Production Operative, Crate Maker

Macfarlane Packaging; Grantham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Overtime opportunities

Free on-site parking

Employee assistance programme

Training and development

Employee discounts

Long service awards

Job summary

Macfarlane Packaging in Grantham, Lincolnshire, is seeking a Production Operative (Crate/Case Maker) to join our Timber Department. This hands-on role focuses on accurate, safe production of bespoke timber crates and cases to customer specifications.

You will read technical drawings, operate wood-working machinery, and support output across the wider operation. We offer a competitive salary up to £32,000, overtime opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• At least 12 months’ experience in production/manufacturing.
• Experience in woodworking, joinery or timber-based manufacturing.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings with attention to detail.
• Hands-on experience operating wood-working machinery (CNC routers, saws).
• Safe use of hand tools and measuring equipment.
• Strong health and safety awareness and safe working practices.
• Able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Reliable team player with a flexible approach.
• Able to work on own initiative with minimal supervision.
• Clear verbal and written communication.
• Right to work in the UK and on-site in Grantham.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture bespoke timber crates and cases using machinery and hand tools.
• Interpret technical drawings to determine the best method of manufacture and assembly.
• Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy and workmanship to meet customer requirements.
• Support production output, documentation and KPI reporting in line with site targets.
• Work flexibly across the manufacturing operation to support business needs.

Skills

Reading drawings

Machinery operation

Quality awareness

Team player

Health & Safety

Problem solving

Time management

Communication

Independent work

Education

GCSE A-C or equivalent

Tools

CNC routers

Saws

Hand tools

Measuring equipment

Job description

Production Operative (Crate/Case Maker)

Location: Alma Park Industrial Estate, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Package: Basic annual salary up to £32,000 + overtime opportunities, bonus & company benefits

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00am-3:30pm

Sector: Bespoke Packaging Manufacturing

Protecting What Matters, Together

At Macfarlane Packaging, we protect what matters most – our people, our customers, our communities and the environment. With over 75 years’ heritage, we combine the stability of a long-established UK manufacturer with a forward-thinking, continuous improvement culture.

Our Design & Manufacturing division in Grantham, Lincolnshire specialises in the production of bespoke protective packaging solutions, including timber crates and cases, for customers across a range of regulated and industrial sectors. We offer a safe, supportive working environment where quality, teamwork and pride in workmanship really matter.

Production Operative Role

We are looking to recruit a Production Operative (Crate/Case Maker) to join our Timber Department at our Grantham manufacturing site. This is a hands-on manufacturing role, focused on the accurate and safe production of bespoke timber crates and cases in line with customer specifications, quality standards and production targets.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across production, following job instructions precisely, operating wood-working machinery and supporting output across the wider manufacturing operation when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacture bespoke timber crates and cases using machinery and hand tools.
• Interpret technical drawings to determine the best method of manufacture and assembly.
• Maintain high standards of quality, accuracy and workmanship to meet customer requirements.
• Support production output, documentation and KPI reporting in line with site targets.
• Work flexibly across the manufacturing operation to support business needs.

Essential

• At least 12 months’ experience working within a production or manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience within a woodworking, joinery or timber-based manufacturing setting.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, with strong attention to detail.
• Hands-on experience operating wood-working machinery such as CNC routers, saws or similar equipment.
• Confident and safe use of hand tools including nail guns, drills and measuring equipment.
• Strong understanding of health & safety, manual handling and safe systems of work.
• Used to working to deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, seeing jobs through from start to finish.
• Reliable team player with a flexible approach and strong work ethic.
• Able to work on own initiative, problem-solve and operate withminimal supervision when required.
• Sound communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Basic Maths and English skills (GCSE A-C or equivalent preferred).
• Unrestricted Right to work in the UK and able to work on-site in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Desirable

• Experience manufacturing timber crates, cases or export packaging.
• Experience supporting Oil & Gas, MOD or similarly regulated customer bases.
• IOSH or other relevant health & safety qualification.
• Experience working to and recording KPIs and using Visual Management Boards (VMB).
• Prior experience working closely with other departments such as logistics, estimating or planning.
• Exposure to ISO-accredited manufacturing environments (ISO9001 / ISO14001).

What You Will Get

We offer a competitive pay package and a range of benefits, which may include:

• 23 days annual leave (rising with service) plus bank holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Overtime opportunities
• Free on-site parking
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Training, upskilling and development opportunities
• Employee discount and mobile phone schemes
• Long service awards and recognition initiatives

Macfarlane Group is committed to developing our people, offering stable employment, training and progression opportunities within a business that values quality, safety and continuous improvement.

Next steps

We aim to hold local interviews in Grantham as soon as possible, with a view to the successful candidate joining us quickly in the new year. All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not heard from us within a fortnight, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team.

No recruitment agencies please