At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the production line, ensuring quality and efficiency in chocolate manufacturing.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to reinventing chocolate and making people happy.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous discounts, and enhanced family leave.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative process that brings joy through delicious chocolate.
- Qualifications: Experience in machine operation and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33423 - 33423 £ per year.
Location: Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Factory ‘Hadley Park’)
Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday on a weekly rotating shift of 6am‑2pm and 2pm‑10pm (37.5 hours per week).
Salary: £33,423.00 per annum.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- Company pension contributions
- 50% discount on all products
- 70% discount for you and your guests at Rabot Estate hideaway on Saint Lucia
Job Introduction: As we continue our mission to make people and nature happy through reinventing chocolate, we’re looking for a Senior Machine Operative to join our Velvetiser Team on a permanent basis. Our Senior Machine Operatives are vital in ensuring compliance with the Production Plan in supporting delivery of our world‑class chocolate on time and in full across our customer network. You will support in leading an effective team, taking ownership for the production line and change overs, driving the team in completion of required plan whilst taking into consideration cost, quality and efficiency.
What you’ll be doing…
- Proactive: Setting up machinery, including but not limited to changing over parts on the lines. You will work with chocolate tempering machine, mixer, depositing system, multi‑headed weighers, sachet packing machines, etc. Working collaboratively with other departments to ensure that all required items are available and ready to support the smooth efficient running of the lines, i.e., machinery/ingredients/packaging. Communicating any shortages and discrepancies to your line manager on time to support plan completion. Ensuring that plan delivered on time and to costed expectation or better with targeted quality loss of less than 1% and delivering ‘Right First‑Time’ products.
- Ownership: Owning the start‑up of the production lines, ensuring that the correct staffing is in place to hit required targets in place on the production lines. Leading the team to successfully complete plan to required specifications, owning the clean down of the line between products and line start‑up inspections to ensure that the line is free from any cross‑contamination of the last run. Owning the sign‑off and completing the paperwork checks. Continuously driving a culture of asset specific standards and settings across all shifts. Ensure 100% compliance with product specification. Conducting GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance in your work area. Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety systems and to be always responsible for your own Health and Safety and the Health and Safety of others around you. Food safety standard compliance and hygiene, and PPE policies adhered to. Production is right first time to set specifications and requirements of our customers. Ensure all Piranha requests are submitted to engineering for downtimes.
- Leading: Running the day‑to‑day management of the line. Ensuring that the team are adhering to set requirements for product and personal behaviour. Reporting breakdowns in a timely manner, making the right decision. Ensuring team training is up to date.
- Supporting: Training and mentoring new starters within the business on your asset/process. Leading the team in all continuous improvement activities required on the line per product group. Being an ambassador of driving the culture of pride for the produce by setting and demanding high standards. Be able to talk an external auditor through your process/procedure around utilising your asset. Proactive care and targeted hygiene work with the Hygiene team to ensure work area and asset stays in the best standard. Identify opportunities, plan how process can be improved. PMR activity Yield / Material Variance / Packaging Waste / Inventory waste / Line Efficiency etc. Working project to show savings from improvements on the line/process. Demonstration of tools used for improvement. Involvement in 5S and other Kaizen instruments developed for site. Be able to challenge constructively and to be able to receive feedback openly. Have a collaborative working approach.
Who you are…
- Knowledge of KPIs.
- Strong verbal and written English to clearly discuss performance of your asset/process.
- Knowledge of Continuous Improvement skills, with the ability to deploy critical thinking.
- HACCP trained.
Senior Machine Operative (Velvetiser) in Hartford employer: Hotel Chocolat
Join our vibrant team at Hadley Park in Huntingdon, where we are dedicated to crafting world-class chocolate while prioritising employee well-being and growth. As a Senior Machine Operative, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous discounts on our products, and enhanced family leave policies, all within a supportive work culture that encourages continuous improvement and collaboration. With opportunities for professional development and a commitment to health and safety, we strive to create a fulfilling and rewarding environment for all our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Machine Operative (Velvetiser) in Hartford
✨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 Hotel Chocolat, 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 Senior Machine Operative (Velvetiser) in Hartford
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 Hotel Chocolat 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 Hotel Chocolat
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Hotel Chocolat, 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 Hotel Chocolat 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.
