Job Description:

Packaging Operator / FLT Driver

Location: Damm Eagle Brewery, Havelock Street, Bedford, MK40 4LU
Department: Packaging Operations
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Total compensation: £37,824.39
Shift pattern: Three-week rotating shifts, Monday to Friday
Start: Immediate

The opportunity

We are recruiting a Packaging Operator to join the Packaging Operations team at Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford.

This permanent position combines packaging-line operation, forklift driving, production support and logistics activities. You will help operate the brewery’s canning and kegging lines while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, food safety and hygiene.

The successful candidate must be able to work the complete three-week rotating shift pattern.

Rotating shifts

• Week 1: 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
• Week 2: 2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
• Week 3: 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.

Applicants must be available for all three shifts, including nights.

Key responsibilities

• Operate and control packaging machinery safely and efficiently
• Run canning and kegging lines from start-up through to shutdown
• Operate palletisers, depalletisers, robots and associated automation
• Supply machinery with the materials needed to maintain continuous production
• Operate forklift and clamp trucks, including completing pre-use safety checks
• Load and unload inbound and outbound vehicles safely and efficiently
• Handle gas loading using FLT equipment when required
• Sort, inspect and handle kegs, including visual inspections and preparation of empty kegs
• Complete external visual inspections of finished products
• Carry out beer sampling and quality checks for kegs and cans
• Record production information, downtime, format changes and cleaning times
• Complete SAP transactions and enter quality data in LIMS
• Monitor process measures such as temperature and pressure
• Report equipment, quality and process issues promptly
• Support engineering colleagues with maintenance activities when required
• Maintain excellent housekeeping, cleaning and hygiene standards
• Follow health and safety, food safety, HACCP and Food Defence procedures
• Wear the correct PPE and report incidents, near misses and safety concerns

Essential requirements

A valid, up-to-date FLT licence

Valid counterbalance and reach-truck licences

Experience operating forklift trucks

Previous machinery-operating experience in a production, packaging or manufacturing environment

Experience loading and unloading trailers

A flexible and reliable approach to work

Ability to work the complete rotating shift pattern

Good computer literacy and confidence completing electronic records

Strong organisation and time-management skills

A positive attitude towards training and development

Immediate availability

The right to work in the UK

Reliable transport or the ability to reach the Bedford site for early, late and night shifts

Desirable experience

• Experience operating canning or kegging lines
• A shunter licence and previous shunter-driving experience
• Experience operating clamp or “top hat” trucks
• Knowledge of health and safety, food safety and HACCP principles
• Experience using SAP or a similar production system
• Experience using manufacturing execution or quality-management systems
• Knowledge of CIP processes, particularly keg CIP
• Experience working with product traceability procedures

What is offered

Total compensation of £37,824.39

Permanent, full-time employment

Monday-to-Friday working pattern

Training and development

A varied position combining production, machinery operation and logistics

The opportunity to join an established international brewing business

How to apply

Apply today with your current CV and details of your forklift licences.

Your application should confirm:

The types of FLT licence you hold and their expiry dates

Your production, packaging or manufacturing experience

Your machinery-operating experience

Whether you have operated clamp trucks or shunter vehicles

Your availability to start

Your ability to work all three rotating shifts

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to discuss the role and next steps. Any offer will be subject to licence verification and Damm’s standard pre-employment checks.