Job Description

Be part of something big

We look at what is wrong with food to figure out how to make it the best it can be, without being bound by the way it has always been done. This kind of innovative thinking has led Finnebrogue to multiple awards, nationwide acclaim and has established us as a leading food producer. In 2024, we were recognised as the UK’s Employer of the Year by Grocer Gold and the Best Place to Work in Northern Ireland by the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards. Our robust People Strategy offers career pathways and development opportunities for all employees, emphasising talent growth and wellbeing with generous benefits for all. We are proud to be the first food producer in the UK and Ireland to achieve the Diversity Mark accreditation and are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. With four sites in Downpatrick, County Down, our business continues to grow rapidly, with turnover growing from £50M to £200M in the past 6 years. Join us at Finnebrogue, where innovation meets excellence, and every team member is valued and empowered to grow.

The Role

The seasonal factory is looking for the following skilled roles to join the team:

• Trainee Vemag Operator
• Trainee Slicer operator
• Trainee Proseal Operator

The successful employee will be joining a team of fully trained machine operators.

This team is due to begin on the 7th June 2026, however training will be provided alongside the dayshift team in the week before the commencement of nightshift.

Duties include the below:

• Set up & operate machinery as per work instructions ensuring all H&S instructions are upheld.
• Ensure machine parts are cleaned to standard, fit for purpose, inspected regularly and any damage/defects reported/actioned.
• To correctly utilize the SI system, all ingredients scanned live to the systems for traceability purposes.
• To follow all SOPs and work instructions correctly to ensure compliance is met and customers receive the same high standard products.
• Efficiently and effectively, produce a variety of fresh products to an agreed specification and within scheduled time.
• To continually monitor and review the product quality and ensure food safety procedures are followed and action/report anything out of specification.
• Following strict PPE procedures to ensure no physical or chemical cross contamination.
• Ensuring that all relevant food safety and quality checks are completed in real time and without mistake.
• To ensure all equipment and surrounding area is kept clean, tidy and in safe working order by complying with all cleaning procedures.
• Achieving daily predetermined key performance targets set out by management.

What it takes

Essential

• No experience necessary as full training will be provided.
• Ability to work as part of a team with self-motivation and initiative
• Good communication skills – including completing paperwork and required checks

Desirable

• Health and Safety/ First Aid related qualification.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene/safety Qualification (or equivalent)
• Previous experience within a food production environment.
• Previous experience operating machinery.
• Experience delivering KPI targets.

Hours of work

Nightshift: Sunday to Thursday, from 6pm – 4am

Benefits

Working within one of our state of the art premises you will enjoy a range of benefits including the ability to relax during your break in a restaurant standard canteen with all meals subsidised. We even offer free breakfast and lunch options. You will enjoy free onsite car parking and electric charging points. You will be entitled to free products weekly (Up to 5 free products per person) through our award winning “Shack Initiative.” We have a packed calendar of wellbeing, social and sport events.

After you have settled into the Finnebrogue family your perks will only increase including a Healthcare plan, cycle to work scheme, new electric car scheme and we won’t forget the days that are important to you, you will receive your birthday as a holiday day! Our list of benefits continue to grow and you don’t have to just take our word for it. We have been awarded Irish News and Grocer Gold Employer of the Year as testimony to the exciting culture and benefits we offer.