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
£56086 - 56086 per year profit related pay, private healtchare, 7% pension and more!
Leicester
Maintenance Engineer, £56,086, profit related pay with bonus increasing year by year, 7% pension contribution, internal training, external qualification training. Shift – Panama Nights 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 Team Leader 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. Organising paperwork, as well as workload for all engineers on shift and to be able to plan this across the whole site. Liaising with all suppliers of stock to ensure that the on-site stock is sufficient and meets the needs of the business. To create development objectives for all Engineers under your leadership to ensure the Engineering department upholds the company standard. Motivation, as well as leadership of the Engineers on shift. The ideal candidate will have an electrical bias. About you: To be considered for the Maintenance Engineer position, you should have the following: Ideally experienced in a team leadership role but would look at up and coming Maintenance Engineers who are heavy on their initiative. To be the subject matter expert on any Electrical issues on shift and to be comfortable getting hands on. 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. To have initiative, as well as leadership skills. Why join our client? Training in PLC’s as well as food safety, health safety and other benefits with training. An employee-first approach with clear routes of progression into leadership positions. 40% of promotions are internal. 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
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Maintenance Engineer
£33 - 35 per hour
Evesham
Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer - Nights Location: Evesham Contract: 3-Month Rolling Contract Shifts: 4 on 4 off – 12hr Nights Rate: £33p/h - £35p/h – Outside IR35 The Role: We’re looking for a skilled Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer to join a busy food manufacturing site on a 3-month rolling contract. You’ll be responsible for ensuring machinery is running smoothly and efficiently across the site. Day-to-day responsibilities will include: Reactive maintenance and fault finding on a range of food production and packaging machinery Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) Component swaps and repairs on equipment such as conveyors, packaging machinery, cookers, slicers, pallets, and more The Ideal Candidate Will Have: Solid maintenance experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment A recognised engineering qualification (Apprenticeship or Level 3 NVQ/equivalent) Strong fault-finding and repair skills across a range of components A background working in food (preferred) What’s on Offer: Rolling 3-month contract 4 on 4 off shift pattern – 12hr nights Minimum 42 hours per week £33p/h - £35ph – Outside IR35 Immediate start available I am looking to speak to talented Multiskilled Maintenance Engineers who are seeking a rewarding and highly challenging position. For more information, please contact Fred O’Reilly on 07827 918 324 or email your CV to fred.oreilly@ata-recruitment.co.uk, Recruitment Specialist at ATA Recruitment. 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 - By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on 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
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Industrial Engineer
£35 - 35 per hour
Evesham
Industrial Engineer (Boiler & Refrigeration) Location: Commutable from Evesham, Cheltenham, Worcester Contract: 3-6 Month Rolling Contract Shifts: 4 on 4 off – 12hr Days & Nights (6–6) Rate: £35ph – Outside IR35 We’re looking for an experienced Industrial/Maintenance Engineer with boiler and refrigeration expertise to join a busy FMCG site on a 3-month rolling contract. You’ll play a key role in maintaining and improving critical utility systems, ensuring production runs smoothly and safely. Day-to-day responsibilities will include: Maintaining and repairing ammonia refrigeration systems, industrial boilers, glycol chillers, cooling towers, and compressed air systems Delivering effective planned and reactive maintenance across plant and utilities Responding to mechanical and electrical breakdowns quickly to support production Completing accurate shift reports, emails, and handovers Ensuring compliance with safety standards, permit-to-work systems, and food safety (HACCP) requirements Identifying and implementing improvements to increase reliability and efficiency Working closely with Engineering, Production, Admin, and Stores teams Requirements: 5+ years’ experience in FMCG or a similar fast-paced manufacturing environment Proven experience with refrigeration (ammonia), boilers, chillers, pumps, and motors Strong mechanical and electrical maintenance skills A recognised qualification in Mechanical, Electrical, or Refrigeration Engineering HACCP/Food Safety Level 3 (beneficial) Ammonia/BOAS/F-Gas certifications (beneficial) Basic welding/fabrication skills (advantage) What’s on Offer: Rolling 3-6 month contract 4 on 4 off shift pattern – 12hr days & nights (6–6) Minimum 42 hours per week £35ph – Outside IR35 Immediate start available I am looking to speak to talented Industrial/Maintenance Engineers with boiler and refrigeration experience who are seeking a rewarding and highly challenging position. For more information, please contact Fred O’Reilly on 07827 918324 or email your CV to fred.oreilly@ata-recruitment.co.uk, Recruitment Specialist at ATA Recruitment. 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 - By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on 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
