Assistant Technical Machine Operator

Role Overview

This position keeps the packing line running to plan across every shift — operating and watching over packaging equipment, holding product within weight and quality specification, and capturing the data that shows how the line actually performed. Reporting to the Fawema Operator, the job holder owns the daily discipline of the line: meeting volume targets, protecting safety and GMP standards, and surfacing faults before they become lost production. Done well, the role safeguards output, product integrity and the reliability of the packaging assets themselves.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver line output: run the assigned packing line to the shift plan and reach at least 85% of the planned production volume.
• Manage handover and shift discipline: carry out a physical walk-through of the line with proper documentation at handover, and restart packing promptly once the scheduled 30-minute break ends.
• Verify weights and coding: perform and record check-weight verification every 10 minutes before and throughout packing, and confirm product identification and date coding every 30 minutes — correct stamps, correct baler usage, and adherence to approved changeover steps.
• Inspect packed product: check continuously for uniform packet folding and sealing and for complete, consistent glue application across the folds.
• Own housekeeping and GMP: restore GMP and housekeeping standards after each changeover and at shift close, deep clean equipment, and inspect equipment and processes for any signs of infestation.
• Reconcile packaging materials: count, reconcile and record balers, packets, tickets and consumables shift by shift so all material usage is fully accounted for.
• Track downtime and perform autonomous maintenance: log every stoppage with its duration and cause, carry out routine cleaning, inspection, lubrication and defect identification on the packing machinery, support AM and PM work including improving access to hidden areas, and keep guards, doors and safety switches operational and never bypassed.
• Escalate, coach and improve: raise machine faults, maintenance needs and safety risks promptly and see them through to resolution; take part in face-to-face accountability discussions; coach and mentor palletizers and tapers; and drive efficiency gains through PaTaMu and PDCA to clear bottlenecks.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
• A minimum of one year of working experience in an FMCG environment.
• Hands-on experience in machine operation and maintenance.
• Exposure to the grain processing industry.
• Solid understanding of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) principles and practice.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose mechanical and process faults quickly and act on them.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office for capturing and reporting operational data.

What We Offer / Why Join

The role is supported by planned training to build your competences, regular monthly performance reviews with your supervisor, and a structured coaching and mentoring relationship — including the opportunity to develop palletizers and tapers on your line. You will also take part in organising site events and initiatives, and be expected to live out Unga's FIRST culture code in day-to-day work.