At a Glance
- Tasks: Operate and monitor production machinery, ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, staff discounts, holidays, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with strong support for career progression.
- Why this job: Kickstart your engineering career while making delicious meals for major retailers.
- Qualifications: Experience in machinery operation and a passion for problem-solving.
4 on 4 off Day Shift | 07:00 - 19:00 £14.67 Per Hour
Why Greencore? Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots across the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Here at Wisbech, our team of over 525 colleagues manufacture premium chilled ready-to-cook meals for major retailers including Sainsbury's, Aldi and Co-op.
What you'll be doing: As a Technical Operative, you'll play a key role in ensuring our production lines operate safely, efficiently and to the highest quality standards. This is a hands-on role where you'll be responsible for operating, setting up and monitoring production machinery, carrying out quality checks and supporting continuous improvement across the production area. Working closely with Team Leaders, Engineers and Production Managers, you'll help minimise downtime, maximise efficiency and ensure products consistently meet customer specifications.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Setting up and operating production machinery safely and efficiently.
- Monitoring equipment performance and making routine machine adjustments where required.
- Completing product changeovers and line start-ups.
- Carrying out quality, weight and specification checks throughout production.
- Completing production paperwork accurately and recording line performance.
- Identifying and reporting equipment faults, product issues or safety concerns.
- Working alongside the Engineering team to minimise downtime and improve machine performance.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the production area.
- Following all Health & Safety, Food Safety, HACCP and GMP procedures.
- Maintaining high housekeeping standards within the production area.
- Working towards daily production and efficiency targets.
What we're looking for: We're looking for someone who:
- Has previous experience operating machinery within a manufacturing or production environment.
- Has a keen interest in machinery, engineering or manufacturing processes.
- Enjoys problem-solving and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
- Has strong attention to detail and takes pride in producing quality products.
- Can complete production paperwork accurately.
- Works well as part of a team and communicates effectively.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to food safety, quality and health & safety standards.
- Is reliable, organised and able to work in a fast-paced environment.
This role would also be an excellent opportunity for someone starting their engineering career or an entry-level Engineer looking to gain valuable hands-on experience within a manufacturing environment. You'll work closely with experienced Engineers and develop a strong understanding of production equipment, fault finding and manufacturing processes.
What you'll get in return:
- Competitive salary and job-related benefits
- Staff shop discounts
- Holidays
- Competitive matched pension contributions
- Life insurance up to 4x salary
- Company Share Save Scheme
- Exclusive Greencore employee discount platform
- Access to a full Wellbeing Centre platform
- Free car parking
- Enhanced parental leave and menopause policies
- Ongoing training and development opportunities to support your career progression
At Greencore, we're committed to helping our colleagues develop their careers. Whether you're an experienced Technical Operative or an aspiring Engineer looking to build your technical skills, we'll provide the training and support to help you succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Skilled Operative - Days in Wisbech
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Greencore, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Skilled Operative - Days in Wisbech
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Greencore specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Greencore, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Greencore value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
