Operations Technician

Cereal Partners Worldwide (Nestlé & General Mills); Wirral; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Potential discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Sincereal UK in Bromborough is seeking an Operating Technician to ensure the safe, efficient operation of cereal processing and packaging lines. You will monitor production, perform start-ups, changeovers and shutdowns in line with SOPs, and adjust settings to maintain quality.

You will support quality and food safety standards (HACCP/GMP), maintain housekeeping, complete production records and reports, and contribute to continuous improvement in safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a manufacturing, production, or food processing environment.
• Basic understanding of machinery operation.
• Willingness to work shifts and flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor cereal processing and packaging equipment.
• Ensure production runs to meet daily output and performance targets.
• Perform start-up, changeovers, and shutdowns in line with SOPs.
• Adjust machine settings to maintain product quality and process stability.

Skills

Attention to detail

Manufacturing environment

Communication skills

Follow procedures

IT literacy

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Job description

• pension scheme

Qualifications & Training

Employer: Sincereal UK

Location: Bromborough

Salary: £37,499.00 per annum

Working pattern:

12 hour Shift (days/nights/weekends as per rota), average 42 hours per week

Some Of Our Other Fantastic Benefits

• Potential, discretionary annual bonus
• pension scheme

All Applicants must be over 18

Scope

We are seeking a dedicated and proactive Operating Technicians to join our cereal production team. The Operating Technician is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality operation of cereal production equipment. This role ensures that manufacturing processes run smoothly, meet production targets, and comply with food safety and quality standards. Operating Technicians play a critical role in delivering consistent product quality while driving continuous improvement in safety, performance, and waste reduction. Sincereal Group is a dynamic and growing company providing private label offers to customers in Europe. With locations in UK and France, our factories complement each other enabling us to provide a wide range of products to our customers. Born from a transition from Cereal Partners Worldwide we stand on strong foundations whilst looking ahead with fresh energy and a renewed sense of purpose. We believe in the value of local grains, responsible production and the simple joy of creating food that people trust. Produced with care, integrity and a deep respect for the land and communities around us. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a new independent company that is a major, sustainable and competitive player in the growing cereal private label market.

Role Purpose

Process and Packing Operations:

Operate and monitor cereal processing and packaging equipment (e.g., cooking, extrusion, drying, coating, and packing lines).

• Ensure production runs efficiently to meet daily output and performance targets.
• Perform start-up, changeovers, and shutdowns in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Adjust machine settings to maintain product quality and process stability.

Quality & Food Safety:

Complete quality checks in line with procedures, accurately record data, and elevate issues to ensure compliance. Follow all food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP, allergen controls).

• Conduct in-process quality checks and record results accurately.
• Identify and elevate any deviations in product quality or safety.

Hygiene and Cleanliness: Maintain

high housekeeping standards to meet hygiene requirements.

• Complete cleaning tasks in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Comply with GMP and hygiene requirements.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Perform basic maintenance and first-line fault diagnosis on equipment.
• Report and document equipment issues and downtime events.
• Support planned maintenance activities where required.

Health, Safety & Environment (SHE): Ensure

• Wear PPE as required.
• Conduct behavioral safety observations
• Report hazards and incidents in line with safety procedures

Continuous Improvement: Contribute

• Suggest and implement improvements to processes, efficiency, and quality.
• Participate in team meetings and performance reviews.

Documentation & Reporting: Follow

• Accurately complete production records, checklists, and logs.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as output, waste, and downtime.
• Ensure full traceability of materials and finished goods.

Teamwork:

• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure effective shift handovers in a 24/7 environment.
• Support colleagues by sharing knowledge and contributing to skills development.

Key Measures of Success (KPIs)

Safety

• Near miss reporting rate - proactive hazard identification
• Safety compliance (%) - PPE, procedures followed
• Safety observations completed

Quality

• Defect rate / scrap % (per shift or line)
• Customer complaints linked to line
• Process parameter adherence (within spec %)

Productivity

• Output vs target
• Line efficiency
• Labour productivity
• OEE

Engagement

• Skill matrix coverage %
• Attendance and punctuality
• Absence %

Example of shift pattern

Example is: x2 days, x3 nights x4 days off, x3 days, x2 nights x5 days off , x2days, x2 nights x5 days off

And repeat

Skills & Competencies

• Attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Effective communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to follow procedures and compliance standards rigorously
• Basic IT skills for recording production data
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills

Essential:

• Previous experience in a manufacturing, production, or food processing environment
• Basic understanding of machinery operation
• Willingness to work shifts and flexible hours

Desirable:

• Experience in food manufacturing (preferably cereal or FMCG)
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMP, or food safety standards
• Operational qualification (NVQ / Apprenticeship or equivalent)

Working Conditions

This role operates in a food manufacturing environment with regular time on the factory floor and exposure to noise, dust (grain), moving machinery, temperature variation, and manual handling activities. Flexibility is required to support shift teams, critical incidents, shutdowns, trials, and business needs.

Equal Opportunities

We work together as one team. Everyone is welcome here, and we treat each other with fairness, respect, and equality

Right to work in the UK

In accordance with Home Office guidance successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. We have assessed this role and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; the successful candidate therefore must be able to demonstrate their own right to work during the recruitment process without sponsorship.