Company Overview
Owton's Butchers is a family-run business renowned for its high-quality meat products and farm shop retailing across the south of England. We are committed to traditional craftsmanship, quality, and customer satisfaction, fostering a welcoming environment for both our customers and team members.
Join Our Growing Production Team
We are a successful and expanding wholesale butchery business supplying high-quality meat products to retail, catering, and foodservice customers. We are currently looking for a Processing Operative / Machine Operator to join our busy production department, manufacturing premium sausages, burgers, and other value-added meat products.
This is a hands-on role that combines food production duties with responsibility for operating, monitoring, and maintaining specialist processing equipment. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring production runs efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards.
The Role
Working within our meat processing department, you will be responsible for producing sausages and burgers while ensuring all production machinery is operated correctly, maintained, and kept in excellent working order. The shift patterns are either 22:00 - 07:00 (Sunday to Thursday) or 03:00-12:00 with overtime.
Key Responsibilities
- Operating sausage fillers, mixers, mincers, burger formers, and other production equipment.
- Manufacturing sausages, burgers, and related products to specification and production schedules.
- Setting up machinery and adjusting equipment to achieve optimum performance.
- Monitoring machine performance and identifying faults or maintenance requirements.
- Carrying out routine machine checks, cleaning, and preventative maintenance.
- Reporting breakdowns and liaising with management or maintenance contractors when required.
- Ensuring production targets are achieved while maintaining product quality.
- Preparing ingredients and raw materials for production.
- Completing production and machine maintenance records accurately.
- Maintaining excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety.
- Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within the department.
What We're Looking ForEssential Skills & Experience
Experience operating machinery within a food production, manufacturing, or processing environment.
Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot equipment issues.
Good understanding of health & safety procedures.
Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable Skills & Experience
Experience within the meat processing or butchery industry. (preferred but not essential)
Knowledge of sausage and burger manufacturing processes. (Preferred but not essential)
Food Hygiene and HACCP knowledge.
What We Offer
Competitive salary based on experience plus weekly bonus.
Full training and ongoing development.
Company pension scheme.
Staff discount on products.
Secure employment within a growing business.
Opportunities for career progression.
Supportive and friendly working environment.
Why Join Us?
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys both food production and machinery operation. You'll become an important part of a skilled team producing quality products while helping to ensure our equipment operates safely and efficiently every day.
- Operate and monitor meat processing machinery to ensure smooth production flow.
- Assist in the fabrication and preparation of meat products according to company standards.
- Maintain cleanliness and safety standards within the processing area.
- Perform routine maintenance on equipment to minimize downtime.
- Handle materials safely and efficiently, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Support inventory management by accurately recording processed quantities.
- Collaborate with team members to meet production targets.
- Follow all company policies and procedures to uphold quality standards.
- Qualifications
- Proven experience in machine operation or food processing is preferred.
- Mechanical knowledge and familiarity with fabrication processes are highly desirable.
- Ability to operate hand tools and basic machinery safely.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Good physical condition with the ability to handle materials efficiently.
- Basic math skills for measurements and record-keeping.
- Prior warehouse or assembly experience is advantageous but not essential.
- Willingness to learn and adapt within a dynamic environment.
'Join our dedicated team at Owton's Butchers and become part of a family that values craftsmanship, quality, and community. If you are passionate about food production and eager to contribute your skills, we would love to hear from you—apply now and help us continue our tradition of excellence!'
Pay: £12.71-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
