Process Operator - Crushing Console

Wilmar Sugar; Australia; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilmar Sugar & Renewables is seeking a hands-on Crushing Operator for the Victoria Mill. You will operate the Crushing Station, monitor and adjust the milling process using the SCADA system, and support maintenance and housekeeping across the plant.

The role involves rotating shifts during crushing season (June–December) with weekends and overtime, then day shifts during maintenance (Jan–May), plus training to develop required competencies and tickets.

Qualifications

• Safety-focused mindset for operating large industrial plant.
• Mechanical aptitude with practical problem-solving for equipment.
• Good communication and teamwork within the shift team.

Responsibilities

• Operate the Crushing Station: safely feed, prepare and crush cane.
• Control the process using plant control systems and adjust as needed.
• Monitor plant performance and identify issues affecting crushing performance.
• Respond and communicate with Shift Supervisor about station status.
• Keep accurate operational logs and shift-stop reports.
• Assist with routine maintenance and inspections with tradespeople.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards around equipment.

Skills

Safety-focused

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Tools

Citect SCADA

Job description

Looking for a hands-on operational role where you'll be at the heart of the sugar milling process?

As a Crushing Operator at Wilmar Sugar & Renewables, you'll operate and monitor the cane feeding, preparation and crushing stations at Victoria Mill, helping keep cane moving through the factory safely, efficiently and consistently.

From the crushing console, you'll use plant control systems to monitor the milling process, respond to changing operating conditions and identify process problems or restrictions that could affect crushing performance. You'll also spend time out in the plant, carrying out inspections, housekeeping and operational maintenance and working alongside tradespeople when maintenance or repairs are required.

This is a role for someone who enjoys understanding how plant and processes work, can keep an eye on multiple operating conditions at once and is comfortable making practical decisions as conditions change throughout the shift.

During the crushing (June – December), this position operates on a continuous rotating shift roster, which may include weekends and occasional overtime. Once the crushing is complete and the Mill enters the maintenance period (Jan - May), the role switches to a day shift schedule with RDOs most Fridays.

Your Role in Action

• Operate the Crushing Station: Safely operate and monitor the cane feeding, preparation and crushing stations and associated plant to support consistent and efficient cane crushing.
• Control the Process: Use the Citect SCADA control system to monitor plant performance, operating conditions and the flow of cane through the crushing process, making operational adjustments as required.
• Monitor Plant Performance: Keep a close eye on equipment and process conditions across the station, identifying process problems, equipment abnormalities and rate restrictions that could affect crushing performance.
• Respond & Communicate: Respond appropriately to changing plant conditions and provide clear, accurate information to the Shift Supervisor and other members of the shift team on station performance, quality and operational issues.
• Keep Accurate Records: Complete operational logs, shift-stop reports and other required station records accurately.
• Support Maintenance: Carry out routine operational maintenance and inspections and work alongside tradespeople during planned maintenance, breakdowns and repairs.
• Work Safely: Assist with plant isolations, undertake risk assessments and follow permit‑to‑work requirements while maintaining high housekeeping standards around the shredder, milling train, gearing and platforms.

Your Winning Combination

We're looking for someone who is safety focused, mechanically minded and comfortable working with large industrial plant and equipment.

You'll need to be able to understand how different parts of a process interact, recognise when plant isn't operating as expected and respond calmly when conditions change. Good communication and teamwork are important, as you'll work closely with operators, tradespeople and the Shift Supervisor throughout each shift.

What Wilmar will offer you

At Wilmar, you'll be embraced as a valued member of our team, appreciated for your unique contributions. We offer competitive pay and benefits, including additional leave and superannuation entitlements and exclusive partner discounts. Our emphasis on safety and innovation creates a supportive work environment where you can thrive.

Previous experience in sugar milling, manufacturing, processing, heavy industry or plant operations will be highly regarded. Mechanical aptitude, practical problem-solving skills and experience with computer-based plant control systems will also help you succeed.

Ideally, you'll already hold relevant licences and competencies such as:

• Confined Space competency
• Working at Heights competency
• Turbine High Risk Work Licence, where applicable

Don't have all the tickets yet? We still want to hear from you.

For the right candidate with the aptitude, safety focus and willingness to learn, we'll provide the training and development needed to build the competencies required for the role.

The successful applicant will also undertake the relevant station training and competencies to develop the practical and process knowledge required to safely and effectively operate the Crushing Station.

About Wilmar Sugar & Renewables

Wilmar Sugar and Renewables is Australia’s largest manufacturer and exporter of raw sugar, and among the top 10 producers globally.

We own and operate eight sugar factories across the Herbert, Burdekin, Proserpine and Sarina regions and employ more than 2,000 people during the annual sugar production season.

We are one of Australia’s largest generators of renewable electricity from biomass and one of only two bioethanol producers in Australia. We are also the largest sugarcane grower in Australia and a leading supplier of sustainable liquid fertiliser and stockfeed products.