Apprentice Machine & Production Line Operator

Bespoke Canners Ltd
Location: Alyn Industrial Estate, Wrexham, LL12 9YG
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Reports to: Factory Manager / Production Supervisor
Contract: Apprenticeship

About the role
Bespoke Canners is looking for an enthusiastic and practically minded Apprentice Machine & Production Line Operator to join our production team.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in engineering, machinery, manufacturing or food and drink production to learn a skilled role while gaining practical workplace experience and working towards a recognised apprenticeship qualification.
You will be trained to set up, operate, monitor and clean machinery used throughout our drinks production process, including mixing, canning, pasteurising and packing equipment.
No previous machine-operating experience is required. We are looking for someone with a practical approach, good attention to detail and a genuine willingness to learn.

What you’ll learn and do
Working alongside experienced members of our production team, you will gradually learn how to:

• Set up and operate canning and pasteurising equipment.
• Operate machinery associated with drink mixing, canning, pasteurising and packing.
• Carry out pre-production equipment and safety checks.
• Complete product and packaging changeovers.
• Monitor machinery and production lines during operation.
• Recognise stoppages, incorrect machine operation and potential product-quality issues.
• Make basic machine adjustments within the limits of your training.
• Safely shut down production equipment.
• Identify equipment wear, leaks, damage or unusual operation.
• Assist with routine maintenance once appropriately trained.
• Follow safe machine isolation procedures before cleaning, adjustments or clearing blockages.
• Escalate mechanical faults requiring specialist attention.

Quality control and production records

An important part of your apprenticeship will be learning how we maintain consistent product quality and food safety.
You will learn to:

• Accurately measure and record production information.
• Monitor quantities, temperatures, production times and machine settings.
• Carry out quality checks on mixed drinks and filled cans.
• Check can seams, pasteurisation conditions, date codes and packaging.
• Complete batch records and production documentation.
• Maintain ingredient, packaging and finished-product traceability.
• Recognise when results fall outside agreed limits and understand when production needs to be stopped or products held for further investigation.

Full training will be provided before you are expected to undertake these activities independently.

Cleaning, hygiene and food safety
You will also learn the cleaning and hygiene procedures required within a professional drinks manufacturing environment, including:

• Cleaning and sanitising mixing, canning, pasteurising and packing equipment.
• Maintaining high standards of personal hygiene and housekeeping.
• Following food safety and allergen-control procedures.
• Understanding contamination risks and preventative controls.
• Safely handling cleaning products and equipment.
• Maintaining a clean and organised production environment.

Three-phase development programme
Alongside your apprenticeship training, you will progress through Bespoke Canners’ structured three-phase machine operator development programme.
Each phase has defined training objectives and practical competency assessments.

Phase 1 – Foundation & Supervised Operation
You will learn the fundamentals of:

• Site hygiene and food safety.
• Machinery and workplace safety.
• Equipment cleaning and preparation.
• Basic machine operation under supervision.
• Production measurements and record keeping.
• Supporting experienced operators with equipment setup and production.

Phase 2 – Competent Operation & Setup

As your skills develop, you will progress towards:

• Safely operating assigned machinery.
• Completing routine machine setups.
• Carrying out product and packaging changeovers.
• Performing required quality checks.
• Maintaining accurate production records.
• Recognising and resolving common operating issues within your authorised limits.

Phase 3 – Full Line Operation & Coordination
The final phase will develop your ability to:

• Operate across the agreed mixing, canning, pasteurising and packing processes.
• Set up and coordinate the production line.
• Monitor production output and product quality.
• Identify operating problems.
• Communicate production requirements and issues effectively with colleagues.
• Take greater responsibility for the safe and efficient operation of the line.

Progression through each phase will be based on achieving documented objectives and successfully completing a practical competency assessment.
Pay will increase as agreed competency stages are successfully achieved and formally signed off, giving you the opportunity to increase your earnings as your skills and responsibilities develop.

What we’re looking for
You don’t need previous factory or machine-operating experience. Your attitude and willingness to learn are particularly important to us.

We are looking for someone who:

• Enjoys practical, hands-on work.
• Has an interest in machinery, engineering or manufacturing.
• Is reliable, punctual and responsible.
• Has good attention to detail.
• Is comfortable with basic maths and measurements.
• Can follow written instructions and procedures carefully.
• Takes workplace safety seriously.
• Is interested in understanding how machines work.
• Is willing to develop mechanical and problem-solving skills.
• Can work effectively as part of a team.
• Is willing to learn different parts of the production process.
• Is comfortable working in an active production environment involving standing and handling materials.

Previous experience with machinery, production equipment, engineering, manufacturing or
practical/mechanical work would be advantageous but is not essential.

Training and qualifications
You will receive comprehensive workplace training, which will include:

• Machine setup and operation
• Food hygiene and food safety
• HACCP
• SALSA requirements relevant to your role
• Production quality control
• Measuring and recording
• Product traceability
• Machinery safety and isolation
• Cleaning and sanitisation
• Manual handling
• Electric pallet truck operation
• Forklift operation where appropriate
  You will only operate machinery or undertake adjustments and maintenance activities once you have received the appropriate training and authorisation.
  Alongside your workplace development, you will work towards an appropriate recognised apprenticeship qualification with an approved training provider.

Career progression
This apprenticeship is intended to provide a genuine pathway into a skilled manufacturing role.
Following successful completion of your apprenticeship and competency programme, opportunities may be available to progress into roles such as:
Machine Operator → Skilled Line Operator → Senior Operator → Production Supervisor / Team Leader
There may also be opportunities to develop specialist skills in areas such as production engineering, maintenance, quality, food safety and production management as your experience grows.

About Bespoke Canners
Bespoke Canners is a specialist drinks manufacturing business providing canning and production services for customers within the beverage industry.

Our production operation covers drink preparation, mixing, canning, pasteurising, packing
and dispatch, providing apprentices with the opportunity to understand the complete
manufacturing process.
We are looking for someone who wants to develop practical technical skills and become a
long-term member of our production team.

Working hours
37.5 hours per week
Apprenticeship training will form part of your overall development programme, with arrangements confirmed with the successful candidate and training provider.

How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a short introduction telling us:

• Why you are interested in the apprenticeship.
• Why working with machinery or within manufacturing appeals to you.
• Any practical, mechanical, engineering or technical experience or interests you have – this could be through school, college, hobbies or previous employment.

Previous manufacturing experience is not required.
We are interested in finding someone with the right attitude, practical aptitude and willingness to learn and develop.

Bespoke Canners Ltd is an equal opportunities employer.