Production Operative

Date: 22 Jul 2026

Location: Nantwich, GB, CW5 6DN

Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited

Job Description

 

Job Title:                    Production Operative

Reports to:                Shift Manager

Location:                    Nantwich

Pay:                             Up to £15.03 per hour, depending on experience

Shift Pattern:             6am-2pm and 2pm-10pm, Monday to Friday rotating

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WAREHOUSE OPERATIVE

 

In this role, you will be working as part of a team on one of our state-of-the-art Production lines. You will carry out all Production-related tasks to produce the highest quality and great tasting products for some of our well-known customers. We utilise some of the latest interactive technology to monitor our product quality and measure our efficiency levels.

 

You will need to be able to operate within a challenging but rewarding factory environment that is physically demanding and can entail repetitive tasks. The role will be based within a chilled environment (less than 8 degrees) and will involve heavy lifting. The required PPE is provided by Ornua.

 

 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

 

  • Daily operation of machinery safely and efficiently to produce top quality products.
  • Report and/or correct safety issues. Maintain safety conditions of equipment and surroundings.
  • Perform quality inspections on materials and finished product. Quality checks to include, codes, seals and weights.
  • Responsible for accurate product/package/code changes.
  • CIP duties and surface foaming with mechanical cleaning for all other areas in accordance with specified cleaning schedules.
  • Carry out, Pre-start up checks and monitor equipment and process performance and correct /raise issues before they become problem.
  • Following GMP SOP’s and procedures. To achieve the right first time and GMP std's
  • Machine set up and changeovers for manufacturing operations. This includes following work instructions for equipment set up/ changeovers and following all work standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Work as a team member with other members of the operations team to meet and/or exceed quality and production set goals.
  • Set up & replace tooling on various equipment.
  • HACCP and Food Safety level 2
  • Coaching and mentoring team
  • Audit ready for any un-announced Customer audits

 

What we expect from you

 

  • You should possess a can-do attitude, be willing to work and enjoy being part of a team. In return you can expect the opportunity to work with a market leading company that encourages internal promotion by offering development opportunities to all.
  • Ideally, candidates should have experience of working in a Food Manufacturing environment, including, setting up Production lines and providing regular progress updates using internal systems
  • Good verbal, written and numerical skills are essential. 
  • Good understanding of Food Hygiene, quality and safety standards.
  • Able to work to strict standards of quality and accuracy in line with procedures alongside working in a methodical, systematic and precise manner.

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US IN RETURN

 

Brilliant benefits that include 31 days holiday (28 day + 3 Bank Hols), paid breaks, Onsite Physio, Company Shop (discounted products), Refer a Friend Cash Scheme, discount on bikes and Tech scheme, Company pension and many more

 

ABOUT ORNUA

 

Ornua is a leading dairy co-operative which sells premium dairy products globally on behalf of its Member Co-operatives, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. 

 

Ornua has revenues of €3.4 billion and is supported by a global team of approximately 2,800 employees. The Group operates as a commercial organisation across 10 business units, including 12 production facilities located in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. 

 

The Commercial Division is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer brands including Ireland’s most successful food export: Kerrygold. Consumer markets are served by production facilities in Ireland, Germany and the UK and by in-market Sales & Marketing Teams in Asia, Germany, Ireland, MEA, Poland, Spain, rest of Europe and North and Latin America. 

 

It also manages the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products, the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers globally, and the implementation of de-risking and trading strategies to manage market volatility. These activities are supported by production facilities and in-market teams in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. 

 

ORNUA’S VALUES

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

 

ORNUA’S GROWTH

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Transforming for Growth’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business and. we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.

 


Job Segment: Sustainable Agriculture, Agriculture