Machine Operator

South57 Recruitment; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

South57 Recruitment is seeking a Machine Operator for a packaging department in Dunstable. Role involves operating cardboard packaging machinery, setting up lines, and maintaining product quality.

Role requires familiarity with packaging equipment, basic maintenance, and strong attention to hygiene and safety standards. Training provided; willingness to work varied hours, including weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience operating cardboard packaging machinery in food production (preferred).
• Familiar with basic maintenance tasks and production line processes.
• Mechanical mindset with good attention to detail.
• Basic knowledge of food hygiene standards.
• Able to work in a team and individually.
• Shows initiative and teamwork.
• Experience with DS Smith lidding machines, stackers and conveyors.

Responsibilities

• Operate packing machinery efficiently to meet daily production targets.
• Set up machines at the start of each run with correct materials and settings.
• Monitor output and adjust settings to maintain quality and minimise downtime.
• Carry out shutdown procedures and clean packing machinery for the next run.
• Perform routine cleaning of machines and surroundings per hygiene schedule.
• Participate in deep cleaning during shutdowns or changeovers.
• Resolve quality issues and report to Area Leader as needed.
• Complete relevant paperwork for your workstation accurately and promptly.
• Conduct basic preventive maintenance such as lubrication and sensor cleaning.
• Report equipment faults to the engineering team quickly and accurately.
• Work with maintenance during repairs or servicing.
• Provide clear handovers to management, reporting issues and stock levels.
• Carry out machine training and competency assessments, write SOPs.
• Take part in team briefs and relevant training sessions.

Skills

Packaging machinery

Food production

Teamwork

Maintenance basics

Food hygiene knowledge

IOSH safety training

HACCP training

Train the trainer

Tools

SAP

ProLeiT

DS Smith lidding machines

Boix tray former

Hartmann packers

Markem printers

OFS

Job description

Job Description:

We are recruiting for our food production client in Dunstable who are looking for a machine operator for their packaging department.

Working Monday and Friday between the hours of 07:00 to 17:00

However, there may be a need to work flexibly across the calendar week in line with business needs. This may include early mornings, evenings, late nights, weekends, and public/bank holidays.

Duties include but are not limited to;

• Operate the Packing machinery efficiently to meet daily production targets
• Set up the machines at the start of each run, ensuring correct materials and settings are applied
• Monitor output and adjust machine settings as needed to maintain product quality and minimise downtime
• Carryout shutdown procedures and cleaning of packing machinery to ensure ready for next run
• Perform routine cleaning of the machines and surrounding area in accordance with hygiene standards and cleaning schedule
• Participate in deep cleaning during scheduled shutdowns or changeovers
• Have the ability/knowledge of how to resolve quality issues – when raising issues with Area Leader
• Ensure the completion of any relevant paperwork for your workstation is carried out in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with procedure
• Conduct basic preventive maintenance (e.g., lubrication, belt checks, sensor cleaning) in line with schedules
• Identify and report equipment faults or wear-and-tear to the engineering team promptly
• Work closely with maintenance personnel during repairs or servicing
• Provide clear handovers to Management, including reporting issues, stock levels, or machine status
• Carry out machine training and competency assessment of other team members, including writing SOP’s
• Take part in team briefs and relevant training sessions

The right candidate must have;

• Prior experience operating cardboard and/or other packaging machinery in a food production environment (preferred)
• Familiarity with basic maintenance tasks and production line processes
• Mechanically minded with a good eye for detail
• Basic knowledge of food hygiene standards
• Able to work as part of a team and individually
• Uses own initiative
• DS Smith lidding machines
• Buel stackers and conveyors
• Boix tray former
• Hartmann packers
• Markem printers
• OFS
• SAP & ProLeiT
• Food safety training
• Health & Safety training (IOSH)
• HACCP training
• Train the trainer