SME Operator in Preston

Key Tasks: Responsibilities

• Embrace management tools such as VPO (Voyager Plant Optimization) used to drive 5S standards, plant management basic fundamentals and the like, in order to achieve brewery KPI (Key Process Indicator) targets.

Key Tasks: Accountabilities

Safety Leadership

• Act as a visible safety leader within the brewing area, role‑modelling safe behaviours at all times
• Challenge unsafe acts and conditions and ensure corrective actions are followed through
• Support and lead risk assessments, near‑miss investigations, and incident root cause analysis
• Ensure strict adherence to Life Saving Rules, LOTO, permit‑to‑work, and confined space requirements
• Actively participate in safety talks, toolbox meetings, and safety improvement actions

Quality and Food Safety

• Own and protect product quality and food safety standards within the brewing area
• Act as the subject matter expert for critical process parameters, CCPs, and quality control points
• Support investigation and resolution of quality deviations, non‑conformances, and complaints
• Ensure any process or parameter changes follow change control and HACCP requirements
• Support internal, external, and regulatory audits as required

Operational Excellence & Reliability

• Provide hands on technical support to operations during normal running and unplanned events
• Diagnose equipment and process issues, supporting prompt and effective fault resolution
• Work closely with the Brewing Reliability team to support planned work, breakdown response, and reliability improvement
• Conduct data analysis to correctly identify maintenance priorities for the reliability team to plan actions to address.
• Ensure SOPs and operating standards are followed and kept current. Where updates are required, ensure this is done within Acadia (following document control guidelines) and re-issued/re-trained as required.
• Support commissioning, trials, and validation activities in the brewing area

Continuous Improvement & Loss Elimination

• Lead and support CIL activities within the brewing area, including structured problem solving and RCA
• Identify, prioritise, and eliminate chronic losses impacting safety, quality, cost, delivery, and morale
• Embed standard work following improvement implementation to sustain results
• Actively contribute to VPO pillar activities and assessments

Data, Digital & Performance Management

• Use process data, trends, and KPIs to identify instability and performance gaps
• Utilise data analysis tools such as Power Bi, Mini tab, Excel to support data analysis
• Confidently use and support brewery systems including SCADA, MES, CMMS, and VPO tools
• Ensure operational and technical data accuracy and effective handover between shifts
• Maintain technical documentation, standards, and parameter control

Capability Development & Coaching

• Coach, train, and develop operators to agreed competency and certification standards
• Support and maintain training matrices and skills assessments for the brewing area, within Acadia
• Capture and standardise technical knowledge into SOPs, SKAP Manual/Skills Progression collection, and training materials
• Act as a technical mentor, supporting confidence and decision‑making on shift

Ways of Working & Behavioural Expectations

• Works collaboratively across shifts and functions, influencing without formal authority
• Communicates clearly and calmly during high‑pressure situations and unplanned events
• Challenges deviations from standard constructively and respectfully
• Demonstrates ownership, accountability, and a continuous improvement mindset
• Consistently role‑models VPO ways of working

Skills, Knowledge and Experience required:

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Strong technical understanding of brewing processes and equipment
• Experience in fast‑paced, continuous operations environment
• Proven problem‑solving capability (RCA, CIL, structured improvement)
• Strong communication and coaching skills
• High safety, quality, and compliance awareness

Role Development

This role is a critical capability position within Brewing Operations and may provide progression opportunities into Area Owner, Reliability, or Technical Specialist roles.