Operations Assistant (Part-time)

Axéréal; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Part time

Job summary

Axéréal is looking for a part-time Operator Assistant in the United Kingdom to support Shift Operators in the efficient operation of the malting plant. You will help maintain smooth processes from barley intake to malt dispatch, ensuring safety and operational effectiveness.

This role involves responsibilities such as monitoring production, performing quality checks, and complying with hygiene and safety regulations. You will have opportunities for international career growth while working in a global organisation.

Qualifications

• Ability to assist Shift Operators effectively during the malting process.
• Conduct barley quality analysis and malt quality checks.
• Complete safety related inspections and follow hygiene requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist in controlling the malting production process.
• Monitor process control and report deviations.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and statutory obligations.

Skills

Understanding of the malting process

Basic understanding of electrical/mechanical operations

Basic to intermediate IT skills

Good situational awareness

Education

MAGB Fundamentals in Malting qualification

Job description

As an Operator Assistant (part-time), you will support Shift Operators in the safe and efficient operation of the malting plant, helping to maintain smooth process control from barley intake through to malt dispatch. Working closely with line management and colleagues across the site, you will assist wherever needed to ensure safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations.

You will play an active role in producing high‑quality malt that consistently meets and exceeds customer expectations, while contributing to a strong safety culture focused on zero harm and minimizing environmental impact.

In this role, you will support Shift Operators, Engineers, and the Management Team in overseeing barley intake, drying, malt production, and the dispatch of malt and co‑products, helping to keep site operations running efficiently and effectively.

Key responsibilities

Production Process

• Assist in the control of the malting production process from barley to malt.
• Barley intake, barley drying, and screening.
• Barley to steep as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Steeping as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Germination per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Kilning as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Conduct and record confirmation of checks on process batch cards.
• Malt/Pellets/Screenings out loading.
• Monitor process control and react to and progress of any adverse conditions associated with the malt process.
• Alert management of any deviations in process control.
• Prepare samples.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by management.
• Operate weighbridge.
• Barley dressing.
• Report breakdowns/faults and perform initial inspections.

Hygiene/Cleaning

• Complete and confirm completion (or justification of non‑completion) of jobs as detailed on cleaning sheets.
• Prioritise hygiene requirements on own initiative if not specifically scheduled on the cleaning sheet.

Documentation and Records

All following documents are to be completed (non‑exhaustive list):

• Barley dressing sheet, screenings analysis, barley drying sheet.
• All sections of the batch record sheets.
• Cleaning sheet.
• Magnet record sheets.
• Shift change sheets.
• Shift check sheets.
• Lab analysis sheets.
• Completion of safety related inspections.

Statutory/Legal Obligations

Ensure compliance with all current legal and statutory obligations, including Health & Safety, HACCP/food safety, environmental and employment legislation.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the full malting process (barley intake, drying & storage through to malt dispatch) to provide effective assistance to Shift Operators.
• Basic understanding of the electrical and mechanical operation of the site.
• Ability to attain MAGB Fundamentals in Malting qualification within 3 years of starting employment.
• Conduct barley quality analysis on incoming loads and malt quality checks pre‑dispatch.
• Operate the weighbridge system and load lorries with malt & co‑products as required.
• Carry out site hygiene duties and record completion.
• Perform safety related inspections (e.g., fire alarm tests, vehicle inspections, legionella flushing, ladder inspections).
• Provide direct assistance to shift engineer and other engineers as required.
• Understand the importance of health & safety, food & feed safety, site hygiene, environmental issues and accurate record keeping.
• Basic to intermediate IT skills.
• Follow process instructions and exercise common‑sense thinking to work on own initiative within a level of authority.
• Maintain a practical hands‑on attitude with good situational awareness and complete documented risk assessments where necessary, working safely at all times.
• Participate in daily operations meetings.
• Successfully complete training including safety related courses, telehandler and shovel loader driver training, and any other training required to carry out normal operator duties.
• Participate in continual improvement initiatives.

Advantages

For this part‑time position (2 days a week) we offer an attractive salary and benefits package, and as part of a global organisation we can offer career opportunities internationally.