Machine Operator Opportunities

Job Title: Machine Operator Opportunities

Location: Gloucester Factory

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.

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 principals 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.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• 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).

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’  

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down. 

What can I do?

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat. 

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!