Batch & Furnace Technician

Ardagh Group; Knottingley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging solutions company in Knottingley is seeking a Batch and Furnace Technician to assist in the efficient operation of the batch and furnace department. The role is suitable for recent chemistry graduates or experienced professionals in glass manufacturing. Responsibilities include managing material orders, optimizing operations, and ensuring quality in glass production. The position offers a negotiable salary, pension scheme, and other benefits including private healthcare and development opportunities.

Benefits

Negotiable salary

Pension scheme with matched contributions

37 hours work week

26.5 days holiday plus public holidays

Private Healthcare via AXA

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Responsibilities

• Place material orders and control stocks.
• Identify malfunctions and effect repairs.
• Support optimization of batch plant operation.
• Apply Company Hygiene Rules and audit areas.
• Monitor furnace energy performance and emissions.
• Perform inspections and basic maintenance on furnace.
• Monitor and control glass quality by supporting testing.

Skills

Observational skills

Analytical skills

Laboratory skills

Computer skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Education

Minimum Chemistry related degree

Tools

Batch and Furnace equipment

SAP

Job description

Overview

Batch and Furnace Technician Knottingley Plant Ardagh Glass UK are recruiting for a Batch and Furnace Technician to join our team at the Knottingley plant. The successful candidate will maintain & assist the efficient operation of the batch & furnace department to produce high quality glass for container production. The role can be suited to recent chemical graduates or experienced glass manufacturing individuals that have the related degree, experience and skills.

Responsibilities

• Placing material orders and controlling stocks
• Identify malfunctions throughout the batch & furnace function and effect repair where possible, or report to maintain operations
• Support optimisation of the batch plant operation including material transfers and batch mixing
• Application of Company Hygiene Rules and auditing of the department areas
• Support optimization of furnace operation, including installation and maintenance
• Monitoring of furnace energy performance and emissions
• Familiarisation of furnace structure, performing inspections and basic maintenance
• Continual monitoring and control of glass to achieve high quality by supporting testing

Required skills / qualifications

• Observational, analytical, laboratory, computer and presentation skills
• Ability to identify and respond within the department
• Experience with Batch and Furnace equipment/operations essential
• Ability to communicate verbally, written and electronically
• Understanding LSS principles and tools
• Understanding of the SAP and LSS principles preferred
• Minimum Chemistry related degree
• Glass manufacturing experienced desired but not essential

What we offer

• Salary is negotiable, dependant on experience and knowledge
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme with up to 10% matched contributions
• 37 hours per week Monday to Friday, plus 26.5 days holiday + 8 statutory holidays
• An environment where we support the development and progression of our employees, tailored to the individual’s aspirations and business opportunities
• Private Healthcare via AXA
• Health and wellbeing initiatives, such as Occupational Health and cycle to work scheme
• Family friendly policies and Company Sick Pay, after qualifying period

Role Profile available on request.

This role is open to internal and external applicants.

Internal candidates must apply via myArdagh.

Closing Date: 29th October 2025

About Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group is a global leader in metal and glass packaging solutions, producing packaging for the world’s leading brands. We trace our roots back to the Irish Glass Bottle Company, founded in 1932. Since then we have grown rapidly to a team of more than 20,000 people with revenues of almost $10 billion. Today we have a presence across Europe, Africa and the Americas.

• Did you know that Ardagh produce many of the beverage cans and bottles you drink your favourite beverages from?
• Did you know we produce metal and glass packaging which are permanent materials, meaning they can be infinitely recycled without any loss of quality?
• Did you know we produce more than 160 million containers per day?

Ardagh is passionate about sustainability and have a reputation for innovation. We push the boundaries of what’s possible, pioneering new production methods, new design techniques and new ways to recycle and save energy. Our aim is to reduce any negative environmental impact whilst remaining economically sustainable and socially responsible.

We believe that the success of our business depends on the success of our people. We strive to create working environments where our employees feel valued, can work to their full potential, and where their achievements are celebrated.

Here at Ardagh, we offer exciting and rewarding opportunities for talented and creative people. If you have ambition and want to make an impact with your career, come and join our team, you’ll enjoy the journey!

Click here for more information about our careers or click here for more information about Ardagh Group.