Machine Operator

Biffa Waste Services; Liskeard; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading waste management company in Cornwall is seeking a Machine Operator. This role involves safely operating mobile plant equipment and ensuring compliance with site regulations. The ideal candidate is reliable, physically fit, and possesses strong communication skills. A competitive salary of £32,200 per annum is offered along with bonus potential for performance.

Benefits

Ongoing career development, training and coaching

Retail and leisure discounts

Holiday and travel discounts

Life cover

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to follow instructions and report issues.
• Physically fit to perform manual tasks and maintain equipment.
• Reliable and punctual with good timekeeping.

Responsibilities

• Operate site plant safely and efficiently according to training.
• Carry out daily maintenance checks and report defects.
• Maintain safe site conditions and manage compliance effectively.

Skills

Communication

Reliability

Teamwork

Calm under pressure

Job description

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Biffa is looking for a Machine Operator in Cornwall

Hours of work: 06:30 – 17:00 Mon-Fri / 50 hours per week.

£32,200 per annum + fully qualified bonus.

(Bonus on top of salary also paid on machine competency, attendance, punctuality).

A quick look at the role.

To maintain and operate mobile plant in a safe and efficient manner, working on transfer station operation both unsupervised and under instruction by the site foreman or management team.

Your core responsibilities

• Operate site plant safely and efficiently in line with training, site rules, and traffic management plans — including adherence to the 5m rule and safe reversing practices.
• Carry out daily maintenance checks on site plant, completing relevant check sheets and promptly reporting any defects or issues.
• Maintain safe site conditions by managing bunds, signage, roadways, dust suppression, mud control, and ensuring odour and pest control measures are effective.
• Communicate clearly via two-way radio with customers and colleagues to ensure smooth site operations and manage tipping activities.
• Participate in all health and safety responsibilities, including attending toolbox talks, SIT meetings, and reporting near misses, hazards, or compliance issues.
• Support continuous site compliance by understanding site rules, reporting customer queries or complaints, and undertaking other reasonable tasks as required by management.

Requirements

• Strong communication skills with the ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions in English, and complete basic reports such as defect logs or near-miss forms.
• Reliable and punctual with good timekeeping and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Physically fit and capable of performing manual handling tasks and conducting checks on mobile plant equipment.
• Calm under pressure, able to remain focused during busy periods and adapt to changing site demands.
• Lives within a reasonable distance of the site and has a willingness to learn and develop skills relevant to the role.

And here’s why you’ll love it at Biffa.

• Ongoing career development, training and coaching – Because if you don’t grow, we don’t grow.
• Retail and leisure discounts.
• Holiday and travel discounts.
• Life cover.

We are dedicated to diversity.

Being inclusive is core to our culture at Biffa; we believe different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment that represents our communities and generates the best outcomes for colleagues, customers and stakeholders, which is why you’ll find us championing diversity, equity and inclusion at every turn.