Manufacturing Operative - Foundry

Luxfer MEL Technologies; Swinton; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 14%

On-site canteen

Free on-site parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Training & development

Job summary

Luxfer MEL Technologies is seeking a Magnesium Operative for our Manchester Foundry. This hands-on production role focuses on magnesium melting, casting, and material movement within a demanding foundry environment. You will rotate across areas, use FLT equipment, and may operate lathes, CNC, extrusion presses, or rolling mills.

A 24/5 shift pattern with flexibility is required; a 14% bonus is available. The role emphasizes safety, high housekeeping standards and teamwork, with on-site

Qualifications

• Experience working in manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
• Foundry, molten material, melting or casting experience would be advantageous.
• FLT licence is essential.
• Pendant crane experience is preferred.
• Strong safety awareness and adherence to procedures.

Responsibilities

• Carry out magnesium foundry activities safely and in accordance with procedures and work instructions.
• Support melting, casting, preparation and material movement as required by the production plan.
• Provide flexible support across other magnesium production areas as required, including lathes, CNC, extrusion press and rolling mills.
• Use forklift trucks safely to move materials; pendant crane experience is preferred.
• Operate foundry equipment and complete checks, reporting faults or abnormal conditions.
• Record production data and handover information accurately and legibly.

Skills

FLT licence

Pendant crane

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Foundry experience

Tools

FLT equipment

Job description

Magnesium Operative – Foundry Luxfer MEL Technologies is a global leader in high-performance magnesium and zirconium-based materials, supporting advanced technology industries worldwide. From aerospace and defence to healthcare, automotive, environmental and specialist industrial applications, our materials help improve performance, safety and reliability in critical sectors. Role Overview – Magnesium Operative, Foundry Are you an experienced manufacturing operative who is safety focused, practical and comfortable working in a demanding foundry environment? We are looking for a Magnesium Operative to join our Manchester Foundry team, primarily supporting magnesium melting, casting, preparation, material movement and associated production activities.

This is a hands‑on production role in a specialist magnesium manufacturing environment. Your primary role will be in the Foundry, but flexibility is important and you may also be required to support other magnesium production areas, including lathes, saws, CNC, extrusion press or rolling mills, as demand requires.

The position may be offered on either a fixed‑term contract or permanent basis depending on operational requirements. The normal working pattern will be 24/5 or 24/5+, so flexibility to work shifts is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out magnesium foundry activities safely and in accordance with procedures, risk assessments and work instructions.
• Support melting, casting, charging, preparation, furnace‑related activities and movement of materials as required by the production plan.
• Provide flexible support across other magnesium production areas as required, including lathes, saws, CNC, extrusion press and rolling mills.
• Use FLT equipment safely to support material movements; pendant crane experience is preferred.
• Operate foundry equipment, tools and associated plant safely, completing checks and escalating faults or abnormal conditions.
• Monitor process conditions, temperatures, material movements and quality checks, raising concerns immediately where required.
• Complete production records, log sheets and handover information accurately, legibly and in full.
• Work closely with Team Leaders, Foundry colleagues, Engineering, Quality and HSE to maintain safe and reliable output.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, safe working and ownership of your area.

The Package

• Full‑time production role based at our Manchester site.
• Base salary of £32,954 to £45,833 depending on shift pattern.
• Nominally a 24/5 shift pattern which can vary depending on production demand.
• Direct worker bonus of up to 14%.
• On‑site canteen facilities.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support and advice.
• Training and development opportunities within a specialist manufacturing environment.

Requirements – Magnesium Operative, Foundry

• Experience working in manufacturing, foundry, molten material, metals processing, chemical production or another heavy industrial environment.
• Foundry, molten material, melting, casting or furnace experience would be a distinct advantage.
• FLT licence is essential.
• Pendant crane experience is preferred.
• Strong safety awareness and commitment to following procedures, permits, risk controls and site rules.
• Ability to work in a hot, physically demanding foundry environment and complete practical production tasks reliably.
• Flexibility to support other magnesium production areas, including lathes, saws, CNC, extrusion press and rolling mills, as production demand requires.
• Experience of shift working.
• Good attention to detail and ability to complete production records, log sheets and handover information accurately.
• Clear communication skills and willingness to elevate hazards, abnormal conditions or quality concerns promptly.
• A reliable, team‑oriented approach with pride in safe, right‑first‑time production.

The Luxfer Culture: Join a Specialist Manufacturing Team

At Luxfer, we value teamwork, accountability, integrity and pride in the work we do. You will be joining a foundry team where safety, discipline and reliable output are essential, and where your contribution will help maintain continuity of specialist magnesium production skills.

This role would suit someone who enjoys practical manufacturing, understands the importance of following safety controls, and is comfortable working in a structured, hands‑on production environment.