Specialist Food Manufacturing Recruitment
ATA Recruitment is a leading food manufacturing recruitment agency with decades of experience supporting the UK's most dynamic and demanding FMCG environments. We’ve built a strong reputation in the food production sector by delivering high-quality permanent and contract candidates who help drive operational success.
Food manufacturing is one of the UK's largest industrial markets. Serving national retailers and food service clients requires exceptional quality, speed, and reliability in operations. Our recruitment experts understand these demands and support businesses in maintaining high OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), meeting compliance standards, and hiring for growth.
Our Approach to Food Manufacturing Recruitment
Our team understands how downtime can impact output and profitability. That’s why we provide fast, accurate recruitment solutions tailored to your operations. Whether you're looking for a permanent team leader or a contract engineer for a peak season ramp-up, we deliver dependable candidates - on time.
We maintain a robust talent pool of engineers, managers, and operational leaders, pre-screened and ready for work across the UK. We offer:
- Contingency recruitment for urgent roles
- Retained search for senior and strategic hires
- Contractor deployment for short- or medium-term projects
OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
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Permanent Recruitment
Maintenance Engineer
Maintenance Team Leader
Service Engineer
Controls Engineer
Project Engineer
Project Manager
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Health and Safety Advisor
Production Manager
Production Team Leader
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Contract Recruitment
Maintenance Engineer
Maintenance Team Leader
Controls Engineer
Project Engineer
Project Manager
Continuous Improvement Engineer
Health and Safety Advisor
Production Manager
Production Team Leader
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Interim Recruitment
Maintenance Manager
Engineering Manager
Chief Engineer
Production Manager
Project Manager
Operations Manager
Health and Safety Manager
Plant Manager
Site Director
Engineering Director
Operations Director
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ATA Search
Engineering Manager
Operations Manager
Quality Manager
Production Manager
Plant Manager
General Manager
Engineering Director
Technical Director
Operations Director
Managing Director
Latest Jobs In Food (FMCG)
Maintenance Engineer
£57750 - 57750 per year EXCELLENT BENEFITS + O.T.
Rochester
Role: Maintenance Engineer Shift: 4 on 4 off Salary: Up to £57,750 (+ Overtime available) Location: Rochester The Company Are you interested in a company that actively analyses your skillset, and puts their engineers on college courses to upskill? Would you like to establish yourself as part of a growing maintenance function? Our client is a key industry player who package and distribute wholesale products. They supply their services to the biggest UK supermarkets in the world such as Sainsbury’s, Lidl etc. This company has consistently invested in new production lines, equipment, machinery and Continuous Improvement projects for you to get working on. They are looking for another motivated Maintenance Engineer to get started and make an impression to unlock future development! The Role As a Maintenance Engineer, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Fault finding on electrical components such as sensors, relays, contactors, inverters etc. Repairing mechanical components such as bearings, sprockets, shafts, rollers etc. Working on conveyors, flow wrappers, packaging machines, shrink wrappers etc. Operating as a team to confidently perform reactive and planned maintenance Promote and enforce a culture of Continuous Improvement About You The ideal Maintenance Engineer will have the following: A recognised engineering qualification Experience with, or a flexible mindset for, working effectively within a team An open attitude to working in any type of industry A sound understanding of key electrical and mechanical components Company Benefits The company also discloses numerous benefits for the role of Maintenance Engineer which include: Excellent training – be sent to college, travelling abroad for OEM training etc. A healthy matched company pension contribution Retail discounts Company paid for training courses <23 shifts of holiday allowance Free on-site parking ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
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Maintenance Engineer
£60000 - 65000 per year Security, progression and more
Edgware
Role: Maintenance Engineer Location: North London Shifts: 2 days 2 nights 4 off Salary: £60,000 - £65,000, Overtime, progression and more The Role ATA Recruitment is proud to be working in partnership with an industry-leading manufacturer operating across four sites in the UK. Their North London facility is the flagship site, playing a key role in the company’s continued success. With an annual turnover exceeding £50 million, the business supplies many of the UK’s leading supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and cafés, offering strong job security backed by a company established in the early 1990s.The site operates a high-quality, end-to-end manufacturing process, utilising bespoke equipment throughout. While certain areas are fully automated, the facility also incorporates hand-crafted machinery to add detailed finishing and design elements, ensuring the premium quality of the final product remains consistent. They are now looking to recruit a Maintenance Engineer at their North London site, following the appointment of a new General Manager who is focused on strengthening the engineering function and increasing headcount to drive a more proactive maintenance culture. In the longer term, this approach will create opportunities for engineers to become more involved in improvement projects, continuous improvement (CI) initiatives, and site development work, rather than operating purely in a reactive environment. The Responsibilities As a Maintenance Engineer you will - Be responsible for reacting to breakdowns on site and performing PPMs on all machinery on site - Maintaining all machinery onsite including process machinery, packaging machines, Conveyors, Mills, Metal detectors and more - Mechanical day to day tasks including Bearings, Rollers, Belts, Gearboxes, Shafts, Pulleys and more - Electrically working on Contactors, relays, Three phase motors and more The Requirements As a Maintenance Engineer you need - A recognised engineering qualification - To be able to work as part of an team but also be comfortable lone working when needed to - Experience working in a fast paced environment (FMCG desirable) - Comfortable working safely but efficiently electrically and mechanically The Package As a Maintenance Engineer you will receive - An annual salary of between £60,000 - £65,000 per annum - Potential progression route up into an Engineering Manager role over time - A pension contribution from my client - Onsite training - Chance to gain exposure and looking into projects and CI work - Security within your role - ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
£45710 - 45710 per year (£60k+ OTE), 6% pension, healthcare, Monday-Friday, 07:30-15:30, 6% pension and other benefits!
