At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to produce world-class chocolate while ensuring quality and efficiency.
- Company: Join one of the UK's favourite premium chocolate brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discounts on products, and enhanced leave policies.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to reinvent chocolate and make people happy.
- Qualifications: Food Safety Level 2 and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33423 - 33423 £ per year.
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 changeovers, driving the team in completion of the required plan whilst taking into consideration cost, quality and efficiency.
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: £33,423.00 per annum
- Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday on a weekly rotating shift pattern of 6 am – 2 pm and 2 pm – 10 pm
- Company benefits: enhanced maternity and paternity leave, company pension contributions
- 50% discount on all products
- 70% discount for you and your guests when staying at our Rabot Estate hideaway on the paradise island of Saint Lucia
Location: Factory ‘Hadley Park’, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (5 minutes off the A141, 1.3 mi from Huntingdon train station, direct rail links to London King’s Cross)
Responsibilities
- Lead and coach the production line team, owning start‑up, shut‑down and change‑over procedures
- Ensure the production line meets the required plan, cost, quality and efficiency targets while maintaining a target quality loss of less than 1% and achieving 'Right First Time' performance
- Set up and maintain machinery such as chocolate tempering machines, mixers, depositing systems, multi‑headed weighers, sachet packing machines and more; carry out clean‑downs between products and perform line start‑up inspections to eliminate cross‑contamination
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure all required items (machinery, ingredients, packaging) are available and ready for efficient line operation
- Communicate shortages or discrepancies to the line manager in a timely manner, support plan completion, and report breakdowns as required
- Maintain 100% compliance with product specifications, GMP, Health & Safety, Food Safety, hygiene, and PPE policies
- Complete all mandatory paperwork and approvals, and participate in external audit reviews
- Support training and mentoring of new starters, ensuring all team members meet required standards
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, plan and deliver saving projects, and demonstrate improvement tools such as 5S and Kaizen
- Cultivate a culture of pride and continuous improvement across all shifts
Qualifications
- Essential: Food Safety Level 2 qualification, HACCP trained, knowledge of KPIs, strong verbal and written English
- Desirable: continuous improvement skills, critical thinking, experience with 5S/Kaizen tools
About Us
We’re one of the UK’s favourite premium chocolate brands, with a range of luxury gifts, alcohol and pioneering drinking chocolate system, the Velvetiser™. We’re a market leader with more than 100 stores across the UK, and continue to grow across multi‑category, multi‑channel and multi‑territory networks.
Senior Machine Operative (Velvetiser) in Huntingdon employer: Hotel Chocolat
Join a dynamic team at one of the UK's favourite premium chocolate brands, where your role as a Senior Machine Operative will be pivotal in delivering world-class chocolate products. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through training and mentoring opportunities, alongside generous benefits such as enhanced maternity and paternity leave, a company pension scheme, and substantial discounts on our exquisite products and stays at our Rabot Estate hideaway in Saint Lucia. Located conveniently in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with excellent transport links, this is an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a thriving environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Machine Operative (Velvetiser) in Huntingdon
✨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 Huntingdon
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.
