Job Title: Engineering Apprentice (Step 2)

Location: Rudie’s & Ace’s - Blyth

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

📣A bit about the role

This is a newly created program within Rudie’s Kitchen & Ace’s Pantry - our UK production & fulfilment sites. You will embark on undertaking a structured program of academic study, workshops and on the job training in order to gain the required skills and knowledge  to fulfil the requirements in becoming a Multi-Skilled Engineer.

The apprenticeship study will last for a minimum of 3 years, during which time you will rotate around a number of areas and across different engineering teams across our business.

A bit more detail

In this role you will

• Observing, learning and understanding a wide range of engineering skills and processes while under the instruction of competent engineering staff.
• To be able to demonstrate these skills and processes as the training period progresses by working independently or with a team
• To undertake tasks as instructed and increase overall contribution to the department.
• To undertake and successfully complete suitable college courses throughout the training period, achieving the academic grades and practical skills in order to entitle yearly progression leading to the award of a suitable level 4 (HNC)
• Learning and understanding the importance of Health and safety within the facility
• To learn how to maintain workshop equipment and to keep it in good repair.
• To maintain a logbook over the duration of the apprenticeship period, recording projects that have been undertaken and the skills learned.
• To maintain and to ensure general good housekeeping of the workshop and factory areas post work completion
• To maintain a smart appearance and to act in a professional manner at all times whether on or off-site
• To perform any other duties appropriate to the grade and role of the post holder.

Qualifications & Working Hours

Apprentice Provider: Kirklees College  

‘This apprenticeship is designed for individuals looking for a career as a Food and Drink Maintenance Engineer. As part of this apprenticeship, you will gain core industry knowledge, including key principles of quality management systems and processes, best practice maintenance approaches and techniques and fault-finding techniques. You will learn how to replace components, operate heat exchanging equipment and the principles of cutting and welding in the industry.’

You will be studying towards the Level 3 Food & Drink Engineering Maintenance Standard as well as supporting training and qualifications to enable you to carry out the role of Multi-Skilled Engineer for Butternut Box (academic content delivered offsite on block release based in Huddersfield at Kirklees College).   

You will be working typically, 08:00-16:30 when working onsite and attending college 09:00-17:00 during block release.  

Start date: September 2025

🔎 A bit about you

• Loves dogs (naturally)
• A minimum of 5 GSCEs, achieved or predicted, A*- C or 9 – 4, including English, Maths and Science
• Strong desire to learn and develop, using open thinking; able to easily adapt to new ways of working
• An evident interest in engineering as a subject
• Experience of engineering activities are advantageous but not necessary. This may include:
• Hobbies or voluntary work
• Previous work experience
• Engineering related school subjects
• Good IT skills - A working knowledge of computer based programs is sufficient
• Ideally able to demonstrate a strong work ethic, e.g. through part time employment and/or voluntary activities

🐶  A bit about Butternut

At Butternut, the mission is to deliver health and happiness to dogs and their humans all over the world. In order to do just that, we need a team of forward-thinking, driven people who love dogs as much as we do. And we need quite a big kitchen too. Which is precisely why we have built one.

Located in Blyth, near Worksop, Rudie's Kitchen and Ace's Pantry are where all the magic happens, so to speak. It's where the tasty Butternut meals and treats will be gently cooked, using human-quality ingredients because, the way we see it, we wouldn't serve food to dogs that we wouldn't be happy to eat ourselves. At Butternut, we believe dogs deserve better, and if that's something you think too, we want to hear from you.

Butternut has come a long way since Kev & Dave (co-founders) hand-delivered the first Butternut Box, and we are now looking for brilliant people to join the team for this next part of the story.

Are you up for the challenge?

🙌  A bit about what we offer

• Enjoy 257.5 hours of holiday per year, plus an extra day for each year of service (up to 5 days).*
• 39 hours of pre-booked paws days to support good wellbeing and self care.*
• Unlock a £500 annual budget for personal learning and development.
• Get discounted Private Medical Insurance with Vitality Healthcare and dental care with Bupa.
• Funded Sabbatical policy after 5 years of service
• Enhanced primary caregiver policy
• Satisfy your taste buds with subsidised food from a variety of street food vans, and of course, pay day pizza!
• Treat your furry friend with an employee discount on Butternut Box.
• Say goodbye to parking woes with free parking and electric car charging.
• Prepare for adorable office dog overload—meet Cleo, Paxo, Cali, Ronnie, Harvey, Milo, and many more!

‼️  A few things to note

• There is no closing date for this role. However, we normally experience a high volume of applications so if you are interested we suggest applying as soon as possible.
• We aim to respond to all applicants personally. Our recruitment team is small so do bear with us.
• Butternut Box is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We welcome people of different nationalities, backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.
• We're not afraid of putting extra weight on candidates from underrepresented groups. We want strong, diverse teams built from different backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We're ready for the ongoing work that goes into building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best work of your career.
• We are not looking for external agency support with this role.

#LI-Onsite