Production Operator - Blowmould

Lactalis; Nambour; On-site; AUD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full training and ongoing development

Stable full-time employment

Competitive hourly rates with shiftPen

Supportive team environment

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy in Australia is seeking a Machine Operator to join a fast-paced plastics manufacturing environment. Successful candidates will receive on-the-job training before progressing into a Machine Operator role.

This position operates on a 12-hour Monday to Sunday roster with Day (6am–6pm) or Night (6pm–6am) shifts, and offers full training, stable full-time employment, competitive hourly rates with shift penalties, and opportunities for career progression within a growing

Qualifications

• Experience in plastic manufacturing is highly regarded.
• Experience operating extrusion blow molding and/or injection blow molding machines is an advantage.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn machine operations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.
• Good attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Physically fit and able to perform manual handling tasks.
• Reliable transport.
• Strong communication skills and a team-oriented attitude.
• Reliable transport and ability to work 12-hour day or night shifts.

Responsibilities

• Set up, start up, operate, and monitor extrusion blow moulding and injection blow moulding machines.
• Install and change moulds, dies, and tooling for different bottle and container specs.
• Adjust machine settings including temperature profiles, air pressure, extrusion speed, cooling, and cycle times to ensure efficient production.
• Monitor machine performance and make process adjustments to maintain product quality and minimize waste.
• Perform first-off, in-process, and final quality inspections on PET bottles.
• Identify and rectify common moulding defects such as flash, short shots, warping, sink marks, neck finish variations, and leaks.
• Carry out routine machine changeovers and assist with product changeovers.
• Complete basic preventative maintenance, lubrication, cleaning, and minor troubleshooting of machinery.

Skills

Plastic manufacturing experience

Blow molding machines

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Manual handling

Reliable transport

Strong communication

Fast-paced environment

Job description

Mainland Dairy, the business formerly known as Fonterra’s global Consumer and associated businesses, is now part of the Lactalis Group and known as Lactalis-Mainland Dairy.

Lactalis is a French family-owned business founded in Laval in 1933. Today, it is the world’s leading dairy group, present in 50 countries employing around 85,500 people. It is home to some of the world’s best known global and international dairy brands, including Président, Galbani and Parmalat, and local brands including Pauls, OAK, and Cracker Barrel in Australia.

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is a team of more than 4,300 employees, operating 16 manufacturing sites across Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. We make well-loved brands including PerfectItaliano, Mainland, and Western Star.

Our passionate and talented team is committed to nurturing the future, unlocking new opportunities, and fostering innovation in nutrition and food.

About the Opportunity

Lactalis Australia is seekinga Machine Operator to join a fast-paced food plastics manufacturing environment. Successful candidates will receive on-the-job training before progressing into a Machine Operator role.

This role operates on a 12-hour Monday to Sunday shift roster, with opportunities to work either Day Shift (6am - 6pm) or Night Shift (6pm - 6am).

Key Responsibilities

• Set up, start up, operate, and monitor extrusion blow moulding and injection blow moulding machines.
• Install and change moulds, dies, and tooling to accommodate different bottle and container specifications.
• Adjust machine settings including temperature profiles, air pressure, extrusion speed, cooling, and cycle times to ensure efficient production.
• Monitor machine performance and make process adjustments to maintain product quality and minimize waste.
• Perform first-off, in-process, and final quality inspections on PET bottles.
• Identify and rectify common moulding defects such as flash, short shots, warping, sink marks, poor neck finish, dimensional variations, and leaks.
• Carry out routine machine changeovers and assist with product changeovers according to production schedules.
• Complete basic preventative maintenance, lubrication, cleaning, and minor troubleshooting of machinery.
• Record production data, downtime, quality checks, and material usage accurately.
• Work closely with the Production Coordinators and Quality team to meet production targets and customer specifications.
• Maintain housekeeping standards and ensure all work is carried out in accordance with workplace health and safety procedures.
• Support Machine Operators by supplying packaging materials and assisting during production runs.
• Perform general production and manual handling duties as required.
• Inspect finished products for visual defects, contamination, and quality issues.

About You

• Experience in plastic manufacturing, production, or processing environments is highly regarded.
• Experience operating extrusion blow molding and/or injection blow molding machines is an advantage.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn machine operations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.
• Good attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Physically fit and able to perform manual handling tasks.
• Reliable transport.
• Strong communication skills and a team-oriented attitude
• Reliable transport and the ability to work 12-hour day or night shifts.

What We Offer

• Full training and ongoing development opportunities.
• Stable full-time employment.
• Competitive hourly rates and applicable shift penalties.
• A supportive team environment.
• Opportunities for career progression within a growing manufacturing business.

Our Commitment

Lactalis-Mainland Dairy is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, or ability.

Please note that applicants must have full working rights for Australia to be considered.