VAT room Production Operator - Lockerbie

Arla Foods; Lockerbie; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods in Lockerbie is seeking a VAT Room Operator to join our highly automated cheese production team. You will monitor plant performance, support production targets and engage in continuous improvement within a modern dairy facility.

The role operates in a 24/7 shift pattern (3-2-2-3) with weekend work on a rota. Training and development are provided to help you grow within a leading global dairy business.

Qualifications

• Candidates should have experience within manufacturing, FMCG or other process-driven environments.
• Experience of plant control systems, SCADA, automated manufacturing equipment or production IT systems would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with membrane filtration, pasteurization and cheesemaking operations is desirable but training will be provided.
• Food manufacturing background, health & safety awareness and strong problem-solving skills are helpful.
• Calm, level-headed team player who can work independently and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor automated process equipment and plant control systems
• Support safe, efficient and compliant production of dairy products
• Maintain high standards of quality, food safety and health & safety
• Investigate process issues and contribute to problem-solving activities
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives including 5S and operational excellence activities

Skills

Manufacturing experience

SCADA experience

Problem-solving

Team player

Tools

SCADA

Plant control systems

Production IT systems

Job description

Interested in working within one of the most modern and automated cheese production environments in the UK?

We're looking for a VAT Room Operator to join our production team in Lockerbie. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art facility using advanced processing technology while helping deliver high-quality dairy products. You'll join a small, collaborative team operating a highly automated process where training and development are provided.

How You Will Make An Impact

As a VAT Room Operator, you will play a key role in ensuring production runs safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. Working within our modern cheese processing operation, you will monitor plant performance, support production targets and contribute to continuous improvement activities.

• Operate and monitor automated process equipment and plant control systems
• Support safe, efficient and compliant production of dairy products
• Maintain high standards of quality, food safety and health & safety
• Investigate process issues and contribute to problem-solving activities
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives including 5S and operational excellence activities

The role operates within a 24-hour, 7-day production environment on a 3-2-2-3 shift pattern covering days and nights. Having a flexible attitude to hours of work is crucial which include weekend, shift working on a rota basis.

You will be highlighting issues affecting daily plans, cooperating with Whey Process / Block former departments and maintenance to overcome obstacles and implement recovery plans.

What Will Make You Successful

• We're interested in candidates who have experience within manufacturing, FMCG, food production or other process-driven environments.
• Experience of plant control systems, SCADA, automated manufacturing equipment or production IT systems would be advantageous.
• If you have an understanding of membrane filtration, pasteurization and cheesemaking operations this would be highly desirable but full training will be provided to the right candidate, so this is not an essential requirement.
• A food manufacturing background, health & safety awareness and strong problem-solving skills will help you succeed in this role (desirable)
• Personally, you'll be a calm and level-headed team player who can work using your own initiative, adapt to changing priorities and contribute positively within a collaborative production team.

What do we offer?

In addition to a competitive salary, this is an opportunity to work in a highly automated, modern manufacturing environment and develop specialist dairy processing skills. You'll receive training and support from experienced colleagues while building a long-term career within one of the world's leading dairy businesses.

We're committed to professional development and promoting from within. Our positive and collaborative culture helps employees learn, grow and succeed while contributing to production of household-favorite dairy brands.

Would you like to join us?

If you'd like to be part of a modern manufacturing team and help shape the future of dairy production, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information please contact

James Paisley – HR Recruitment Coordinator – [e-mail]

Application Deadline

23 September 2026

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

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