Operations Assistant (Part-time) in Buckie

As an Operator Assistant (part-time), you will support Shift Operators in the safe and efficient operation of the malting plant, helping to maintain smooth process control from barley intake through to malt dispatch. Working closely with line management and colleagues across the site, you will assist wherever needed to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. You will play an active role in producing high-quality malt that consistently meets and exceeds customer expectations, while contributing to a strong safety culture focused on zero harm and minimising environmental impact.

In this role, you will support Shift Operators, Engineers, and the Management Team in overseeing barley intake, drying, malt production, and the dispatch of malt and co-products, helping to keep site operations running efficiently and effectively.

Production Process

• Assist in the control of the malting production process from barley to malt as follows:
• Barley intake, barley drying and screening.
• Barley to steep as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Steeping as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Germination per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Kilning as per process instruction and control via PLC.
• Conduct & record confirmation of checks on process batch cards.
• Malt/Pellets/Screenings out loading.
• Monitoring of process control and reaction to and progress of any adverse conditions associated with the malt process.
• Alerting management of any deviations in process control.
• Preparation of samples.
• Any other reasonable duties as requested by management.
• Weighbridge operation.
• Barley dressing.
• Reporting of breakdowns/faults and initial inspections.

Hygiene/Cleaning

• Completion & confirmation of completion (or justification of non‑completion) of jobs as detailed on cleaning sheets.
• Working on own initiative, prioritise accordingly any other hygiene requirements which is not specifically scheduled on the issued cleaning sheet.

Documentation and Records

• All the following documents to be completed (non‑exhaustive list):
• Barley dressing sheet, screenings analysis, barley drying sheet.
• All sections of the batch record sheets.
• Cleaning sheet.
• Magnet record sheets.
• Shift Change Sheets.
• Shift Check Sheets.
• Lab analysis sheets.
• Completion of safety related inspections.

Statutory/Legal Obligations

• Ensure compliance with all current legal & statutory obligations including, but not limited to, Health & Safety, HACCP/food safety, environmental and employment legislation.

Operator Assistant

• Understanding of the full malting process (barley intake, drying & storage through to malt despatch) to allow the role holder to provide effective assistance to Shift Operators.
• Basic understanding of the electrical and mechanical operation of the site.
• The ability to attain MAGB Fundamentals in Malting qualification within 3 years of starting employment.
• Conduct barley quality analysis on incoming loads and malt quality checks pre‑despatch.
• Operation of weighbridge system & loading of lorries with malt & co‑products as required.
• Carry out site hygiene duties & record completion.
• Carry out safety related inspections (eg fire alarm tests, vehicle inspections, legionella flushing, ladder inspections etc).
• Provide direct assistance to shift engineer and other engineers as required.
• Understanding the importance of health & safety, food & feed safety, site hygiene, environmental issues and accurate record keeping.
• Basic to intermediate level IT skills.
• Ability to follow process instructions and a common‑sense thinking and approach to allow working on own initiative to a level of authority.
• Practical hands‑on attitude with good situational awareness and the ability to complete documented risk assessments where necessary and work safely at all times.
• Able to actively participate in daily operations meetings.
• Able to successfully complete training including miscellaneous safety related courses, telehandler and shovel loader driver training, and any other training required to carry out normal operator duties.
• Actively participate in continual improvement initiatives.

Advantages

For this part‑time position (2 days a week) we offer an attractive salary and benefits package and as part of a global organization can offer career opportunities internationally. As Masters of Malt we want to be a great employer, focusing on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration and health and wellbeing. We live our values, putting people at the heart of what we do.

• “Strive” – our ambition is to be the best maltster that's why every day we commit to challenge ourselves to achieve the highest level.
• “Care” – our strength is magnificent when we care for our earth, our colleagues and our business partners. We encourage trust, respect and treat each other with respect. We believe that Diversity makes us stronger.
• “Inspire” – We adopt a long‑term orientation delivering sustainable performance through innovation and digitization, becoming praised Masters of Malt.
• “Explore” – thinking out of the box and embracing pioneer ideas to become a source of motivation, we like challenging the status quo to develop full potential.