Machine Operator

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 d