Job Description

Job Title: Machine Operator

Business Function: Supply Chain

Location: Port Sunlight

JOB PURPOSE

The Machine Operator is responsible for safely operating material handling and production equipment to meet customer requirements. This includes completing, monitoring and optimising the production plan while maintaining safety, quality and operational standards, improving cost effectiveness, and maximising equipment performance and efficiency.

The Machine Operator communicates effectively, works collaboratively with the team, and helps make best use of downtime for improvement activity, capability building and personal development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety

• Follow all site health, safety and environmental rules, policies and procedures at all times to protect yourself and others in the workplace.
• Demonstrate safe working behaviours every day, encouraging others to do the same and challenging unsafe acts or conditions when seen.
• Identify and report health, safety and environmental hazards, near misses and unsafe situations promptly, taking appropriate action to reduce risk where required.
• Participate in regular safety, housekeeping and environmental inspections or audits and complete follow-up actions in a timely way.
• Carry out tasks in line with standard operating procedures and risk assessments and for which you are competent under your SOL.
• Contribute to and/or support reviews where required and/or contribute to the creation of new documentation where needs are identified.
• Comply fully with all relevant site controls, permits and environmental requirements linked to the production area.
• Minimise waste and environmental impact through good housekeeping and the correct handling, segregation and disposal of waste and hazardous materials.

Quality

• Follow all quality and hygiene standards, policies and procedures in your work area at all times.
• Demonstrate the expected quality and hygiene behaviours every day, encouraging others to do the same and challenging poor standards when you see them.
• Manufacture and rework products in line with quality procedures and standards to meet product quality targets while minimising waste.
• Take immediate action to address quality issues or abnormalities.
• Participate in investigations into quality non-conformances.
• Understand quality critical control points, ensure they are monitored, and raise any issues promptly.

Customer Service

• Carry out pre-start checks to ensure the area and equipment are clean and safe, in line with procedures.
• Start-up equipment safely in accordance with procedures.
• Shut-down equipment safely in line with procedures.
• Review and understand the weekly production plan, and work with the planning team to keep it optimised.
• Ensure the area runs at optimal speed throughout.
• Regularly review performance against plan and take corrective action where needed.
• Anticipate and respond quickly to issues to minimise any impact on customer service.
• Complete autonomous maintenance tasks in line with your competency and SOL (instructed level)
• Support equipment changeovers in line with your competency and SOL (instructed level).
• Complete product changeovers in line with the plan and competency level.
• Plan and execute work effectively with the line and planning teams to complete tasks on time, to standard, and with minimum changeover and run time.
• Escalate issues in a timely manner, where needed.

Cost

• Operate equipment to minimise waste and product giveaway.
• Maximise the reuse of product rework wherever possible.
• Identify and support improvements that reduce cost, waste and energy use.

Run To Standard

• Understand and participate in the area Run to Standard master plan
• Actively participate in the Run to Standard meetings and processes and provide board updates as required
• 5S - Understand, follow and implement and audit 5S standards and actively improve workplace organisation
• AM - Carry out cleaning, inspection and lubrication tasks to standard, as planned and constantly monitor equipment condition to anticipate breakdowns or any unplanned stoppages
• AM – Maintain equipment settings (centrelines) through structured measure and adjust
• PM - Support the cell team in optimising maintenance schedules and improvements and carry out maintenance activities to correct standard in line with your competency and SOL (instructed level).
• PM - Provide breakdown information and support Engineers in analysis and counter measures.
• PM - Highlight any issues with equipment and own the issue to closure using the correct recording procedures (tag)
• PM – ensure work area is back to original conditions after maintenance activities
• FI –Use performance measures to identify and prioritise losses (minor stops, changeovers)
• FI - Record and classify losses accurately; manage and use loss data effectively.
• FI – Actively support the cell team to embed a “Fix forever” mentality with appropriate countermeasures.
• FI –Apply Unilever Problem Solving tools to spot and mitigate faults before they directly impact the output or quality of product
• FI - Complete Quick Kaizens to identify improvements in work area
• FI - Contribute to the creation of procedures and risk assessments relevant to work area and seek feedback from cell team members. (to be signed off by Technical Operator or above)
• FI – Contribute to the improvement changeover times by the application of SMED (Changeover Improvement) techniques
• EEM - Support the project team on the new equipment or product projects and ensure a vertical ramp up and changes to all applicable procedure.

