Operator Production

Sotera Health Company; Somercotes CP; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus (discretionary, quarterly)

34 days holiday (26 + BH)

Medicash Health Plan

Company pension scheme

Life Assurance – 4x salary

EAP

Job summary

Sotera Health Company is hiring a Production Operator at the Somercotes site in Derbyshire, UK. You will operate and monitor equipment to process customer products safely, accurately, and on time, while maintaining high quality standards.

The role emphasizes teamwork, adherence to SOPs, and proactive engagement in safety and continuous improvement. The position involves handling automated systems, performing pre-use inspections, and supporting production schedules in a 12-hour shift pattern (4

Qualifications

• Good general level of education and numeracy
• Reach and Counterbalance Forklift Truck licences (or willingness to obtain)
• Basic computer skills including Outlook and Excel
• Basic understanding of mechanical equipment and automated production processes
• Experience in manufacturing/production environment preferred
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Safety-conscious attitude with proactive problem solving
• Willing to work in hot and humid environment and SCBA training as required

Responsibilities

• Operate plant and equipment in line with safe operating procedures and production schedules
• Carry out tasks per Quality Procedures and site standards
• Work from team leader instructions and management guidance
• Operate process control and product transfer systems, including automated equipment
• Ensure daily production timings using scheduling tools and plans
• Communicate effectively with team members for smooth shift operations
• Support investigations into process issues and continuous improvement efforts
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, and deviations promptly
• Move customer products using forklift trucks and other handling equipment
• Conduct equipment pre-use inspections and maintain records
• Complete cleaning and housekeeping to maintain high production and warehouse standards
• Follow risk assessments, permits and safe work systems
• Wear PPE as required and maintain site standards
• Participate in training, audits and risk assessments
• Provide operational cover during absences through overtime when needed
• Be a proactive member of the Production team with focus on safety and quality

Skills

Forklift licence

Communication

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Under pressure

Attention to detail

Education

General education

Tools

Outlook

Excel

Job description

The name Sotera Health was inspired by Soteria, the Greek goddess of safety, and reflects the Company’s unwavering commitment to its mission, Safeguarding Global Health®.

Sotera Health Company is a leading global provider of mission-critical sterilization and lab testing and advisory services for the healthcare industry. With a combined tenure across our businesses of nearly 200 years and our industry recognized scientific and technological expertise, we help to ensure the safety of millions of patients and healthcare practitioners around the world every year.

Across our 64 facilities worldwide, we have over 3,000 employees who are dedicated to safety and quality. We are a trusted partner to more than 5,800 customers in over 50 countries, including more than 40 of the top 50 medical device companies and 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies.

We are seeking a motivated and safety conscious Production Operator to support the efficient processing of customer products and ensure production schedules are achieved safely, accurately, and on time. This role is based at our Somercotes site, Derbyshire, UK. The position operates on a continental 12 hour shift pattern (4 on 4 off) 07:00 - 19:00 / 19:00 - 07:00. The shift allowance is set at 22% of base salary.

As a Production Operator, you will be responsible for operating and monitoring equipment to support the safe and efficient processing of customer products while maintaining high quality standards. You will play a key role in maintaining smooth plant operations, supporting customer requirements, and ensuring compliance with company procedures and operational standards. Working within a collaborative Production team, you will operate process control systems, manage product movements, support continuous improvement activities, and contribute to an efficient working environment. This role requires strong teamwork, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Operate plant and equipment in accordance with safe operating procedures and production schedules

• Carry out tasks in line with the companies Quality Procedures and site operating standards

• Work from written and verbal instructions provided by the Team Leader and management team

• Operate process control and product transfer systems, including automated equipment where trained

• Ensure daily production timings are achieved using scheduling tools and production plans

• Communicate effectively with team members to ensure smooth shift operations

• Support investigations into process issues and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives

• Report any equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, product damage, and procedural deviations promptly

• Carry out movement of customer products using forklift trucks, pallet trucks, and other handling equipment where trained

• Conduct equipment pre use inspections and maintain operational records as required

• Complete cleaning and housekeeping activities to maintain high standards across production and warehouse areas

• Follow risk assessments, permits, and safe systems of work at all times

• Wear and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with site requirements

• Participate in training, audits, and risk assessment activities as required

• Provide operational cover during periods of absence through reasonable overtime when necessary

• Act as a proactive and responsible member of the Production team, maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and customer service

Qualifications

• Good general level of education, including literacy and numeracy

• Reach and Counterbalance Forklift Truck licences required (or willingness to obtain)

• Basic computer skills, including Outlook email and Basic Microsoft Excel

• Basic understanding of mechanical equipment and automated production processes

• Experience in a manufacturing, processing, warehousing, or production environment preferred

• Strong organisational and communication skills

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and remain calm in a fast-paced environment

• High attention to detail, confident, and commitment to quality standards

• Safety-conscious approach with a proactive attitude to problem solving

• Comfortable working in hot & humid environment (45degC / 70% Humidity)

• Comfortable wearing SCBA (training will be provided)

Benefits

• Competitive discretionary bonus - paid quarterly

• 34 days holiday (26 + Entitled Bank Holiday Allowance)

• Medicash Health Plan

• Company pension scheme

• Life Assurance – cover of 4 times your annual salary

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Sotera Health goes to market through its three best-in-class businesses – Sterigenics®, Nordion® and Nelson Labs®. Sterigenics is a leading global provider of outsourced terminal sterilization and irradiation services for the medical device, pharmaceutical, food safety and advanced applications markets. Nordion is the leading global provider of Co-60 and gamma irradiators, which are key components to the gamma sterilization process. Nelson Labs is a global leader in outsourced microbiological and analytical chemistry testing and advisory services for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.