Production Operative

INSPIRED pet nutrition; Crick; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime pay

Enhanced pension

Life insurance

Maternity leave options

Paternity leave

Healthcare cashback

Pet product discounts

Retail discounts

Gym discounts

Onsite parking

Canteen and free drinks

Job summary

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is recruiting Production Operatives for our Crick, UK operation. This permanent role supports the Packing team, contributing to safe, high-quality production and a collaborative working environment.

You will work on a 4 on/4 off pattern with 12-hour nights from 18:00 to 06:00, averaging 42 hours per week. The role includes safety-focused duties, quality checks and continuous improvement within a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred but not essential.
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills.
• Able to understand, communicate and record information clearly in English.
• Food Hygiene certification is desirable and training can be provided.

Responsibilities

• Promote a strong people-safe culture by following all health and safety policies.
• Report safety concerns promptly through the appropriate channels.
• Follow production plans to ensure correct WIP combinations and volumes.
• Maintain high quality standards in line with food safety legislation.
• Carry out hourly production and quality checks and escalate issues as needed.
• Follow Clean As You Go to maintain hygiene and housekeeping.
• Ensure working area meets hygiene and food safety expectations.
• Monitor machinery and equipment performance and escalate breakdowns to Engineering.
• Minimise waste of materials, packaging, products, chemicals and water.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying better ways of working.
• Collaborate with colleagues to achieve daily goals.
• Participate in training and support the development of others.

Skills

Manufacturing environment exposure

English communication

Education

Food Hygiene certificate (desirable)

Job description

About the Role:

We’re recruiting Production Operatives to join our manufacturing operation in Crick, Northamptonshire. These are permanent roles supporting our Packing team and play an important part in maintaining a safe, high‑quality and collaborative working environment. You’ll play a vital role in the day‑to‑day running of our operation, working as part of a supportive team - you’ll help ensure products are made safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards, contributing to the overall success of INSPIRED.

Role Overview:

• Shift pattern: 4 on / 4 off (12 hour shifts)
• Shift: Nights (18:00–06:00)
• Average hours: 42 per week average
• Pay: Nights hourly rate £14.79 per hour plus £2.60 per hour shift allowanceThe 4 on 4 off pattern offers predictability, extended rest periods, and greater ability to balance work with life outside of work.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Promote a strong people‑safe culture by following all health and safety policies and procedures
• Report any safety concerns, hazards or equipment damage promptly through the appropriate channels
• Follow production plans and instructions to ensure products are produced and packed using the correct combinations and volumes of work in progress (WIP)
• Maintain high quality standards throughout the production process, in line with food safety legislation, standards and requirements
• Carry out hourly production and quality checks, escalating any issues to the Area Shift Leader or Area Manager
• Follow the Clean As You Go approach to maintain excellent hygiene and housekeeping standards
• Ensure your working area meets hygiene and food safety expectations at all times
• Monitor the performance and effectiveness of machinery and equipment, escalating issues such as breakdowns to the Engineering team where required
• Work efficiently to minimise waste of raw materials, packaging, products, chemicals and water
• Support a culture of continuous improvement by identifying better ways of working
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve daily operational goals
• Take part in training and support the development of others when required
• Act as a buddy for new starters, offering guidance and support to help them settle into the role

Skills & Experience

• Experience in a manufacturing or similar environment (preferred, but not essential)
• A good standard of education, with strong literacy and numeracy skills
• Able to understand, communicate and record information clearly in English
• Food Hygiene certification (desirable – training can be provided)

Total Reward & Benefits

• Overtime, enhanced pension, life assurance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, sick pay, and holiday buy options
• Healthcare cashback plan and Hertility at home fertility testing
• Generous discounts on pet food and lifestyle subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, breakdown cover)
• Retail and gym discounts, electric car scheme, free onsite parking and charging
• Onsite canteen, free hot drinks, and modern facilities

About Us

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is an innovative, award‑winning pet food manufacturer employing over 1,200 colleagues across the UK and Europe. Our brands include Harringtons, Wagg, Barking Heads & Meowing Heads, AATU, Blink, Butcher’s, and more. Our kitchens in Thirsk, Kinmel and Crick produce high quality food for dogs and cats enjoyed around the world. Our ambition is simple: to become a global leader in pet nutrition.

Our Purpose:

To Create HappinessWe’re on a mission to set a new standard for workplace happiness. Our culture is built around care, collaboration and continuous improvement — ensuring our people feel supported, valued and proud of what they do.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

INSPIRED Pet Nutrition is committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on talent, potential and experience.We also provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need any support, please contact [e-mail]’re committed to being an inclusive employer — please speak with us to discuss job share opportunities, particularly if you’re returning to work, balancing family commitments, or exploring flexible ways of working.