Operative

1103 IMERYS MINERALS Ltd; Trethurgy; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

19 days holiday plus bank holidays

Generous pension plan

Life assurance

Income protection

Private healthcare

Company sick pay

Imerys Advantage employee discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme

Buy Holiday Scheme

Job summary

Imerys is hiring an Operative to join the Trebal Refinery team in Cornwall. The role runs a 24/7 operation, with 38.5 hours per week across a 74-shift pattern of 12-hour days and nights.

You will monitor SCADA-controlled processes, operate site equipment, and support maintenance to ensure safe, efficient production. Join a team focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with pathways for technical development within the minerals industry.

Qualifications

• Reliable and safety-focused.
• Comfortable working in both practical and computer-based environments.
• Strong communicators who enjoy working as part of a team.
• Desirable: manufacturing, production, quarrying, processing, engineering or other industrial environments.
• Desirable: experience operating machinery or process equipment.
• Desirable: experience working safely within industrial or production settings.
• Desirable: valid UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control refining processes using SCADA.
• Operate plant and equipment across the refinery site.
• Ensure production runs safely and efficiently to quality standards.
• Carry out routine plant inspections and process checks.
• Support basic maintenance activities and equipment upkeep.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards across the site.
• Work with engineers and managers to resolve issues and improve performance.
• Report hazards, incidents, near misses and deviations.
• Follow all EHS policies and procedures.

Job description

Company Description

The Company Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts. Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.

Position Operative Job Summary

Operative - Refining

Location: Trebal Refinery, Trethurgy, St Austell, Cornwall, PL26 8YQ

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 38.5 hours per week (74 shift pattern, 12-hour days and nights)

Salary: £25,445.42 per annum plus £6,461.65 shift allowance

Join Our Trebal Refinery Team

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Operative to join our team at Trebal Refinery. As part of a small team responsible for running the china clay refining process, you will play a key role in producing high-quality products for our customers. This varied role combines both computer-based process control and practical operational activities, providing an excellent opportunity to develop technical skills and build a long-term career within Imerys. Working in a 24/7 operation, you will monitor and control refining processes using our SCADA system, operate site equipment, support basic maintenance tasks, and contribute to the safe and efficient running of the refinery. You will work closely with engineers, Day Captains, and the wider management team to ensure production targets are achieved while maintaining the highest safety standards.

What You'll Be Doing

• Monitoring and controlling refining processes using SCADA process control systems.


• Operating plant and equipment across the refinery site.


• Ensuring production runs safely, efficiently, and in line with quality standards.


• Carrying out routine plant inspections and process checks.


• Supporting basic maintenance activities and equipment upkeep.


• Maintaining excellent housekeeping standards across the site.


• Working closely with engineers and operational managers to resolve issues and improve performance.


• Reporting hazards, incidents, near misses, and process deviations.


• Following all Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies, procedures, and management instructions.


• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across the refinery.

What We're Looking For

• Reliable and safety-focused.


• Comfortable working in both practical and computer-based environments.


• Strong communicators who enjoy working as part of a team.


• Organised and methodical with good attention to detail.


• Physically fit and comfortable working in an industrial setting.


• Keen to learn new skills and develop within a manufacturing environment.


• Confident using technology and willing to learn process control systems.

Desirable experience includes

• Experience in manufacturing, production, quarrying, processing, engineering, or other industrial environments.


• Previous experience operating machinery or process equipment.


• Experience working safely within industrial or production settings.


• Valid licence to drive in the UK.

Training and Development

• Refining process operations


• SCADA process control systems


• Fixed plant operations


• Mobile plant operations


• Basic maintenance activities


• Health, Safety and Environmental procedures


• Site equipment and operational processes

This role offers an excellent pathway into a long-term career within the minerals industry, with opportunities to develop your technical and operational skills.

What's In It For You?

• 19 days holiday plus bank holidays


• Generous pension plan


• Life assurance


• Income protection


• Private healthcare


• Company sick pay


• Imerys Advantage employee discounts


• Cycle to Work Scheme via Halfords


• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme via Tusker


• Buy Holiday Scheme

Supporting Your Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)


• Virtual GP service


• Flu and eye care vouchers


• Menopause support


• Check4Cancer health screening, including prostate screening


• Opportunities to volunteer as a Mental Health First Aider, First Aider at Work, or Fire Marshal

Why Join Imerys?

At Imerys, every member of our team matters. Health, safety, and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. If you're looking for a hands‑on role with excellent training, career development opportunities, and a shift pattern that supports work‑life balance, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Type

Full time and Permanent

IMERYS is an Affiritive Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

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