NEW VACANCY! (PK9088) MACHINE OPERATOR - DAYS ESSEX SALARY £14.90 PER HOUR Overtime Available 22 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays Life Insurance 2x Salary MONDAY TO THURSDAY: 7.30AM TILL 4PM / FRIDAY: 6AM TILL 12PM Our client is an independent manufacturer of bespoke cardboard tubes and cores producing millions of tubes annually, ranging from small diameters to large custom sizes, serving a wide range of sectors from industrial packaging, postal tubes, display/film props and carpet cores. They are looking for an experienced Machine Operator to join their printed and labelled cardboard tube production team. You will be responsible for setting up, operating and maintaining winding, labelling and finishing machinery, ensuring all packaging meets their high-quality standards. Key Responsibilities: Responsible for setting up, operating and monitor machinery for winding, cutting, labelling and finishing cardboard tubes Adjust machine settings (speed, tension, alignment, adhesives) to meet targets Perform start-up, shutdown and changeover procedures efficiently Load materials (cores, labels, adhesives, wraps) & maintain continuous machine operation Inspect tubes for print alignment, label placement, cuts, seams, and overall finish Measure product dimensions to ensure compliance with specifications Identify and reject out-of-spec products, escalating issues as needed Accurately record production and quality data Routine machine maintenance (lubrication, cleaning, blade changes, alignment checks) Report mechanical issues promptly to the maintenance team Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area in line with 5S standards Adhere to all company safety policies and procedures Wear required PPE and participate in safety training Report hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately Collaborate with colleagues to achieve production targets Support lean manufacturing initiatives and efficiency improvements Contribute ideas to reduce waste and increase throughputRequirements: Previous manufacturing or machine operation experience (packaging, print, converting, labels, tissue, cardboard, or similar industries preferred) Experience with tubular winding machines, label applicators, or cutting/finishing equipment (Desirable) Basic maintenance or engineering skills (Desirable) Mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn new machinery Strong attention to detail with high-quality awareness Ability to follow technical instructions and production specifications Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Good communication skills and ability to work in a small, collaborative team