Press Operator

Experienced Power Press Setter/Operator
Location: Bradford
Department: Press Shop
Contract: Full-time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, rotating three-shift pattern
Hourly rate: £13.86–£15.49, depending on relevant experience
Are You an Experienced Power Press Operator?
Aqumen Recruitment is working on behalf of a well-established manufacturing business in Bradford to recruit an experienced Power Press Setter/Operator.
This is not a general machine operator position. Applicants must have previous hands-on experience operating power presses within a manufacturing environment. Experience operating unrelated production machinery alone will not be sufficient.
The successful candidate will safely set and operate power presses of up to 40 tonnes, install and change tooling, inspect manufactured components and help the Press Shop achieve its production, quality and health and safety targets.
Key Responsibilities as a Press Operator:
* Set and operate power presses of up to 40 tonnes safely and efficiently.
* Install, change and correctly position press tooling.
* Set up power presses and associated ancillary equipment for production runs.
* Complete tooling changeovers in accordance with established SMED procedures.
* Monitor press performance throughout the production process.
* Inspect pressed components using appropriate measuring and inspection equipment.
* Complete production and quality inspection records accurately.
* Identify, isolate and report non-conforming components.
* Diagnose and rectify minor power press operating faults within your level of training and authority.
* Report press breakdowns, tooling problems and maintenance requirements promptly.
* Package, label and store finished components correctly.
* Maintain excellent housekeeping and safety standards within the Press Shop.
* Assist with the safe segregation and disposal of production scrap.
* Follow all company health, safety, quality and environmental procedures.
* Support production targets and continuous-improvement activities.
Essential Power Press Experience
To be considered for this position as a Press Operator, you must have:
* Previous experience operating power presses within a manufacturing environment.
* Practical experience setting presses or assisting with tooling changes.
* Experience working with press tooling and pressed components.
* A good understanding of power press operating, guarding and safety procedures.
* Experience completing component quality inspections.
* Competence using measuring and inspection equipment.
* Experience working within a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.
* The ability to work safely and accurately with minimal supervision.
* Good literacy and numeracy skills.
* The flexibility to work morning, afternoon and night shifts.
Candidates whose experience is limited to CNC machines, injection moulding machines, packing machinery, assembly equipment or other general production machinery may not be suitable unless they also have direct power press experience.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
● Recognised power press operator or setter training.
● Power press safety or PUWER-related training.
● Experience operating presses of up to 40 tonnes.
● Experience completing tooling and product changeovers.
● A valid Counterbalance Forklift Truck licence.
● Additional role-specific training may be provided for a suitably experienced Power Press Operator.
Shift Pattern
You will work a rotating three-shift pattern:
● Morning shift: 6:00am–2:00pm
● Afternoon shift: 2:00pm–10:00pm
● Night shift: 10:00pm–6:00am
The contracted working week is 37.5 paid hours.
What Is on Offer?
● An hourly rate of £13.86–£15.49, depending on relevant power press experience.
● 32 days’ annual leave, including statutory holidays.
● Company sick pay scheme.
● Ongoing power press and technical training.
● Opportunities for skills development and progression.
● A stable, full-time position with an established manufacturing business.
● A modern production environment focused on quality and continuous improvement.
How to Apply
Please submit an up-to-date CV clearly showing:
● The types of power presses you have operated.
● The tonnage of the presses you have worked with.
● Whether you have personally set presses or completed tooling changes.
● The products or components you have manufactured.
● Any relevant power press safety training or qualifications.
● The employers and dates where you gained your power press experience.
Applications that do not demonstrate previous power press experience may not be progressed.
Aqumen Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy