MHC Machine Operator in Gloucester

Life tastes better with ice cream. With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We create iconic ice cream brands that are part of everyday life, bringing moments of joy to millions of people around the world. Everybody loves ice cream. And as the world’s biggest pure‐play ice cream company, we have the scale and ambition to make a real difference.

What truly sets us apart is how we work. We move fast and keep things simple. We turn ideas into action, trust people to take ownership, and work as one team to win together with integrity. Our culture is high‐performance, collaborative and focused on getting things done. We’re curious and ready for what’s next. We embrace digital, use data to make better decisions, and keep learning, including how AI can help us work smarter and serve consumers better.

Main Job Purpose:

The range of Machine Operator roles varies between categories and technologies, but generally sits within the Filling, Forklift and Material & Waste Transfer, Mixer, Packing & Reporting Job Families. The Machine Operator is responsible for the safe operation of production equipment to deliver customer requirements through completion of the production plan, adhering to quality standards and maximising cost effectiveness, optimal running and equipment efficiency. She/he is expected to carry out Autonomous Maintenance such as Cleaning Lubrication and inspection activities and record any issues/problems with the equipment which cannot be resolved by themselves to pass to the Technical Operator to resolve.

The Machine Operator should master the operation of a series of production machines within a complete production unit in order to provide factory resilience – this includes set-up, start-up, running, basic issue resolution, changeovers, cleaning (including allergens), inspection, shutdown & general safe working.

Key Skills and Responsibilities:

• Technical - Knowledge and application of technical skills to operate machinery safely and effectively in order to meet the production plan. Conduct inspections, cleaning and lubrication as required.
• Possesses a basic knowledge of the principles of mechanism, motion and pneumatics.
• Work to and maintain cleaning and checking standards of machinery responsible for.
• Understands properties of materials being handled; performs correct adjustment and setting.
• Proactively works with Professional Maintenance and Quality Control staff to reduce breakdowns and defects.
• Carry out product and process changeovers/washouts to maintain quality standards whilst minimising the impact to the production plan.

Operational Activities:

• Start-Up/Shutdown procedures - Carries out pre-start-up checks to ensure that the area and equipment is clean and is in a safe condition. Shuts down machines & equipment and the area.
• Changeovers – carries out changeovers between products in line with defined standards.
• Inspection & Issue Resolution – inspecting machines in operation and solving issues that arise to keep the machine running optimally.
• Cleaning – Keep area & machines clean and tidy in line with defined standards.
• Material Availability - Provides a continuous supply of appropriate packaging & raw material from local storage areas to the machine.
• Administration – Conducts effective hand-over activities and records accurately events that have occurred during shift (cases packed/rejects etc).

Safety – Working knowledge of the workplace and the hazards within it. Utilise appropriate safety and environmental procedures relating to the Sourcing Unit and allocated equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team. Machine operators are expected to raise SHE occurrences encountered on shift via safety tags, near miss forms, accident reports and other mechanisms where appropriate.

Workplace Hazards - Full knowledge of workplace and hazards within it. Utilise appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products and equipment relevant to the tasks in your area.

Environment / Waste - Reduce costs due to waste and minimise impact to health, safety and the environment through working to eliminate waste and through the correct management of waste and hazardous materials. Non-conformances to waste standards must be escalated via appropriate supervisory channel.

Quality - Monitors quality against set standards and reports any product, hygiene and packaging faults. Detects process abnormalities quickly and takes emergency action to prevent them. Machine operators are expected to raise quality non-conformances / risks encountered on shift via appropriate mechanisms.

Continuous Improvement – Knowledge and understanding of the key principles of continuous improvement and an awareness of the tools used to identify and prioritise time, cost and waste losses in the production area and eliminate them; role requires data collection. Monitor measures and performance after initial improvements and take further action as required.

Problem Solving – A Working Knowledge of how to identify, prioritise and address problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate recurrence. Must demonstrate initiative. Machine operators are expected to resolve issues in their area that are within their skillset.

Teamwork – Must be a good team player capable of working within a highly effective team; responsible, supportive and able communicator. Machine operators are expected to be able to coordinate production activities within the team including but not limited to changeovers, setup, cleaning, shutdown.

Training – it is expected that a machine operator will share their knowledge of their area with other team members.

Physical Ability – Machine Operators require a level of agility to move between workstations & ascend / descend steps. Machine operators must have a level of physical capability which allows them to carry / lift loads within agreed risk assessment limits & feed materials into a machine / manually-palletise, etc. Assembly and control operations also require a level of hand eye coordination and finger dexterity. Monitoring and Quality assurance tasks require an adequate level of sight and smell. Machine operators are often required to work up to 12hrs at a time on a shift pattern including nights & must be physically capable of doing so where required.

Technology – must be able to interact with computers & other interfaces to a basic level i.e. to input quality data, raising tags, transactional tasks with production order software, etc.

Other Requirements: Must be flexible to work other units / carry out other tasks where trained to do so.

Professional Qualifications: National school leaver qualifications in Reading and Comprehension, Writing and Mathematics. This will support recording of data, analysis of machine performance and general teamwork skills with an emphasis on good communication.

Experience Required:

• ESSENTIAL:
• Basic mechanical awareness of the principles for factory automation.
• Can maintain focus and discipline for the task whilst demonstrating good problem-solving skills to protect output targets.
• Have strong team-working skills and be willing to share their knowledge with colleagues and co-ordinate activities within their skillset.
• IT Skills – Competent in the use of Machine data and control systems that record Material Movement, Losses and Quality.

• PREFERRED / DESIRABLE:
• Experience as a Machine Operator.
• Experience of manufacturing in a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Company.
• Demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude to progress onto the Unilever Technical Operator Curriculum (Entry, Developing and Full level).

ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY:

With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations. The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formerly part of Unilever) is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers. Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it.

Here’s what defines success in our organization:

• We are all about growth
• We operate with speed and simplicity
• We win together with fun
• We boldly innovate to disrupt our industry
• We care and challenge
• We are experts in the Ice Cream Category

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

Please apply online and do not forget to upload your CV. Your application will be reviewed against the requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date, with an update on the status of your application.

Why join us?

This is a place for people who are passionate about ice cream and are growth obsessed - both for the business and for themselves. People who act like an owner and drive our business end-to-end. People who are driven by success to deliver more than we ever thought we could! You’ll thrive here if you value an inclusive culture, with low ego and hierarchy - and if you’re excited to continuously learn and challenge how we work, using digital, data, and new thinking to push us forward.

• Roles with real accountability and visible impact
• Free to move fast, experiment and challenge how things are done
• Continuous learning and development as the business grows
• Reward linked to performance and contribution.

Your career here is shaped by what you deliver, as you work across functions and markets and grow with the business.

Ready to build the future of Ice Cream?

If this sounds like the place where you'd thrive, we'd love to hear from you. Apply online and share your CV. We'll review your application and be in touch with the next steps. If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please let your Talent Acquisition Partner know.