About us
At Vocation Brewery, we believe beer should be an experience. We brew beers of substance, integrity and importantly, bold flavour. Whatever their style, all our beers are distinctly Vocation; interesting, worthy of comment, and a pleasure to enjoy.
We have always followed our own path and sought to challenge convention. We continue to brew perched at the top of a hill, a place out on its own. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but it's somewhere we have space to think and space to brew. We continue to brew in a spirit of independence and camaraderie to make original beers that stand out from the crowd.
Our ambition is boundless, driven by a thirst to change drinkers’ perceptions and experiences of beer. Our success to date has been built on innovation, and this remains our relentless passion. We work hard to move things on and make things better.
Our beers are the work of many hands. We pride ourselves on our team spirit, on shared triumphs over adversities and shared values. We believe that success is earned and shared and that we win when we are at our best…always. In short, we love what we do.
If you have a passion and aptitude for achieving and sharing exceptional results you’d love it here.
About the role
As a Key Operator, you play a critical role within the Packaging Department, supporting the Packing Line Manager to deliver efficient, safe and high-quality production.
This is a hands-on role where you take ownership of packaging line performance during your shift. You are responsible for setting up, operating and optimising machinery, ensuring production runs smoothly and efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of safety, hygiene and product quality.
You are expected to carry out basic fault finding, respond quickly to breakdowns and short stops, and work to minimise downtime across the line. You ensure all required production and compliance documentation is completed accurately.
You also support the development of the team on shift, helping to train operatives, reinforce standards and ensure everyone is working to SOPs and best practice.
You lead by example, driving continuous improvement through 5S, visual management and practical problem solving.
At Vocation we believe that success is driven not only by what we choose to do but by the way in which we do it. This role requires someone who embodies Vocation’s values — Best we can be, Success is earned, and Success is shared.
About You:
Best we can be
· You take pride in delivering high standards in everything you do. You ensure machinery is set up correctly, processes are followed and product quality is never compromised.
· You are detail-focused and disciplined, understanding that consistency, hygiene and accuracy are critical to producing great beer. You lead by example in maintaining high housekeeping standards and driving 5S across your area.
· You actively look for ways to improve line performance, identifying bottlenecks and suggesting practical improvements that increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Success is earned
· You take ownership of your line and your shift. You are proactive, hands-on and accountable for delivering production targets safely and efficiently.
· You respond quickly to issues, using practical problem-solving skills to minimise downtime and keep production moving. You remain calm under pressure and focus on resolving problems effectively.
· You ensure all documentation, reporting and compliance requirements are completed accurately and on time. You are organised, reliable and consistent in your approach.
· You take responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment, challenging unsafe behaviours and ensuring standards are always upheld.
Success is shared
· You work closely with the Packing Line Manager and wider team to ensure smooth operations across the shift. You communicate clearly, support your colleagues and contribute positively to team performance.
· You support the training and development of operatives on shift, helping others understand processes, follow SOPs and improve their capability. You reinforce standards and lead by example in both performance and behaviour.
· You understand that strong team performance drives overall success and you actively contribute to a collaborative, supportive and accountable working environment.
Key results
Packaging Line Performance
· Deliver packaging KPIs on your shift, ensuring production targets are met or exceeded.
· Support delivery of OTIF (On Time In Full) production through effective line management.
· Set up and optimise machinery to maximise efficiency and output
· Reduce breakdowns and short stops through proactive monitoring and response
Equipment Operation & Fault Finding
· Operate and understand all equipment within the Packaging Department.
· Carry out basic fault finding and respond quickly to issues.
· Escalate maintenance concerns and work to minimise downtime.
· Support continuous improvement of equipment performance.
Quality, Hygiene & Compliance
· Maintain the highest standards of product quality at all times.
· Lead hygiene and housekeeping standards across your shift.
· Ensure all 5S and cleaning standards are consistently applied.
· Complete all production and compliance documentation accurately and on time
Safety Leadership
· Ensure a safe working environment across the packaging line.
· Challenge unsafe behaviours and reinforce safe working practices.
· Support a culture focused on risk awareness and prevention.
· Contribute to achieving zero lost time accidents within the department.
Continuous Improvement & Team Support
· Drive continuous improvement using tools such as 5S, visual management and bottleneck analysis.
· Identify and implement practical improvements to line performance.
· Support training and development of team members on shift.
· Deputise for the Packing Line Manager when required.
Key skills and experience:
Essential
· Strong understanding of manufacturing or packaging line environments.
· Ability to operate machinery and carry out basic fault finding.
· Strong problem-solving skills and ability to respond to issues quickly.
· Good communication and teamwork skills.
· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
· Reliable with good timekeeping and attendance.
· Physically capable of working in a production environment.
· Basic IT skills (Word, Excel, Teams).
Desirable
· Experience within brewing, food or FMCG manufacturing.
· Experience working with continuous improvement tools (5S, Lean).
· Experience training or supporting team members.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,168.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
- Store discount
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