Communication and Teamwork

• Maintain excellent internal communications across all areas
• Maintain accurate and timely logs, activity boards
• Complete full and effective handovers
• Complete on call and cover requirements as required and in line with working agreements

Training and Development

• Complete all required training to the required standard and proactively ensure any refresher requirements are met.
• Actively participate in regular performance and skills assessments to ensure the update of performance and skills matrices
• Take personal ownership to close performance and skills gaps identified by requesting, arranging and completing training activities.
• Seek feedback from others to further development of own skills and raise standards.
• Embrace training and development of the full team, supporting other team members where appropriate.
• When appropriate and relevant to your skillset and competency, assist in workplace familiarisation of new team members.

Change

• Identify improvement opportunities that benefit the work methods reducing effort, time and cost.
• Drive best practices in safety and quality assurance by implementing efficient processes and collaborating with colleagues.
• Participate in change initiatives, such as new installations and trials. Track successes and failures where needed to provide feedback on successes and challenges.
• Support team members to ensuring smooth ramp-up and procedural changes for all.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Essential:

• GCSEs A-C or equivalent in Maths, English and Science
• Basic level of computing skills including MS Office and Excel
• Data interpretation and analysis
• Organisation and prioritisation skills
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• RTITB Counterbalance trained with License in date or other Material Handling Equipment relevant to the role

Desirable:

• Experience in a manufacturing or technical environment (FMCG)
• Practical creativity and Manual Dexterity
• Previous SAP experience

The ideal candidate for this role displays the 4 Unilever behaviours in their work:

Focus on what counts: Prioritize tasks that directly impact the safety and efficiency of the Production process. This could mean concentrating on high-priority packing lines or resolving bottlenecks in the automated systems. Show diligence by meticulously managing these tasks and taking personal accountability for their successful completion. Inspire others by consistently focusing on what matters most, such as ensuring timely and accurate order fulfilment.

Deliver with excellence: Strive for high standards in every aspect of your work. This involves attention to detail and a commitment to quality in all operations, including monitoring automated systems for errors and ensuring timely line supply. Demonstrate responsibility by owning the quality of your work and going above and beyond when the opportunity arises to exceed expectations, such as optimizing workflows to improve efficiency.

Stay 3 steps ahead: Anticipate potential issues before they arise, such as peak times for AGV movements, late plan changes or maintenance needs for automated equipment and organize your work accordingly. Be proactive in suggesting improvements to processes or workflows. Efficiently resolve challenges by staying vigilant and prepared for any disruptions, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations.

Care deeply: Show genuine concern for the well-being of colleagues and the satisfaction of customers. This might involve maintaining a safe and clean working environment, supporting team members, developing yourself and others, and ensuring that customer orders are handled with care. Maintain high standards in safety and lead by example by consistently showing care and commitment, such as conducting regular safety checks and providing training on new equipment.

By integrating these qualities, you not only embody the desired behaviours but also contribute to a more efficient, responsible, and supportive work environment in the Packing area.

Contacts

Strong communication and collaboration are essential in this role. You will work closely with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient and reliable delivery across the operation, including:

• Safety, Quality, Operations, Engineering and Planning teams
• Supervisors, coordinators and site management
• Contractors, visitors, stores, Unilever supply units, hauliers and third-party partners
• Distribution Centre colleagues

You will be expected to communicate clearly, professionally and patiently with different audiences, adapting your approach to suit the situation and ensuring key information is shared accurately and on time.

Key communication activities include shift handovers, shift logs, activity boards and email updates, as well as participation in operational, end-to-end and planning meetings where required. You will also need to coordinate effectively with colleagues to ensure role tasks are covered in line with site agreements, escalating risks, issues or changes promptly where needed.

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 embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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