Lead Maintenance Engineer
£45000 - 50000 per year Pension
West Yorkshire
Role – Lead Maintenance Engineer Location - Bradford Hours – Days, Monday to Friday, can be flexible on start and finish times to suit Salary - £45-50k The company ATA Recruitment are pleased to partner up with a rapidly growing manufacturing firm in Bradford, West Yorkshire. They are an industry leader with a well-respected reputation in the market with a huge order book, so job security is guaranteed. They are recruiting for an experienced lead maintenance engineer to help develop the department The role The lead maintenance engineer role would include: Conducting the PPM’s on all the machinery on site Working on a range of high spec machinery and ancillary equipment Work with the production team to optimize machine performance and reduce waste. Organise the stores department ensuring parts are always available About you The ideal lead maintenance engineer would be: Holding a recognised qualification in engineering Time served or experience working in a FMCG/manufacturing background Multi-skilled with electrical and mechanical fault-finding experience The benefits Alongside the £45-50k salary for a days-based role, this opportunity offers several different benefits. The successful lead maintenance engineer would also obtain industry specific training, allowing them to progress their skills and enhance their capabilities. Competitive salary package with excellent benefits. Be part of a high-growth business with strong financial backing and ambitious expansion plans. Interviews can be arranged immediately so apply by following the online instructions or send a CV to Andrew.bairstow@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. By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on 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
Technical Support Engineer
£42000 - 42000 per year Annual Bonus
Great Driffield
Technical Support Engineer Competitive Salary + Annual Bonus (£1,500 avg) + 33 Days Holiday + Matched Pension (5%) + Excellent Benefits Location: Driffield Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am–5pm (Flexi-time available) Occasional international travel (mainly Europe) The Company A well-established UK-based manufacturer of specialist machinery, supplying precision-engineered and automated equipment to leading clients across multiple industries. With several UK sites, the company designs and builds every part of its machinery in-house — from mechanical fabrication to control systems and software commissioning. As a result, their Technical Support Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring customers receive the highest level of service and technical expertise. The business is growing quickly, expanding into new markets, and leading the way in automation and advanced machinery design. The Role As a Technical Support Engineer, you’ll join a skilled technical team based at the Driffield site, providing expert assistance to customers both remotely and on-site. You’ll be responsible for fault-finding, diagnostics, and control software support, helping clients resolve issues efficiently while maintaining high technical standards. This position offers a strong balance of office-based technical support and occasional hands-on fieldwork, ideal for an engineer who enjoys problem-solving and variety. Role Split: 90% Office-based: Providing remote support via phone and email, diagnosing faults, and identifying parts. 10% Field-based: Attending customer sites across the UK and Europe for specialist support and commissioning. Key Responsibilities Deliver high-quality remote support as a Technical Support Engineer, ensuring quick and accurate fault resolution. Diagnose electrical and mechanical faults using diagrams and schematics. Work with PLC systems (Beckhoff, Mitsubishi, Lenze) to identify and correct control issues. Assist customers with parts sourcing, repairs, and ongoing technical queries. Support product updates and contribute to continuous improvement. What You’ll Need NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Hands-on, multi-skilled background with both electrical and mechanical fault-finding ability. Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings and schematics. Comfortable using a laptop for PLC signal testing and diagnostics. Excellent communicator and customer-focused mindset. Previous experience as a Technical Support Engineer, Service Engineer, or similar role preferred. Candidates from the Armed Forces or machinery-based industries are encouraged to apply. What’s On Offer Competitive Salary Annual Bonus 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) Matched Pension up to 5% Allowances Full in-house training on bespoke machinery and software systems Long-term career development with potential to progress into Senior Technical Support Engineer or Team Leader positions Future investment in a new training and development centre If you’re interested in becoming a technical support engineer please apply directly or send your CV to max.carling@ata-recruitment.co.uk 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
