Machine Operator

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

The range of Machine Operator roles varies between categories and technologies, but generally sits within the Filling, Forklift and Material Transfer, Mixer, Packing, Reporting, Shaping and Water Machinery 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 cleaning and inspection activities and record any issues/problems with the equipment to pass to the Technical Operator to resolve.  The Machine Operator should master the operation of a series of machines to provide factory resilience.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Technical - Knowledge and application of technical skills to Operate machinery safely and effectively to meet the production plan.  Conduct cleaning and lubrication as required.
  • Possess a basic knowledge of the principles of mechanism, motion and pneumatics.
  • Maintain machinery to the prescribed standards and levels of cleanliness. 
  • Understand properties of materials being handled.  Able to perform correct adjustment and setting.
  • Proactively work with Professional Maintenance and Quality Control staff to achieve zero breakdowns and zero defects.
  •  Carry out product and process changeovers/washouts to maintain quality standards whilst minimising the impact on the production plan.

• Safety –Utilise all appropriate safety and environmental procedures relating to the Sourcing Unit and allocated equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team.  Understand the legal responsibility placed upon individuals. 
• Workplace Hazards - Full knowledge of the workplace and hazards within it.  Utilise all appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products and equipment relevant to the task.

• Environment - 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.
• Quality - Monitors’ quality against set standards and reports any product and packaging faults.  Detects process abnormalities quickly and takes emergency action to prevent them.
• UMS and Continuous Improvement – Knowledge and understanding of the key principles of UMS AM pillar and an awareness of the tools used to identify and prioritise 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.
• Decision Making -   Can make decisions to reject non compliant products and to support the work plan for the day.
• Teamwork – Must be a good team player capable of working within a highly effective team; responsible, supportive and able communicator.
• Administration - Conducts effective hand-over activities and records accurate events that have occurred during shift (cases packed/ rejects/maintenance conducted etc).
• Physical Ability – Machine Operators require a level of agility to move quickly between workstations, ascend and descend steps.  Assembly and control operations also require a level of hand eye coordination and finger dexterity.
• Other Requirements:

• Must be flexible within pattern of shift work to accommodate factory shutdowns, training courses etc.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & 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.

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.
• IT Skills – Competent in the use of Machine data and control systems that record Material Movement, Losses and Quality.  Must also be competent in the use of Microsoft Office; Excel and Word programmes.

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).

Skills

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! 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. 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

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