Senior Packaging Operative

Avoca; Bray; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Avoca's Central Bakery & Kitchen in Bray is seeking a Senior Packaging Operative to lead the CBK packaging activity. The role focuses on food packaging, line setup, quality checks, and meeting production targets.

You will supervise and train operatives, ensure HACCP, hygiene, and GMP standards, and maintain accurate production records in a fast-paced ambient and chilled environment. The ideal candidate has experience in food manufacturing, strong attention to detail, and good communication

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a food production/manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in packaging.
• Experience with automated packaging machinery and basic IT for reporting.
• Excellent teamwork and communication with supervisors.
• Knowledge of HACCP, food hygiene, and health & safety standards.
• Food Safety Level 2 is preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Good attendance and punctuality.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently pack, seal, and label food products at high speeds.
• Quality control and inspect products to ensure they meet standards.
• Supervise and assist the supervisor; train new operatives; meet daily outputs.
• Cover supervisor duties during holidays or days off as needed.
• Maintain HACCP, GMPs, and hygiene standards.
• Adhere to health, safety, and hygiene standards (PPE required).
• Support production improvements and training as required.
• Maintain detailed records of production and quality checks.
• Perform minor adjustments to machines and report maintenance issues.

Skills

Proven food production experience

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Food Safety Level 2 (preferred)

Tools

Automated packaging machinery

Basic IT skills for reporting

Job description

Location: On site / Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: FMCG | Production
Salary: Competitive salary

Senior Packaging Operative – Avoca Central Bakery & Kitchen Bray

Avoca operates in 14 locations across the country. After all this time, the ethos of Avoca remains the same. We cherish our time-honoured traditions, which have been lovingly passed down through several generations. Our skills might be steeped in a long and rich tradition, but our attitude is to look to the future. We are now heralded as one of Ireland’s most exciting retail stores, with a host of award-winning cafes, restaurants and food markets crammed with artisanal ingredients from near and far.

Job Summary:

The Packing Operative will be responsible for the day-to-day function of the CBK packaging activity. This role is a highly focused on food packaging. A Senior Food Packaging Operative oversees packaging lines, ensures compliance with Food Safety (HACCP), quality, and hygiene standards, and supports supervisor to meet production targets. Key responsibilities include operating/setting up machinery, conducting Quality Checks, leading team members, training new staff, completing documentation, and troubleshooting, requiring experience in food manufacturing, strong leadership, and high attention to detail. Require working efficiently in fast-paced, between ambient and chilled environments.

Responsibilities:

• Efficiently pack, seal, and label food products, often at high speeds.
• Quality control. Inspect products for quality, ensuring they meet standards before, during, and after packing, including detecting and logging defective items.
• Supervise and assist the supervisor, training new operatives, and ensuring the team hits daily output targets.
• Fully trained & time to time cover supervisor role, duties and responsibilities (holiday cover, days off)
• Maintain high-level food safety, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and hygiene standards.
• Strict adherence to HACCP and "clean-as-you-go" policies.
• Adhere to strict health, safety, and hygiene standards (PPE required, such as hairnets, bear snood, gloves, coats, safety shoes).
• Support improvements in production, packing, and, if required, train new operatives.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records of production, packaging, and quality checks.
• Perform minor adjustments to machines and report maintenance issues promptly.

  Requirements:

  • Proven experience in a food production or manufacturing environment.
  • Attention to Detail. Ability to spot quality issues and follow exact specifications.
  • Experience with automated packaging machinery and basic IT skills for reporting.
  • Work effectively with colleagues and report faults to supervisors.
  • Strong understanding of HACCP, food hygiene, and health & safety standards.
  • Food Safety Level 2 is preferred
  • High attention to detail, ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, and strong, clear communication skills.

  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment to meet deadlines

  • Ability to stand for long periods and perform repetitive manual tasks.
  • Strong work ethic with a focus on punctuality and attendance.

  Monday to Friday