£39000 - 40000 per year Overtime (1.5x, 2x) OTE of £50k + Days
Hull
Multi Skilled Maintenance Engineer – Hull Hull | £39,000 - £40,000 | OTE c.£50,000 | Shifts: Mon – Fri 6-2 / 2-10 (Flexibility Required) Are you a multi skilled maintenance engineer based in Hull and looking for a secure role with excellent overtime, training, and long-term prospects? We’re recruiting for a well-established manufacturing site that continues to invest in new machinery and people. The Role As a multi skilled maintenance engineer, you’ll join a small, supportive engineering team reporting to the Engineering Manager. You’ll work on a mix of reactive and planned maintenance with a 50/50 split between electrical and mechanical tasks. Your responsibilities will include: Fault finding on electrical systems including PLC systems, drives, motors, and heating elements Mechanical maintenance on conveyors, bearings, pneumatics, hydraulics, and sprockets Delivering weekly PPM schedules and responding to breakdowns Supporting project work, installations, and continuous improvement activity What We’re Looking For NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Strong background as a multi skilled maintenance engineer within manufacturing or FMCG Experience with both electrical and mechanical fault finding Motivated, reliable, and ideally based locally in Hull What’s on Offer £39,000 - £40,000 OTE around £50,000 with overtime Overtime rates: 1.5x weekdays/Saturdays, 2x Sundays If you’re a motivated multi skilled maintenance engineer looking for a stable role with variety, training, and excellent earning potential in Hull, this is the opportunity for you. Apply today to secure your next step as a multi skilled maintenance engineer. 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
£53200 - 53200 per year profit related pay, private healtchare, 7% pension and more!
Melton Mowbray
Maintenance Engineer, £53,200, profit related pay with bonus increasing year by year, 7% pension contribution, internal training, external qualification training. Shift – 4 on 4 off (days and nights) 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 it’s 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: Ensuring the smooth running of the factory, by performing reactive and planned maintenance work. Electrical installations. Taking ownership of looking after the workshop. To provide assistance and support to junior engineers as well as production staff. Fault-finding on both the electrical and mechanical components. No programming required but need to have the ability to check I/O’s, read schematics and check HMI Screens. 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 a multi-skilled environment, being able to work with electrical equipment. 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. To have initiative, as well as leadership skills when you may be required to if you are the most senior member on shift. Why join our client? Training in PLC’s as well as food safety, health safety and other benefits with training. An employee-first approach with clear routes of progression into leadership positions. 40% of promotions are internal. 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
Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer
£33 - 35 per hour Outside IR35
Evesham
Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer Location: Commutable from Evesham, Cheltenham, Worcester Contract: 3-Month Rolling Contract Shifts: 4 on 4 off – 12hr Days or Nights Rate: £33p/h - £35p/h – Outside IR35 The Role: We’re looking for a skilled Multiskilled Maintenance Engineer to join a busy food manufacturing site on a 3-month rolling contract. You’ll be responsible for ensuring machinery is running smoothly and efficiently across the site. Day-to-day responsibilities will include: Reactive maintenance and fault finding on a range of food production and packaging machinery Planned preventative maintenance (PPM) Component swaps and repairs on equipment such as conveyors, packaging machinery, cookers, slicers, pallets, and more The Ideal Candidate Will Have: Solid maintenance experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment A recognised engineering qualification (Apprenticeship or Level 3 NVQ/equivalent) Strong fault-finding and repair skills across a range of components A background working in food (preferred) What’s on Offer: Rolling 3-month contract 4 on 4 off shift pattern – 12hr nights or days Minimum 42 hours per week £33p/h - £35ph – Outside IR35 Immediate start available I am looking to speak to talented Multiskilled Maintenance Engineers who are seeking a rewarding and highly challenging position. For more information, please contact Fred O’Reilly on 07827 918 324 or email your CV to fred.oreilly@ata-recruitment.co.uk, Recruitment Specialist at ATA Recruitment. 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 - By applying you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on 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