Jobs in Hawkwell

Machine Operator

Location: Medway, Kent
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,000 to £30,000

We’re recruiting for a growing manufacturing business in the Medway area that is continuing to invest in new equipment, people and its wider production operation.

As part of that growth, they are looking for an experienced Machine Operator to join the team and take ownership of newly introduced automated production equipment.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on with machinery, understands how production equipment works and wants to join a business where there is genuine scope to develop as the operation continues to expand.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of automated manufacturing machinery, including:

Setting up and operating production machinery
Completing product and batch changeovers
Monitoring equipment throughout production runs
Making adjustments to maintain output and product quality
Identifying and resolving basic machine faults
Carrying out cleaning procedures between production runs
Completing production paperwork and maintaining accurate batch records
Following strict quality, hygiene and health and safety procedures
Supporting basic operator maintenance and preventative checks
Working closely with production, quality and engineering teams
Helping to embed new machinery and processes into the production operation

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone with genuine experience operating machinery within a manufacturing or production environment.

You don’t need to have worked with exactly the same equipment before, but you should be technically minded and comfortable understanding how machinery works rather than simply loading product and pressing start.

Experience in any of the following would be particularly relevant:

Food or beverage manufacturing
Pharmaceutical or nutraceutical production
FMCG manufacturing
Packaging or filling operations
Automated production environmentsIdeally, you’ll have experience with:

Machine setup
Product or format changeovers
First-line fault finding
Machine adjustments
Basic operator maintenance
Quality checks and inspections
Production paperwork and traceability
Cleaning and hygiene-controlled production processes

What Matters Most

We’re looking for someone who takes ownership of their machine and notices when something isn’t quite running as it should.

You’ll be someone who:

Is comfortable making basic machine adjustments
Can identify straightforward faults before escalating them
Takes pride in producing a high-quality product
Understands the importance of accurate paperwork and traceability
Works cleanly, safely and methodically
Is reliable and looking for a stable, long-term position
Is keen to learn new equipment and develop their technical skillsThe business is going through an exciting period of growth and investment, making this a strong opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career within manufacturing.

Interested? Apply today and we’ll be in touch to talk through the opportunity in more detail