Machine Operator at Unilever – July 2025

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Technical – Knowledge and application of technical skills to Operate, Maintain, Improve and Repair (OMIR) equipment.  This allows production targets to be met safely, at the right level of quality and on time.  Full Machine  Operator status is dependent on a high level of mechanical competence as defined by the skills profile.
• Understand the principles of mechanism and motion and be able to conduct changeovers, basic repairs and adjustments (eg Cams, slides, bearings, belts and pulleys).  Utilise appropriate lubrication regimes.
• Understanding of principles and application of pneumatics in the production area; able to conduct fault finding and basic repair.
• Monitor and evaluate the condition of equipment, machinery and components through the use of instrumentation and other diagnostic techniques.   Liaises with technicians to eliminate sources of contamination.
• Safety – Utilise all appropriate safety and environmental procedures relating to the manufacturing unit and allocated equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the whole team.  Understand the legal responsibility placed upon individuals.
• Work Place 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 environmental impacts and costs associated with utilities, chemicals and product and operational wastes through maximizing eco-efficient operation.
• Quality – Monitors quality against set standards and reports any product and packaging faults.  Detects process abnormalities quickly and takes emergency action to prevent them.
• Decision Making – Identifies repeated problems with production and repeated causes of breakdowns and suggests how to solve these.  Actively contributes to mechanical and continuous improvements.  Makes decisions to minimise production loss e.g mechanical improvements to reduce waste.  Makes decisions to support effective team working eg arranging cover and managing training.
• Continuous Improvement – Use performance measures to identify and prioritise losses in production area.  Apply rigorous Cost Management and the Zero loss concept to eliminate losses.
• Unilever Manufacturing Stanadrd, UMS – Knowledge and understanding of the key principles of UMS and the impact this has on the Key Performance Indicators in the production areas.
• Problem Solving – Identifies, prioritises and addresses problems using appropriate tools and techniques that eliminate recurrence.  Capable and confident of using Kaizen and other improvement tools.
• Leadership – Promote the development of a highly effective and autonomous team through strong communication, leading by example and effective problem solving and conflict management.  Maintains focus on goals and targets.
• Coaching – Champion specific skills within the semi autonomous and autonomous team and coach them to others in order to drive excellence.
• Business Awareness – Understanding of the need to meet changing demands and the role of marketing and product innovation in growing the business and increasing the company’s share.
• Administration – Collaborate with colleagues to arrange shift and break cover, induct new employees and address performance shortfalls to ensure that team resources can meet operational requirements.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Basic mechanical awareness of the principles for factory automation.
• Core Engineering Skills – Background in Maintenance, Bench fitting and/or machining to operate at Machine Operator Level – minimum of 2 years experience required.
• Experience of manufacturing in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company, FMCG.
• Demonstrate strong mechanical aptitude to progress onto the Unilever Technical Operator Curriculum (Entry, Developing and Full level).