Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.
As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.
To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact
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Site Introduction
The Wigston site, with a heritage dating back to 1895, is renowned for its long-standing tradition in biscuit production and its evolution through various ownerships, now proudly part of pladis Global. The site is home to a diverse and multicultural workforce, comprising 194 employees. The team is represented by the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Trade Union and is committed to inclusivity and diversity at every level. Wigston’s culture emphasises pride in its people, a collaborative spirit, and a dedication to delivering high-quality products enjoyed nationwide, all while fostering an environment where diversity and long service are celebrated.
What will this role achieve?
Our Site Engineering Manager role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference at our Wigston manufacturing site! In this pivotal senior management position, you will drive performance improvements building on the foundations that are already in place, lead on major modernisation projects, manage multi-million-pound budgets and support the sustainability goals of the site.
We are looking for an inclusive and forward-thinking Site Engineering Manager to lead our Engineering team of approx. 16 in setting the engineering strategy and leading on all engineering activities, all while fostering a world-class engineering culture.
Working with some of the UK’s most loved biscuit assortments, you’ll play a key leadership role; contributing to our overall site strategy as part of the leadership team reporting into the Factory General Manager.
What will be your key deliverables?
As the Site Engineering Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Your leadership will ensure the engineering function is efficient, compliant, and future-ready. Key objectives include:
- Lead the development and execution of a progressive engineering strategy that delivers cost efficiency, flexibility, and high team engagement, while adapting to evolving business needs.
- Champion professional growth and compliance by implementing structured development programmes and ensuring adherence to all legislative, health, safety, and environmental standards.
- Optimise resources and operational performance through effective inventory management, maintenance planning, and integration of skilled personnel, alongside robust control of maintenance and capital expenditure budgets.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks for engineering activities, including safe working practices, contractor management, asset lifecycle oversight, and competence assessment, fostering a strong safety-first culture.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to maximise plant productivity and sustainability, ensuring reliable provision of essential services and planning for future equipment, processes, and systems aligned with business objectives.
Bring your experience!
Essential
- Ability to lead and inspire diverse teams through an inclusive and collaborative approach.
- Qualified via recognised apprenticeship routes (e.g., City & Guilds or NVQ Level 3).
- Proven background in engineering within the FMCG sector.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve issues effectively and constructively.
- Experience in delivering engineering change projects and driving successful outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to manage budgets responsibly and efficiently. Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with a track record of engaging stakeholders at all organisational levels.
- Confident and considered decision-maker who understands the commercial impact of choices.
- Experience working collaboratively within a multi-functional senior leadership team.
- Proven ability to deliver performance improvements with a continuous improvement mindset.
Desirable
- Experience of Engineering leadership within in food manufacturing
- Experience of capital project allocation & delivery
What will the interview process be?
- Stage 1: 45-minute competency-based interview via Teams, focused on our leadership style, values and your experience.
- Online Leadership Questionnaire
- Stage 2: 90-minute site visit including a presentation and Q&A with members of the pladis team.
We aim to make the process accessible and inclusive for all candidates. If you need adjustments, please let us know.
pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!
What does pladis offer you?
- Annual Car allowance, paid monthly, with optional Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) – this is the business’s annual bonus scheme.
- Private medical Insurance
- Stakeholder Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
- 25 days + bank holidays
- Holiday Enhancement Scheme
- 1 Volunteering Day per year
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discount and Cashback Scheme – make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial Wellbeing Support
- Access to great training and development opportunities
Our Values
Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite
Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.
Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better
Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward
Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together
Best mix of ingredients
pladis is an equal opportunities employer. Like every great recipe, we’re a thoughtful mix—a happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and communities worldwide. Every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. We support diverse perspectives through Employee Resource Groups such as BeingShe, BeingAble, BeingUnited, BeingProud, and our Neurodiversity Network. We also offer mentorship through the pladis Mentoring Scheme, have site-based Women’s Networks, and support initiatives like Women in Engineering.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform key job functions, and access benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.
We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.
