Optical Grading Operator (Celox) - Twilight

PUFFIN PRODUCE LTD; Haverfordwest; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Puffin Produce in Pembrokeshire is seeking an Optical Grading Operator (Celox) for the twilight shift to operate and optimise the Celox optical grader, ensuring raw materials are graded accurately to customer specifications. You will configure pre-sets, monitor yield, and work with planning and production teams to maximise efficiency while maintaining food safety and quality standards.

This entry level role offers training and progression within a family-owned Welsh producer that values

Responsibilities

• Operate Celox optical grader on the twilight shift, ensuring it runs to the correct product programme and performs to specification throughout the shift.
• Configure, maintain and refine Celox product pre-sets, grading programmes, calibration and automation, adjusting settings for material variability and customer specs.
• Monitor Celox performance data, reject and rework rates and yield, identifying trends and taking corrective action to maximise good product recovery and minimise waste.
• Carry out routine checks, first line fault finding and troubleshooting on the Celox, escalating to Engineering as required, and support planned maintenance and trials to minimise downtime.
• Clean the optical grader and grading hall to the required standard, completing cleaning checklists.
• Proficient use of SCADA and Brighteye, troubleshoot and identify improvement areas in the grading hall and Celox.
• Work with Herbert, wash line and sorting line teams to ensure material is presented to the grader in optimum condition.
• Assist in short- and long-term material planning, communicate plans and challenges to colleagues, and help develop the material schedule to meet demand.

Job description

Optical Grading Operator (Celox) - Twilight

Full-time Permanent Entry Level

Posted 24 Sep 2026

Description

Job Purpose:

To be responsible for the operation, set up and optimisation of the Celox optical grader, ensuring raw material is graded accurately and efficiently to customer specification and in accordance with Company policies and procedures and BRC/Ethical standards.

To own the technical performance of the Celox, including product pre-sets, programme configuration, calibration and automation, using machine and process data to maximise yield, minimise give away and control reject and rework levels. To act as the site subject matter expert for optical grading and to share knowledge with colleagues in its use.

To support the wider pre-production operation by monitoring raw material performance of the Herbert, washing and grading areas and by contributing to daily and short-term material plan execution alongside the Material Planning Manager and planning team. As Optical Grading Operator on the twilight shift you will operate with a strong mentality toward continuous improvement, with the drive to maximise yield and overall material efficiency.

Main Duties:

• To be responsible for the daily operation, set up and shut down of the Celox optical grader, ensuring it runs to the correct product programme and performs to specification throughout the shift.
• To configure, maintain and continuously refine Celox product pre-sets, grading programmes, calibration and automation, adjusting settings in response to incoming raw material variability, defect profile and customer specification.
• To monitor and interrogate Celox performance data, reject and rework rates and yield, identifying trends and taking corrective action to maximise good product recovery and minimise give away.
• To carry out routine checks, first line fault finding and troubleshooting on the Celox, escalating to Engineering or the equipment supplier where required, and to support planned maintenance, software updates and machine trials in order to minimise downtime.
• To carry out the cleaning of the optical grader and grading hall to the required standard using the correct equipment, ensuring all pre-production and daily cleaning checklists are completed.
• To be proficient in the use of SCADA and Brighteye and be able to troubleshoot and identify areas of improvement in relation to the grading hall and Celox.
• To actively identify constraints and create opportunities for continuous improvement in the use and optimisation of the Celox and Brighteye, and in quality performance, with the aim of maximising efficiency rates.
• To work closely with the Herbert, wash line and sorting line teams, ensuring material is presented to the optical grader in optimum condition.
• To support the execution of immediate, short- and long-term material planning for the raw material programme, with clear communication of plan and challenges to all necessary colleagues. To help develop and implement the material schedule to meet customer demand and minimise downtime.
• To support and make suitable adjustments to planning to accommodate maintenance, hygiene and other company requirements in line with customer requirements.
• To liaise with the Material Planning Manager and production planning colleagues on daily stock requirements, in particular ‘straight to lorry’ packing.
• To highlight forecast anomalies where applicable, and work with production planning and commercial teams to ensure we maintain service levels.
• To use, develop and publish statistics and reports in line with Company KPIs, and to provide reports to the wider team and Senior Management as required.
• To assist in development of systems and practices including but not limited to, planning, testing and feedback.
• To actively report any accidents and faults using the correct Company procedures ensuring that any paperwork required is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• To support the training of colleagues in the operation of the optical grader, ensuring training records are completed accurately and kept up to date.
• To contribute to the creation, communication and periodic review of risk assessments and safe systems of work for the Herbert, washing and grading areas, working in accordance with them and ensuring that any change to process, equipment or product is reflected.
• To attend and contribute to regular toolbox talks covering health and safety, food safety, quality and operational updates, escalating any issues or trends identified to the Operations Support Manager.
• To operate a clean-as-you-go regime within their area of responsibility.
• To observe food hygiene, food safety and product quality regulations at all times.
• To observe business etiquette and confidentiality at all times.
• To take responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others in accordance with Company policies and procedures, and to actively seek to reduce accidents within their area of responsibility.
• To attend training courses, Company meetings and other events as required.
• To demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.
• To carry out such other reasonable tasks as may from time to time be allocated.

Company Overview

Puffin Produce evolved from the original Pembrokeshire Potato Marketing Group, a quality growers' co-operative formed during the 1970s. Puffin Produce was created in 1995 and we remain true to our collective roots, set firmly in the Pembrokeshire countryside. Today, Puffin Produce is a successful company working from our Withybush headquarters. We supply a range of quality Welsh potatoes and vegetables throughout Wales, including our delicious Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) produce: Pembrokeshire Earlies Potatoes, and Welsh Leeks. Our premium brand 'Blas y Tir' meaning 'Taste of the Land', supplies genuinely Welsh produce to meet increasing demand from Welsh shoppers. The brand also proudly showcases our partnership with our sister-company, Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd, through the production of Blas y Tir Welsh milk. We also supply a range of retailers and wholesalers throughout Wales with some of most popular produce varieties, as well as our seasonal daffodils. At Puffin Produce we're small enough to take care over every detail of growing great fresh produce. But we've also made major investments in state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that we deliver top quality and freshness to Welsh shoppers, every week of the year.