Machine Operator (Production)

Finnebrogue; Downpatrick; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised meals

Free products weekly

Free onsite parking

Electric charging points

Healthcare plan

Cycle to work

Birthday holiday

Job summary

Finnebrogue is seeking a skilled Machine Operator to join the production team at Downpatrick facilities. You will operate a range of machines (Proseal, Flowrap, Freemantle, Vemag autoloader/manual) to seal and package products, upholding quality and food safety standards.

The role requires readiness for on-the-job training, good English communication, teamwork, and an understanding of food hygiene. Benefits include subsidised meals, free products, parking, and wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ability to operate production machines with accuracy and efficiency.
• Good communication skills in English (reading, writing, numerical).
• Willingness to learn, take on training and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Operate one of several production machines in the hall.
• Ensure products are sealed and meet quality and food safety standards.
• Follow safety procedures and work as part of a team within shift hours.

Skills

Manual dexterity

Attention to detail

Teamwork

English literacy

Job description

A Machine Operator is a skilled role. You will play a key role within the production team, operating a production machine in the production hall. This role is essential to ensuring products are produced accurately and efficiently.

Proseal Machine Operator: This machine ensures products are sealed with a film on a tray, maintaining product quality, freshness, and food safety standards.

Flowrap Machine Operator: This machine ensures products are sealed within a film (no tray), maintaining product quality, freshness, and food safety standards.

Freemantle Machine Operator: This machine automatically dispenses sleeves for application onto products.

• Vemag Machine Operator (Autoloader): This is a skilled role, responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining a Vemag autoloader machine (pumps sausages).
• Vemag Machine Operator (Manual): This is a skilled role, responsible for setting up and operating a Vemag on a general packing line (pumps sausages or burgers).

Place of Work

DBP/CGR: Sausage facility, Down Business Park, Downpatrick

FBR: Bacon facility, Finnebrogue Road, Downpatrick

OTB: Vegetarian facility, Down Business Park, Downpatrick

CGR: Christmas Added Value, Down Business Park, Downpatrick

Hours of Work

Day Shift: 6:45am - 5:00pm, 5 days per week

Rate of pay: Level 1 (training) £13.23 - Level 2 £15.08 per hour

Night Shift: 6:00pm - 5:00am, 5 days per week

Rate of pay: Level 1 (training) £13.73 - Level 2 £15.58 per hour

Rate of pay is dependent on machine role.

• Discretionary Performance Payment applies to this role.

Requirements For The Role

• Readiness to work and complete on the job training and assessments.
• Good communication skills, including English reading, writing and numerical.
• Ability to work as part of a team with self-motivation and initiative.
• Previous experience within a food environment and an understanding of food hygiene and safety is desirable.
• All candidates should demonstrate core values at all times and have an understanding of and commitment to the Equality and Diversity Policy and ability to promote this day to day.

Benefits

Working within one of our state of the art premises you will enjoy a range of benefits including the ability to relax during your break in a restaurant standard canteen with all meals subsidised. We even offer free breakfast options. You will enjoy free onsite car parking and electric charging points. You will be entitled to free products weekly (up to 5 free products per person) through our award winning “Shack Initiative.” We have a packed calendar of wellbeing, social and sport events.

After you have settled into the Finnebrogue family your perks will only increase including a Healthcare plan, cycle to work scheme, new electric car scheme and we won’t forget the days that are important to you, you will receive your birthday as a holiday day! Our list of benefits continue to grow and you don’t have to just take our word for it. We have been awarded Irish News and Grocer Gold Employer of the Year as testimony to the exciting culture and benefits we offer.

About Us

Finnebrogue is part of the Sofina Foods Group, a privately owned company with European headquarters in Malton, North Yorkshire, dedicated to providing great-tasting, high-quality food products, and generating more than £3.8 billion in revenue. Globally, the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries operate more than 40 sites and have over 14,000 employees in Canada, the UK, Island of Ireland, Germany and France.

We look at what is wrong with food to figure out how to make it the best it can be, without being bound by the way it has always been done. This kind of innovative thinking has led Finnebrogue to win multiple awards and has established the business as a leading food producer. In 2024, we were recognised as the UK’s Employer of the Year by Grocer Gold and the Best Place to Work in Northern Ireland by the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards. Our robust People Strategy offers career pathways and development opportunities for all employees, emphasising talent growth and wellbeing with generous benefits for all. We are proud to be the first food producer in the UK and Ireland to achieve the Diversity Mark accreditation and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.