Are you experienced within manufacturing processes and looking for your next challenge? Do you want to work with the market leader in banknote production?
We have an exciting opportunity for a Pre-Press Operator to join our team at our site in Loughton, Essex. Reporting to the Pre-Press Manager, you will be required to support operations by ensuring smooth running of our Pre-Press area.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will be required to specialise in a minimum of two of the Pre-Press key activities listed below.
1. Ink Manufacture and Supply - Operate ink‑mixing and weighing equipment, maintain stock rotation, and ensure accurate Sage entries and daily ink delivery to presses.
2. Roller Preparation - Prepare and coat wiping rollers, operate the lathe, maintain consumables and work with suppliers to keep stock levels on track.
3. Filtration Plant - Produce and monitor solutions, manage waste safely, troubleshoot issues and oversee safe handling of chemicals and deliveries.
4. Barrel Maintenance - Maintain numbering boxes and ensure barrels and related materials are available for production.
5. Kiln Room - Manufacture covert materials in line with SOPs and strict security procedures.
Health and Safety - Maintain high housekeeping standards, follow all HSE procedures, use PPE correctly and support continuous improvement and asset care.
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Double Day shift pattern – Monday to Friday, 6am – 2pm or 2pm - 10pm (alternated weekly).
From 31st August 2026, we will transition to a 24/5 Shift Pattern - consists of 3 crews of 12-hour shifts of either: 6.00 am to 6.00 pm; and 6.00 pm to 6.00 am, Monday to Friday rota. Attendance is 40 hours per week on average, including a 30-minute unpaid break plus a 15-minute unpaid break to be taken during the shift.
Base location: Debden
Basic Salary: £39,031 per annum on Double Days, rising to £41,313 per annum on 24/5 shift pattern. Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period, this will rise to £43,823 per annum.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
* Understanding of all printing processes and associated security procedures
* Detailed understanding of Prepress areas SOP’s and risk assessments (desirable)
* Knowledge of handling hazardous substances - COSHH
* Good knowledge of Health, Safety and Environmental requirements
* Good understanding of relevant IMS procedures
* Understanding of Continuous Improvement Tools and Techniques
* A thorough knowledge of numbering box requirements and plate requirements to suit those processes
About De La Rue
De La Rue is a leading supplier of currency solutions and a long-standing trusted partner to central banks and governments worldwide. Our products underpin the integrity of economies and trade, enabling businesses and citizens to participate securely in their respective economies.
With a heritage spanning over 200 years, we remain a global leader in advancing security and integrity for currency solutions, supplying 54% of the world’s central banks and manufacturing in the UK, Europe & Asia. We produce fully finished banknotes, polymer substrate, security and currency services.
Benefits
* Double Day shift pattern: 26 days annual leave + bank holidays.
* 24/5 shift pattern: 17 days annual leave + bank holidays
* Contributory pension scheme (De La Rue pay 1.5x the employee’s contribution – employee contributions up to a maximum of 6%, with employer contributions up to a maximum of 9%)
* Life assurance - 4x your annual salary
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Subsidised Gym Memberships
* Various other perks and Employee Assistance packages
* Enhanced family friendly policies (e.g., four weeks paid paternity leave)