Production / Line Technician in Harlow, Essex

Location: Harlow, Essex
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Hours: 41.25 hours per week
Shift Pattern: Rotating 2-week shift pattern

• Week 1: 06:00 - 14:15
• Week 2: 14:00 - 22:15
• Weekend coverage may be required

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Production / Line Technician to join a well-established food manufacturing business based in Harlow. Supplying products to major retailers and customers across the UK and internationally, the company operates a fast-paced, highly automated manufacturing facility focused on quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

This hands-on role is responsible for ensuring production lines and equipment operate safely, efficiently, and at optimum performance whilst maintaining the highest standards of product quality and food safety. The successful candidate will support day-to-day production activities through machine operation, fault finding, preventative maintenance, quality control, and process improvement initiatives.

• Operate and monitor high-speed food production and packaging equipment.
• Ensure production targets, efficiency levels, and quality standards are consistently achieved.
• Carry out machine set-ups, product changeovers, and machinery adjustments.
• Monitor line performance and respond quickly to minimise downtime.
• Support the efficient production of high-quality food products within a hygiene-controlled environment.

• Diagnose and rectify mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and process-related faults.
• Carry out routine equipment inspections and preventative maintenance activities.
• Assist engineering teams during planned maintenance and breakdown situations.
• Escalate complex technical issues where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs and production records.

• Conduct routine quality checks throughout the production process.
• Ensure products meet customer, company, and food safety standards.
• Support investigations into quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Adhere to all food safety, GMP, and hygiene procedures.
• Complete production and quality documentation accurately.

• Follow all health and safety procedures and safe systems of work.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards across production and work areas.
• Report hazards, near misses, and safety concerns promptly.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, food manufacturing standards, and operating procedures.

• Support waste reduction, efficiency, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and line performance.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects and team meetings.
• Contribute ideas that enhance production output, quality, and operational performance.

• Minimum 2 years' experience within a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience working within food, FMCG, packaging, or automated production.
• Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills.
• Experience operating and maintaining production machinery.
• Good mechanical aptitude and understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and food safety standards.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced production environment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

• Mechanical or electrical engineering qualification.
• Experience working within BRCGS, GMP, HACCP, or food manufacturing standards.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or 5S methodologies.
• Experience working with automated or PLC-controlled equipment.

• Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Long-term career progression within a growing manufacturing business.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Opportunity to work with advanced production equipment within a modern food manufacturing facility.

If you have experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, or a high-speed production environment and are looking for your next challenge with a growing and successful manufacturer in Harlow, we'd love to hear from you.