Machine Minder / Technical Operator

British Sugar is a home-grown success story and one of the most efficient and competitive beet processers in the world. Around 3,500 farmers based in East Anglia and the East Midlands supply our four advanced manufacturing sites with eight million tonnes of sugar beet every year. We, in turn, make this into over 1 million tonnes of sugar, serving customers across the UK, Ireland and increasingly growing commercially in the EU and world sugar markets.

Salary: Range £37,394.92 to £37,394.92

Shift Work:

• Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm
• Sunday to Thursday 11pm to 7am
• Monday to Friday 3pm to 11pm

Job Purpose: As an integral member of the production team, you will be responsible for adhering to all site procedures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of packing lines. Your role will involve manufacturing sugar products that consistently meet quality standards and customer expectations. Whilst delivering operational performance targets, manage day to day activities, manage the resolution of issues and defects, help ensure that all people working within the team are working safely. Deliver in full, right first time, and minimum wastage. Operating equipment in accordance with training and established Safe Systems of Work within a 24/5 operation of sugar packaging. Additionally, you will perform low-level, low-risk engineering tasks as part of the Technical Operator role (training provided).

Core Accountabilities:

• To comply with site and business operational, health, safety & environmental and food safety procedures, work instructions and safe systems of work.
• The role involves having full responsibility for the operation of a sugar packaging line, conducting start-up checks, product testing, as well as end of shift checks.
• To accurately record all due diligence and other operational data as required.
• To clean and maintain the line as per the line cleaning & food safety instructions to ensure no food safety risks.
• To carry out basic planned maintenance tasks which include lubrication, drive belt changes, removing parts & line tooling for cleaning & reassembly.
• To carry out trouble shooting, resolve technical issues, and complete basic engineering tasks through to resolution.
• Ensure that the production plan is met, to service customer requirements.
• To escalate issues to the Line Manager in a timely manner.
• To operate the lines CCP’s and ensure compliance to the frequency of checks and recording.
• To demonstrate to auditors (internal & external) as well as customers the food safe manufacture of finished products.
• To take a proactive approach in the identification, communication and achievement of continuous improvement.
• To carry out other duties on site as requested by the Site Management Team.

Skills, Knowledge & Competencies Required:

• Qualifications & Experience:

• GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Proven experience in an FMCG environment, ideally within Food Manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience operating food packaging machinery (e.g., Bag-in-Box, Form-and-Fill, Bag-and-Stitch).
• Familiarity with HSE and Quality standards in a manufacturing setting.
• Competence in maintenance and repair tasks, including lubrication, drive belt and chain replacement, and part disassembly/reassembly.
• Understanding of Continuous Improvement, HACCP, and GMP practices.

• Strong communication skills, including accurate and legible record-keeping.
• Effective teamwork, particularly within a Food Manufacturing environment.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to work under pressure, self-motivate, and embody company values.
• Proactive interest in both the role and broader operational processes.
• Willingness to learn, develop skills, and actively participate in improvement activities.
• Ability to prioritise and coordinate work based on operational demands.
• Commitment to identifying and implementing Continuous Improvement opportunities.
• Demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and a positive approach to safety and workplace values.
• Actively contributes to a high-performing team and supports a culture of excellence.

Preferable Qualifications & Experience:

• IOSH Working Safely
• Basic Food Hygiene
• Basic Engineering qualification (City & Guilds)
• Manual Handling Training
• Current counterbalance FLT licence

Skills & Attributes:

• Experience leading a team or team lead role.
• Analytical capacity for identifying technical issues/opportunities to ensure the delivery of required results.
• Ability to deal with immediate operational issues in a logical and effective manner.