Birmingham
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer, £45,710 (£60k+ OTE), 6% pension, healthcare, OT paid at 1.5x weekdays and 2x weekends with career progression and training opportunities! Shift – Monday to Friday (07:30-15:30) About the company: We are currently working alongside one of the largest corrugated packaging manufacturers worldwide who are a market leader in their field. The company operates in over 40 countries with more than 100,000 employees and are publicly listed on the trading market. About the role This is a fantastic opportunity for a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer to join one of the largest packaging manufacturers in the world. The successful candidate will be able to work with all mechanical systems and components on the site and ensure a smooth manufacturing process. Responsibilities will include: To tend to reactive and planned maintenance, ensuring the smooth running of the site. To fault-find mechanically, and the upkeep of the Maintenance workshop. A good working knowledge of all mechanical systems (pneumatics, hydraulics, bearings, belts, gearboxes and more. To have a good understanding of continuous improvement techniques and for this to reflect in the maintenance of the machinery. To document all of your maintenance work on the CMMS and to upkeep company standards The ideal candidate will have an Mechanical bias. About you: To be considered for the Maintenance Engineer position, you should have the following: Ideally, have experience within a heavy industry environment. To be the subject matter expert on any Mechanical issues that may arise. Due to the nature of the work, you should be happy to work to food safety as well as health and safety requirements. Ideally be educated to a Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering To have initiative when solving problems and a knack for fixing issues. Why join our client? To progress through the ranks with tonnes of internal opportunities An employee-first approach with clear routes of progression. Regular salary reviews as well as unlimited overtime opportunities. If you want to hear more about becoming a Maintenance Engineer at this industry leading group, then please press apply or give Karolis a call on 07796 990 423, alternatively drop me an email on karolis.stenas@ata-recruitment.co.uk ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£50000 - 50000 per year DOUBLE PAY + FREE FOOD + EXCELLENT TRAINING
South Hornchurch
Role: Maintenance Engineer Shift: Panamas Days and Nights Salary: £50,000 (+ O.T. 1.5 and 2.0) Location: South Hornchurch The Company Would you like to take advantage of numerous company benefits such as free food and drink? Have you wanted to take the plunge into plentiful training to upskill? Our client is a very large, internationally renowned food manufacturer! They supply their services to recognised entities such as Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Wetherspoons etc. This company has invested millions in a new production line, brand-new machinery and is looking to upscale that by investing millions again in another production line; despite already being established, they are continually growing. They are looking for another motivated Maintenance Engineer to take advantage of what they have to offer! The Role As a Maintenance Engineer, your responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Working electrically on sensors, relays, contactors, control panel fault finding, three phase kit etc. Dealing with mechanical components such as bearings, belts, sprockets, gearboxes, chain drives, pulley systems etc. Perform reactive and planned maintenance as part of a team About You The ideal Maintenance Engineer will have the following: A recognised engineering qualification Experience with, or a flexible mindset for, working effectively within a team An open attitude to working in any type of industry A sound understanding of key mechanical and electrical components Company Benefits The company also discloses numerous benefits for the role of Maintenance Engineer which include: Free food and drink in the company canteen, along with a select range of unreleased products you can try first! Medical cash plan including dental, eye tests etc. A strong budget dedicated solely for personalised on-site training, applied from your very first day A healthy company pension contribution Club membership with exclusive social activity perks including wine tasting, go-karting etc. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£55000 - 58000 per year Security, progression and more
Edgware
Role: Maintenance Engineer Location: North London Shifts: 2 days 2 nights 4 off Salary: £55,000 - £58,000, Overtime, progression and more The Role ATA Recruitment are proud to be working with an industry leading client within their respective industry, with 4 sites across the UK, this site in North London is their flagship site in the UK. With north of £50 million turnover annually and providing some of the UKs leading supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and cafes there is plenty of security in this role with the establishment of the company in the early 90s. With bespoke equipment from start to finish within the high quality manufacturing process, there is some fully automated areas of site but also some hand craft machines on the site also to add detailing and design to maintain the high quality product they continue to deliver. They are looking to recruit a Maintenance Engineer at