Automation Engineer

Welcome to Hovis. We are the proud guardians of over 130 years of baking experience that make up our iconic and much-loved brand. We produce bread and bakery products created with Hovis goodness at the heart of each. We deliver around 1.3million loaves, every day of the week throughout the UK and Ireland, where we also make Mothers Pride and Ormo products.

We are 2,800 people working within 8 bakeries, 1 flour mill, and 2 regional distribution centres across the UK. Our success is a result of the hard work of our people; they are experts in their field whether it’s baking, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, or the many departments within the central functions team based in our head office in High Wycombe. We are a values-led business and expect our colleagues to live, breathe, and embed Quality, Accountability, and Trust into their ways of working.

We’re looking for a Controls Engineer to take ownership of automation across one of our largest manufacturing sites.

Working as part of the Engineering team, you’ll be responsible for maintaining, improving and developing our automated production systems. This is a hands-on role where you’ll combine PLC programming, fault finding and project work to improve reliability, reduce downtime and support future automation projects.

If you enjoy solving technical problems and making lasting improvements rather than simply firefighting breakdowns, we’d love to hear from you.

• Programming and modifying Modicon and Rockwell PLCs
• Diagnosing and resolving complex automation and controls faults
• Supporting production during major breakdowns and technical issues
• Delivering automation improvement and capital projects
• Optimising existing control systems to improve reliability and efficiency
• Working closely with Engineering and Production teams to deliver continuous improvements
• Supporting the introduction of new equipment and automation technologies

• Experience as a Controls or Automation Engineer within manufacturing
• Strong PLC programming and fault-finding skills
• Experience with Siemens and/or Allen Bradley PLCs
• Knowledge of industrial control systems, drives, HMIs and instrumentation
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Electrical qualification (or equivalent experience)

• Hands-on and technically challenging
• Focused on automation and continuous improvement
• A mix of project work and production support
• An opportunity to make a real impact on site performance

All colleagues can choose from a wide range of benefits in addition to salaries, based on their individual needs.

• Three levels of pension scheme to choose from - employer contribution of up to 7.5%
• Aviva Digi Care+ Workplace App includes: 'at home' Annual Health Check, Digital GP consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinions and much more
• Enhanced parental leave (and flexibility where possible to suit your needs)
• Access to funded physiotherapy sessions
• Wellbeing support and campaigns to help you stay active and healthy, be financially prepared, and support your mental wellbeing
• Opt in plans for money back towards the cost of opticians, dentist, physiotherapist and more
• A benefits platform for all, Hovis Choice:
  • £££ Savings and cashback offers on day-to-day spending
  • Eyecare vouchers
  • Cycle to work scheme