Overview
This is an exciting time to join Willie’s Cacao as we are moving our Chocolate Factory from Devon to Herefordshire. We have built the new factory from scratch and are recruiting the team to take us on the next stage of our journey.
These are full time, permanent, 8.30am to 5.30pm roles. They are based in The Chocolate Factory at Nordan, Leominster HR6 OAJ. You need to be able to communicate easily in English.
We have 2 jobs operating and maintaining the main chocolate making machines.
- 2 Roaster & Machine Operator jobs: roasting the beans, making the caramel and operating the other chocolate making machines. These jobs start from the June 1st 2026.
- 1 Knobel Machine Operator job: operating the computer driven depositing and moulding line. This job starts from c. 25th May 2026. You would ideally spend the first 2 weeks being trained in our current factory in Devon. We would pay for you to stay in a hotel Monday - Friday to do this
Willie’s Cacao makes some of the world’s finest chocolate from bean to the bar, using single estate beans and completely natural ingredients. We make many different types of chocolates from bars to truffles and hot chocolate. There are many stages of production, eg roasting and shelling the beans, making caramel, conching chocolate, tempering and depositing chocolate, pressing cocoa powder, packing in various packaging formats. The factory is SALSA accredited, so we have quality, traceability and health and safety controls at all stages of production.
Responsibilities for all Machine Operator jobs
- Setting up the machines according to set procedures to ensure the machines start up and operate correctly.
- Operating machines during production following standard processes and health and safety procedures. Adjusting machine settings as needed. Ensuring there are minimal unplanned stops and minimal waste.
- Keeping the machines running well and in good condition with cleaning and ongoing maintenance. Able to inspect parts, make adjustments and tool changes.
- Communicate with other team members to ensure the overall production plan is met.
Responsibilities for The Roaster & Machine Operators
- Responsible for all the machines that make the chocolate: the roaster, sheller, cocoa butter press, caramel maker and conche refiners. Some of these machines are modern and computer driven, some are old and mechanical.
- Loading the machines / making the chocolate according to set recipes, to the required quality and taste. You need to be able to taste when the beans, or chocolate or caramel are ready and correctly made.
- You may also operate other machines for example wrapping machines.
- Drive the forklift if have licence or are happy to be trained
Responsibilities for The Knobel Machine Operator
- Your responsibility would be for the process in which tempered liquid chocolate is deposited into moulds and then cooled, ready to be demoulded and packed. You would set up, operate, troubleshoot and perform preventive maintenance on the Knobel line, including the Sollich and Selmi tempering machines, the depositing machine, vibrating table and cooling tunnel. You would run and monitor the line using software controls.
Experience:
· Experience as a machine operator using both simple mechanical machines and also machines that are driven by computer software and touch screens.
· Knowledge of production procedures and ideally experience with food production
· Problem solving with machines.
Skills
Training will be provided but it would be helpful to have the following:
· Good taste is necessary for roasting and cooking caramel so you can tell when it tastes right.
· Mechanically minded (understands how machines work)
· Good concentration for long periods
· Able to understand and communicate in English
· Physical stamina (and strength for the Roasters), able to handle equipment and materials
· Attention to detail, careful and precise, calm and focused
· Happy to learn new skills
· Able to work both independently and in teams
· Forklift licence ideal, but this can be taught
Pay: £14.50-£16.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- How long would it take you to travel from home to the factory at Nordan, Leominster HR6 0AJ
- Are you able to work the standard factory hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
- Do you have a preference for the Roaster & Machine Operator role or the Knobel Operator role?
Experience:
- food or drink manufacturing: 1 year (preferred)
- operating simple mechanical factory machines: 1 year (preferred)
- operating factory machines driven by computer software: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