their site in North London due to a new General Manager taking over and wanting to increase the head count moving forward to make the site more proactive. Long term this could include more time for projects and CI work etc. The Responsibilities As a Maintenance Engineer you will - Be responsible for reacting to breakdowns on site and performing PPMs on all machinery on site - Maintaining all machinery onsite including process machinery, packaging machines, Conveyors, Mills, Metal detectors and more - Mechanical day to day tasks including Bearings, Rollers, Belts, Gearboxes, Shafts, Pulleys and more - Electrically working on Contactors, relays, Three phase motors and more The Requirements As a Maintenance Engineer you need - A recognised engineering qualification - To be able to work as part of an team but also be comfortable lone working when needed to - Experience working in a fast paced environment (FMCG desirable) - Comfortable working safely but efficiently electrically and mechanically The Package As a Maintenance Engineer you will receive - An annual salary of between £55,000 - £58,000 per annum - Potential progression route up into an Engineering Manager role over time - A pension contribution from my client - Onsite training - Chance to gain exposure and looking into projects and CI work - Security within your role ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Continuous Improvement Manager
£60000 - 65000 per year Pension + Healthcare
Leicester
Continuous Improvement Manager – Manufacturing Leicester £65,000 7% Matched Pension Private medical healthcare Profit related pay Driving operational excellence across people, process, and performance As a specialist recruitment consultant within the manufacturing and FMCG sector, I’m currently partnering with a large, well-established UK manufacturing group to appoint a Continuous Improvement Manager. This is a high-impact role within a complex, high-volume manufacturing operation supplying major retail customers. The opportunity Reporting into senior operations leadership, the Continuous Improvement Manager will play a pivotal role in improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost across the sites. You’ll lead structured improvement initiatives on the shop floor, working closely with production, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to deliver measurable, long-term results. Key responsibilities Lead and deliver CI initiatives across manufacturing operations and shop-floor environments Embed Lean manufacturing principles (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, SMED, VSM) Drive improvements in OEE, waste reduction, throughput, and right-first-time metrics Coach and develop site leadership and operators in problem-solving and CI tools Facilitate Kaizen events and structured improvement workshops Use data and KPIs to identify opportunities, track benefits, and sustain gains Support cultural change by embedding CI into daily management systems About you Proven experience in a Continuous Improvement / Lean role within manufacturing Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and shop-floor dynamics Formal CI qualification (Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or equivalent) preferred Confident influencing production teams and senior stakeholders alike Hands-on, pragmatic, and comfortable spending time on the factory floor Why this role? From a recruitment standpoint, this is a rare opportunity to join a manufacturing business that is genuinely committed to continuous improvement — not just in theory, but in daily practice. The role offers visibility, autonomy, and the chance to shape how CI is embedded across the operation. If you’re a Continuous Improvement Manager in manufacturing looking for a role where your impact will be seen, measured, and valued, I’d be keen to speak with you confidentially. How to apply: Please click “apply” or for further information, please contact Andy Crewe at ATA Recruitment, or alternatively please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to andy.crewe@ata-recruitment.co.uk ATA Recruitment specialises in technical & engineering positions from entry level up to Director level appointments. Please look at our website for further potential opportunities which may suit your skills and experience. If you have the skills, we have the recruitment knowledge and together we can help find you your ideal job – REF: Continuous Improvement Manager ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Multi-Skilled Maintenance
£54000 - 54000 per year £2,000 Bonus + Great Training and Progression
Holywell
Are you an engineer who has an interest in progression whether that's into a leadership role or controls engineer role? Are you a mechanically biased engineer looking for the opportunity to train electrically or an Electrical Enigneer looking for progression into automation roles? Then I have the role for you. This company offer the opportunity for further qualifications, PLC programming courses (Fully Funded) and other advanced training courses. Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer Salary: £54,000 + up to £2,000 annual bonus Shifts: 4 on / 4 off (Days and Nights) Benefits: 5% company pension contribution, 25 shift holiday days, tailored training & development plans Our client is a well-established manufacturing business that continues to invest heavily in both its people and its facilities. Most recently, they’ve committed over £4 million to install a brand-new production line — and they are now seeking a skilled Maintenance Engineer to join their team. The Role This is a fantastic opportunity to join a modern site with cutting-edge equipment. As a Multi-Skilled Maintenance Engineer, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that production machinery and systems run reliably and efficiently. Working on a 4 on / 4 off shift pattern, you’ll carry out both planned and reactive maintenance while supporting continuous improvement across the plant. Key Responsibilities Carrying out planned and reactive maintenance across mechanical and electrical systems Diagnosing and resolving breakdowns quickly to minimise downtime Supporting the commissioning and ongoing performance of the new line Collaborating with production teams to enhance reliability and efficiency Contributing to site-wide continuous improvement projects Candidate Profile Minimum HNC qualification (or equivalent) in engineering Proven background in an FMCG manufacturing environment Confident fault-finding across both electrical and mechanical disciplines Proactive, problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement Strong team player with excellent communication skills What’s On Offer £54,000 base salary plus up to £2,000 annual bonus 4 on / 4 off shift pattern for strong work-life balance 5% company pension contribution 25 shift holiday days Tailored training and development plans The chance to work on a modern site following a £6m investment This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward-thinking manufacturer that values its people and offers long-term career growth. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
Maintenance Engineer
£50108 - 50108 per year profit related pay, private healtchare, 7% pension and more!
Leicester
Maintenance Engineer, £50,108, profit related pay, 7% pension contribution, private healthcare and more great benefits! Shift – Panama Days (06:00-18:00) About the company: The company we are currently in partnership with is market leading in their sector and operate across the whole of the UK. Established over 100+ years ago, our client is a family business which has now grown to over 12 sites across the country, all operating with a different focus. Our client is constantly looking to increase, improve and initiate positive change fuelled by investment and acquisition to broaden their product portfolio. Our client is community-driven. At the forefront of their mission statement is ensuring that everything local to them thrives to its full extent. As well as this, every decision they make business related is taken in mind with the environmental impact it may have. About the role This is a fantastic opportunity for a Maintenance Engineer to join one of the largest as well as one of most stable companies in the FMCG sector. Due to growth and demand from the customers, the opportunity for a Maintenance Engineer has arisen. The successful Maintenance Engineer will have the opportunity to grow into leadership positions, as well as having real recognition for the effort they make in the workplace. Responsibilities will include: To ensure that all PPM’s are carried out as per schedule and are accurately recorded. To perform reactive maintenance and ensure the swift resolution of any problems or issues. To take ownership of looking after the workshop. To ensure the smooth running of the facility through proactive maintenance. To be able to fault-find on a range of automated systems in a fast paced environment. Working on PLC systems – I/O’s The ideal candidate will have an electrical bias. About you: To be considered for the Maintenance Engineer position, you should have the following: Experience in working within a fast paced manufacturing environment. Due to the nature of the work, you should be happy to work to food safety as well as health and safety requirements. Educated to a minimum of a Level 3 in an electrical field. Why join our client? To progress through the ranks with tonnes of internal opportunities An employee-first approach with clear routes of progression. Regular salary reviews as well as unlimited overtime opportunities. If you want to hear more about becoming a Maintenance Engineer at this industry leading group, then please press apply or give Karolis a call on 07796 990 423, alternatively drop me an email on karolis.stenas@ata-recruitment.co.uk ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation
Apply now
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
"I have been working with ATA Recruitment for the last 5 years on Engineering roles for the Group. This is a challenging market but ATA Recruitment manage to find me some great candidates. I also like their approach which means that I am kept informed and they can provide me with valuable insight into the market that we are working in. Having agencies that you truly can work in partnership with means that we feel well represented and know that we can rely on support when needed."
Engineering Manager, Samworth Brothers
"I know without a doubt that the calibre of candidate that ATA Recruitment puts forward will be outstanding. As well as this, I have been very meticulous and demanding with the person/specification of the Engineers I have asked ATA Recruitment to recruit for me, not only to fit the role from a competency prospective but to have the right attitude. Given a lean market when it comes to Engineers, let alone the requirements I have set, ATA Recruitment always deliver more than expected.”
Engineering Manager, Samworth Brothers