineer

Location Ashford, TN24 0LU

Salary £55k - £57k per annumdependant on experience

A full time, permanent opportunity has arisen at our Ashford site for a Senior Reliability Engineer to join the team. You will be responsible for determining and providing the correct maintenance strategy for the site equipment; this involves optimising preventative and proactive maintenance against reliability and cost objectives.

The successful candidate will:

• Produce and optimise a timely and deliverable cost effective maintenance programme for your manufacturing function to optimise the reliability of all electrical and mechanical assets

Develop and implem maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability

Utilise Reliability Engineering tools such as CMMS, Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM), Risk Based Inspections (RBI), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), PM Plan optimisation's, equipment history analysis, failure predictions, predictive maintenance techniques and other to maximise equipment reliability.

Conduct routine inspections of equipment and systems to maintain operational efficiency, identifying faults and implementing corrective actions to minimise downtime.

Act as the lead for escalating maintenance or breakdown support from OEM’s

Support the engineering and manufacturing functions ensuring maximum utilisation of engineering equipment in order to achieve KPIs and optimal line efficiency within the company safety, quality & environmental policies.

Provide technical input into the design and installation of new equipment and provide effective maintenance plans (including technical docs, Maintenance Operating Procedures), in the delivery of the Site Capital Plan

Support future CAPEX plan development through analysis of machine obsolescence programme

What we need from you:

• HNC / Degree in electrical / mechanical or Automation disciplines.

Strong functional knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical and Automation maintenance and be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of food manufacturing (mixing / packing) & Process equipment.

Understanding of Original Equipment Manufacturer Asset Care guidance

A broad knowledge of the asset care systems and be able to demonstrate strong organisational/planning skills relevant to planning overhaul activity and machine upgrades

Ability to demonstrate driving change and implementing new ways of working.

Strong knowledge of reliability principles and maintenance strategies.

Able to demonstrate the use of problem solving tools and techniques

Demonstrated experience in analysing complex operational issues

What we offer in return:

• Up to 7.5% pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Staff discount shop on site
• Free on site parking
• Access to "The Hamper", with discounts at hundreds of nationwide retailers
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and Other Health & Wellbeing Benefits
• Sharesave Scheme

The Next Step...

Click apply via our website and upload your CV