General Operative

In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit. Please review the Eligibility and requirements for an employment permit if you are unsure of your eligibility to apply for this vacancy.
Kavanagh Meats is a beef processing company based in Enniscorthy Co. Wexford, with decades of experience in the processing and export of quality Beef to niche end markets across Europe. We are currently looking to Expand our maintenance team within the Factory. About the Role We are seeking a skilled and proactive Maintenance Engineer to join our site engineering team. In this critical role, you will be responsible for ensuring maximum uptime and efficiency across all abattoir, processing, and packaging equipment while maintaining strict adherence to hygiene, quality, and health & safety standards. Key Responsibilities • Preventative & Reactive Maintenance: Perform planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and rapid breakdown repairs on industrial machinery (e.g., slaughterline equipment, portioners, mincers, bowl choppers, vacuum packers, thermoformers, checkweighers, metal detectors, and conveyor systems). • Fault Finding: Diagnose mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues on automated and semi-automated machinery. • Utilities & Refrigeration Support: Monitor and maintain site utilities, including industrial refrigeration systems, compressed air, boilers, and effluent plants. • Hygiene & Food Safety Standards: Ensure all maintenance work complies with food safety regulations. Maintain strict food-safe lubricant practices and clear down work zones post-repair. • Continuous Improvement: Identify root causes of equipment failure and implement modifications to reduce downtime and improve efficiency. Key Requirements • Communication Skills: Fluent in English. • Qualifications: Qualified in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. • Experience: Minimum 2–3 years of maintenance engineering experience within a food manufacturing or meat processing environment (chilled/frozen processing highly desirable). • Technical Knowledge: o Strong electrical troubleshooting skills (PLCs, control panels, sensors, 3-phase motors). o Solid mechanical background (pumps, gearboxes, hydraulics, pneumatics). o Understanding of hygienic equipment design and stainless-steel fabrication basics. • Compliance Awareness: Working knowledge of HACCP, BRCGS standards, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and COSHH.. Flexibility: Comfortable working in temperature-controlled (chilled/cold) environments and physically demanding settings Desirable: Working knowledge of welding