Manufacturing Operative

Material Evolution; North East; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus birthday

Learning & development budget

Social events

Healthcare provider partnership

Job summary

Material Evolution is seeking a hands-on Production Operations Technician to join their UK site. You will manage stock levels, maintain SOPs, and lead batch manufacturing activities while coordinating materials, equipment and resources to meet daily production needs.

The role requires health and safety awareness, practical mechanical aptitude, and the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues. A full driving licence and willingness to travel between sites are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a manufacturing, production or laboratory environment.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes and production equipment.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain accurate production records.
• Strong awareness of health and safety requirements in an industrial environment.
• Good practical and mechanical aptitude, with the ability to identify and troubleshoot equipment issues.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining product quality.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of production activities.
• Good problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to overcoming operational challenges.
• Experience with stock control, material handling and inventory management.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work across different departments.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new processes, equipment and manufacturing techniques.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with a focus on efficiency, quality and safety.
• Basic IT literacy and confidence using digital systems for record-keeping and production monitoring.
• Holding a full, valid driving licence permitting operation of company vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes; ability to travel between sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Inventory & Stock Management: Maintain stock levels of raw materials, consumables and finished products, ensuring accurate records and material availability.
• Housekeeping & SOPs: Maintain safe, clean and organised manufacturing areas, following and supporting the development of SOPs for both lab and production.
• Batch Production: Deliver and lead batch manufacturing activities, coordinating materials, equipment and resources to meet production requirements.
• Manufacturing Operations & PPM: Coordinate day-to-day manufacturing operations, including planned preventative maintenance, equipment readiness and resolving operational issues.
• Pilot-Scale Manufacturing & Scale-Up: Lead pilot-scale manufacturing, scale-up activities and associated testing to support the transition into full production.
• Commercial Trials: Support commercial trials and ensure batch manufacturing facilities deliver the required operational output safely and efficiently.
• Laboratory Testing & Experiments: Undertake laboratory testing and experimental work to support product development and manufacturing.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

SOP compliance

Health and safety awareness

Production records accuracy

Troubleshooting equipment

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent ownership

Problem-solving

Stock control

Teamwork across departments

Adaptability

Continuous improvement mindset

Basic IT literacy

Driving license (up to 3.5t)

Job description

About us

Material Evolution is a materials technology company founded in 2020 by Dr. Liz Gilligan and Sam Clark. Headquartered in Middlesbrough, in 2024 we commissioned the UK’s largest ultra-low-carbon cement factory in Wrexham.

We exist to solve one of the world’s toughest climate problems. As a team of scientists, engineers, and commercial and operational experts, we’re rethinking how essential materials are made; starting with cement, an industry responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions.

Backed by leading impact and technology investors, we’re on a mission to rapidly and radically decarbonise industrial materials. If you’re motivated by real-world impact and want to work close to the heart of a purpose-driven business, you’ll feel at home here.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Inventory & Stock Management:Maintain stock levels of raw materials, consumables and finished products, ensuring accurate records and material availability.
• Housekeeping & SOPs:Maintain safe, clean and organised manufacturing areas, following and supporting the development of SOPs for both lab and production.
• Batch Production:Deliver and lead batch manufacturing activities, coordinating materials, equipment and resources to meet production requirements.
• Manufacturing Operations & PPM:Coordinate day-to-day manufacturing operations, including planned preventative maintenance, equipment readiness and resolving operational issues.
• Pilot-Scale Manufacturing & Scale-Up:Lead pilot-scale manufacturing, scale-up activities and associated testing to support the transition into full production.
• Commercial Trials:Support commercial trials and ensure batch manufacturing facilities deliver the required operational output safely and efficiently.
• Laboratory Testing & Experiments:Undertake laboratory testing and experimental work to support product development and manufacturing.

Skills&Competencies

• Experienceworkinginamanufacturing,productionorlaboratoryenvironment.
• Goodunderstandingofmanufacturingprocessesandproductionequipment.
• Abilitytofollowstandardoperatingprocedures(SOPs)andmaintainaccurateproductionrecords.
• Strongawarenessofhealthandsafetyrequirementsinanindustrialenvironment.
• Goodpracticalandmechanicalaptitude,withtheabilitytoidentifyandtroubleshootequipmentissues.
• Strongattentiontodetailandcommitmenttomaintainingproductquality.
• Goodorganisationalandtimemanagementskills,withtheabilitytoprioritisetaskseffectively.
• Abilitytoworkindependentlyandtakeownershipofproductionactivities.
• Goodproblem-solvingskillsandaproactiveapproachtoovercomingoperationalchallenges.
• Experiencewithstockcontrol,materialhandlingandinventorymanagement.
• Effectivecommunicationandteamworkskills,withtheabilitytoworkacrossdifferentdepartments.
• Adaptabilityandwillingnesstolearnnewprocesses,equipmentandmanufacturingtechniques.
• Acontinuousimprovementmindset,withafocusonefficiency,qualityandsafety.
• BasicITliteracyandconfidenceusingdigitalsystemsforrecord-keepingandproductionmonitoring.
• Holdafull,validdrivinglicencepermittingtheoperationofcompanyvehiclesupto3.5tonnes,withtheabilitytotravelbetweensitesasrequired.

Desirable:

• Experienced in driving fork lift truck or other plant equipment.
• Experienceinbatchmanufacturingorprocess-basedproduction.
• Experiencewithplannedpreventativemaintenance(PPM).
• Experiencesupportingmanufacturingtrials,processdevelopmentorscale-upactivities.
• Previousexperienceinalaboratoryorqualitycontrolenvironment.
• Experiencetrainingorsupportinglessexperiencedproductionstaff.

Our Benefits and Perks:

At Material Evolution, we provide everything you need to perform at your best. Our rewards, benefits, and initiatives are designed to support your career growth, enhance your well-being, and contribute positively to our community.

Along with a competitive salary, we offer an outstanding benefits package, including 25 days holiday (plus an extra day for your birthday), access to a learning & development budget and social events. At Material Evolution, we are passionate about well-being and have partnered with a leading healthcare provider.

We’re creating an environment and culture where every individual feels safe and empowered to do their best work. We believe in everyone being treated and paid fairly, no matter their age, sex, ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.