Engineering Shift Manager

About Avara Foods

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to major supermarkets and well‑known restaurants. We own and manage our entire supply chain from farms to factory all the way to the customer, with major processing sites across England and an agricultural network of over 350 farms.

We are looking for a highly competent and motivated Engineering Shift Manager to join our Engineering Team at our Brackley site in Northamptonshire. The role is both factory and office based, working a 4 on 4 off rotating shift schedule (07:00‑19:00 and 19:00‑07:00) in a fast‑paced, dynamic FMCG factory environment.

• Lead and manage a shift of Engineers and Apprentices, recording all necessary administrative requirements for basic and overtime hours.
• Ensure on‑shift engineering performance of fast‑moving production lines and wider factory engineering activities with due consideration for safe plant operations. Assess all aspects of maintenance procedures and maintain a safe working environment.
• Ensure correct set‑up and shut‑down of equipment and performance at the required output.
• Maintain delivery of agreed SLA standards where appropriate.
• Account for and record stock used in support of machinery; request replacement parts and source additional parts as required, liaising closely with the REACT store manager, Engineering Planner and Engineering Operations Manager.
• Control and manage the tools allocated to the shift.
• Maintain the workshop and outside areas to high standard, ensuring regular checks and satisfactory feedback from GMP audits.
• Identify and address training and development needs of the team through regular 1‑2‑1s, agreeing Personal Development Plans and formally recording meetings.
• Review data on equipment effectiveness, PMs and coordinate the inclusion of jobs on weekend or daily plans.
• Lead and support improvement projects and initiatives.
• Produce Engineering Shift Reports.
• Issue permits through SINICA and Contractor Management while on‑site.

• Minimum HNC certification or Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with process machinery or equivalent equipment and the ability to fault‑find.
• Self‑motivated attitude with the ability to multi‑task and thrive in a timeline‑driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to make effective decisions under time pressure and motivate a team to deliver consistently high performance.
• Demonstrated understanding of maintenance strategy and practical hands‑on engineering experience.
• Desirable qualifications: NEBOSH or IOSH, IEE 17th or 18th Edition.
• Desirable experience: instrumentation and process control, PLC, refrigeration.

• £53,154.12 per annum
• Shift Allowance £8,030.00 per annum
• 31 days holiday allowance
• Secure contract with long‑term career development opportunities
• Employer pension contribution of up to 6%
• Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food
• Staff shop with discounted prices
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted local gym membership
• Salaried Advance Finance
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, which includes remote GP appointments, mental health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second opinion consultation and additional discounts on weekly costs.

After you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted in due course to discuss your application and CV further. If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.