Automation Engineer

<p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>Automation Engineer</strong><br><strong><span style="color:#121317">Ashby de la Zouch</span></strong> (Home of Hula Hoops, Space Raiders, Nik Naks and more)<br><strong>On-site | Monday - Friday | Days </strong>(some flexibility required) </p><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>Join our snack-loving team</strong><br>We’re looking for an Automation Engineer to join us at KP Snacks. If you’re ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you – this could be your next big move.</p><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>About the role</strong><br>You’ll be responsible for supporting and improving our automation systems, leading site projects and ensuring safe, efficient operations. This is a hands-on role where you’ll work closely with colleagues across Engineering, Manufacturing and Technical to deliver automation solutions that make a real difference.</p><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>What’s in it for you?</strong><br>We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:</p><ul><li><p>Competitive annual salary </p></li><li><p>Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement</p></li><li><p>Comprehensive healthcare support – including Medicash Health Cash Plan or Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care</p></li><li><p>KP Pension Plan – contribution matching up to 7% of your salary</p></li><li><p>25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more</p></li><li><p>KP4ME – our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more</p></li></ul><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>What will you be doing?</strong></p><ul><li><p>Lead automation and PLC support across the Ashby site, building fault-finding capability across all shifts</p></li><li><p>Tackle automation challenges with confidence, including obsolescence upgrades and CAPEX project delivery</p></li><li><p>Collaborate with site teams, suppliers and contractors to deliver automation projects from concept to completion</p></li><li><p>Make a real impact on automation standards, training and coaching – ensuring safe systems and consistent processes</p></li><li><p>Learn and grow through cross-functional teamwork, supporting both site-driven and centrally driven engineering projects</p></li><li><p>Support 24/7 emergency cover and ensure automation systems are available and safeguarded at all times</p></li><li><p>Drive continuous improvement through Intersnack Work Systems and Initiative Management principles</p></li><li><p>Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, Environment and Hygiene policies, with a focus on safe working practices</p></li><li><p>Manage automation documentation, contracts and warranties, ensuring systems are fit for purpose and aligned with KP Snacks standards</p></li></ul><p style="text-align:start;min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>Who are we?</strong><br>We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love – from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, we’re a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. We’re proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together.</p><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>We’re committed to inclusion</strong><br>We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.</p></p><p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong>We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:</strong></p><p style="text-align:start;"><strong><span style="color:#121317">Qualifications & Background:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><span style="color:#121317">HNC or above in an engineering discipline, or time-served apprenticeship with strong practical experience</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">A background in automation engineering</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">A solid foundation in electrical engineering and control systems</span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align:start;"><strong><span style="color:#121317">Technical Experience:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Siemens (essential) and TIA Portal (desirable but not essential) </span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Other PLC systems such as GX Works, CX Programmer, Rockwell Automation</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">MES platforms and data collection systems</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Operational technology and energy management systems</span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align:start;"><strong><span style="color:#121317">Project & CI Experience:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p>Providing hands-on coaching and development to wider teams in automation engineering (essential) </p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Demonstrated experience in project engineering and management</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Involvement in maintenance and continuous improvement programmes</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Familiarity with quality management systems and legislative/food safety compliance</span></p></li><li><p><span style="color:#121317">Comfortable with budgeting, CapEx processes, and procurement</span></p></li></ul><p style="min-height: 1.7em;"></p><p>#LI-SC1 #LI-Onsite</p></p>