Maintenance Engineer - Level 1

Who are we, and what do we do?

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We are looking for a highly competent and motivated Maintenance Engineer to join our Engineering Team at our Brackley site. The role is factory based, working in a fast‑paced, dynamic FMCG factory environment that is noisy and refrigerated in some areas, manufacturing short shelf‑life products where hygiene standards are critical. You will work 4 on 4 off rotating days and nights: 07:00 - 19:00 & 19:00 - 07:00
.

• Ensure maintenance is carried out in line with the schedule and that corrective action is taken effectively.
• Respond quickly and effectively to breakdowns in the designated area, identify root causes and suggest improvements to prevent recurrence.
• Communicate unscheduled breakdowns to the Engineering Shift Manager / Principal Engineer and work with operations to minimise plant disruption.
• Follow good engineering and hygiene standards within the department.
• Ensure all activities comply with company and legislative health and safety guidelines, highlighting improvement opportunities.
• Report health and safety, animal welfare and environmental issues in a timely manner.
• Follow the escalation route for unscheduled plant downtime and minimise downtime by applying good engineering practice.
• Use basic problem‑solving techniques to identify root causes.
• Submit stock and non‑stock request forms.

• Experience as a machine minder or technical operator.
• Desire to develop a career in engineering.
• Numeric and reasoning ability meeting entry‑level requirements for a technical apprenticeship (Functional skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy plus a pass score on the Technical Abilities Test).
• Practical ability to operate within an FMCG factory.
• Self‑motivated, able to multi‑task and thrive in a time‑driven environment.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Able to work individually or as part of a team.

• Engineering experience.
• Knowledge of machinery adjustments and typical breakdown causes.
• Capability to identify changes or irregularities that affect performance.
• Ability to complete inspection, measurement, cleaning and routine parts replacement maintenance.

• Up to £36,524.40 per annum.
• Shift allowance £8030 per annum.
• 31 days holiday allowance.
• Secure contract with long‑term career development opportunities.
• Straightforward pension contribution of 3%.
• Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food.
• Staff shop / sales at discounted prices.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Discounted local gym membership.
• Salaried advance finance.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Access to an employee benefit scheme including remote GP appointments, mental health sessions, physiotherapy, medical second opinions and various discounts.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.