Production Operator - Burton

Soufflet Bairds Malt; Burton upon Trent; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Soufflet Bairds Malt is seeking a hands-on Malting Operator to manage steeping, germination and kilning processes on a 4 on/4 off shift pattern. You will monitor production, ensure quality, hygiene and safety, perform routine checks and provide basic autonomous maintenance to support continuous plant operations.

You're expected to work across departments to resolve issues, maintain accurate records, and participate in daily site meetings.

Qualifications

• Requires strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Pro-active, flexible, and helpful approach to daily tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills with customer focus and teamwork.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Creative problem solver with a practical mindset.

Responsibilities

• Operate malting production processes (steeping, germination, kilning).
• Monitor and control parameters; ensure quality, hygiene and safety standards.
• Carry out routine checks and basic autonomous maintenance.
• Maintain site records and participate in daily site meetings.
• Liaise across departments to resolve operational issues and ensure OTIF deliveries.
• Contribute to site hygiene and environmental compliance.
• Support harvest operations and site preparation activities.
• Assist plant engineering with basic maintenance tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Pro-active

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Industrial production experience

Education

IOSH qualification

Tools

SAP

Maintenance systems

Job description

4 on 4 off shift pattern: 3 weeks of days 6am-6pm and 1 week of nights 6pm-6am

Summary of Job:

Responsible to the Operations Supervisor for the safe and efficient operation of the malting production process, including steeping, germination, and kilning. The role involves monitoring and controlling production, maintaining high standards of quality, hygiene, and safety, carrying out routine operational checks and basic autonomous maintenance, and supporting continuous plant operations through day and shift working.

Responsibilities:

• Malt operations including the Steeping, Germination and Kilning processes. Monitor, record and adjust parameters throughout the process to produce malt to meet customer expectations
• Silo operations relating to all grain movements, sampling and pesticide dosing/record keeping
• Production of malt residual pellets and barley screenings
• Liaise between multiple departments to identify and resolve operational issues or anomalies and ensure all deliveries are made on time and in full (OTIF)
• Completion of all necessary record keeping in accordance with quality and auditing procedures
• Actively participate in daily meetings reporting on site needs and plan activities with colleagues
• Maintain a high level of scheduled and unscheduled hygiene across the whole site
• Participate in site preparation for and partake in harvest operations
• Conduct borehole chemical dosing as required
• Operating effluent plant to ensure site meets discharge consents
• Carry out basic operational maintenance tasks and assist plant engineering team

General

• Provide cover for shifts and during holidays, sickness and absence when required
• Ensure site compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation and associated external and internal standards for food safety and product quality including maintaining appropriate records
• Undertake training and provide cover in other areas of the plant as per business needs.
• Mentoring temporary workers as required to ensure the highest levels of personal safety are achieved alongside operational needs

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

Skills/Abilities

• Constant eye for detail and accuracy
• Flexible, pro-active and helpful approach
• Good interpersonal skills with strong customer focus
• Ability to work individually or as part of the team
• Creative problem solver/ solution-based thinker
• Experience in an industrial scale production environment

DESIRABLE

Working Knowledge

• Experience of using SAP and maintenance systems
• Understanding of Health and Safety legislation, IOSH qualification
• Exposure to lean manufacturing practices, 5s, T-Card, Root cause analysis, 5 whys