Focus Technician/Maintenance Technician (Making Plant)

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Focus Technician/Maintenance Technician (Making Plant)

Business Function: Supply Chain

Location: Port Sunlight Factories

About Unilever 

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’  

JOB PURPOSE 

The primary focus of the Focus Technician (FT) role is on professional maintenance and secondary ​focus on focused improvement. The job holder is accountable for mean time between failure, the overall maintenance plan for of their work area and ultimately the performance of the Make Plant operational areas. The role holder is responsible for completion of Emergency Work Orders (EWOs) to root cause using continuous improvement World Class Manufacturing methodology (WCM) and Run to Standard (RTS) methodologies, ensuring that countermeasures are fully implemented.

The role holder conducts focused improvement work in their area to support performance and operational efficiency.  The FT acts as ‘company contact’ and manages permits for own area and supports the wider Focused Technician team in this regard.

The main expectation of the FT is to work flexibly during the week to ensure they are driving performance, leading the PM activities and ensuring that Make Plant Operators are working to the AM standards to maintain basic conditions in the Make Plant to prevent breakdowns.

As a minimum the FT must be at a Skilled Level in one discipline either Mechanical or Electrical and at an Instructed Level in the other discipline, however all role holders are encouraged to reach Skilled and Skilled level.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Safety

• Ensure company safety policy, rules, and procedures are understood and followed at all times, encouraging everyone to behave safely and challenging unsafe behaviour.
• Actively contribute to a safe working environment and culture by identifying and reporting health or safety hazards and dangerous situations involving Unilever personnel, site contractors, third parties, and visitors.
• Participate in regular inspections/audits for good housekeeping and area safety, ensuring agreed actions are completed.
• Execute tasks in line with Risk Assessments (RAs). Support in reviewing existing and new RAs. Support in creating RAs where none exist.

Quality

• Adhere to quality standards and principles implemented in the Making Plant, reporting and escalating potential quality issues.

Customer Service

The impact of the Focus Technician’s decisions will be felt quickly; therefore, an immediate response is required to address any issues which may arise.

The Focus Technician will need to:

• React to breakdowns quickly and resolve them to avoid/minimise impact to production lines.
• Keep stakeholders informed of breakdowns and escalate issues in a timely manner, where needed.

Run To Standard

• Pro-actively support WCM pillar activities providing feedback and promoting application on the site.
• Define, follow, maintain and improve 5S standards and workplace organisation.

• Understand and participate in the Run to Standard master plan.

• Support the Leader in optimising maintenance schedules and reviewing team activities.
• Restore work area to original condition after maintenance.
• Report equipment issues using proper procedures such as the tag database.

• Monitor equipment condition to prevent breakdowns, monitoring loss patterns using Focused Improvement (FI) tools.

• Provide breakdown information and carry out root cause analysis and implement counter measures as required embedding a “Fix forever” mentality
• Track tags and ensure safety tags are addressed within 24h and maintenance tags within 7 days.
• Reach out to suppliers to find spares and ensure required spares are in place in stores
• Record and classify losses accurately; manage loss data effectively.
• Create and review SOPs, standards, and OPLs as required.
• Maximise the use of any down time to carry out maintenance, improvement activities and training.
• Attend weekly engineering planning sessions to drive a structured agenda for engineering works.

Problem Solving

A proactive response to problem solving is essential to avoid losses and ensure general smooth running within the Make Plant.

The Focus Technician is required to:

• Identify, diagnose and resolve common challenges with equipment faults, System errors, Manual Handling Equipment issues and miscellaneous problems.
• Use Run to Standard concepts to trouble shoot more complex problems, understanding why the faults have occurred and identifying solutions to prevent future reoccurrence.
• Collate and escalate information on more complex faults to Leadership.
• Support report writing, completion of Emergency Work Orders (EWO’s), data analysis, problem solving, mechanical calculations, leadership and coaching skills.

A working knowledge of the equipment/systems and processes will be needed to effectively participate in these problem-solving tasks.

Training and Development

• Ensure all relevant skills are displayed on team skills matrix.
• Take ownership to close skills gaps identified by the skills matrix by arranging and completing training activities.
• Seek feedback from others to further development of own skills and raise standards.
• Embrace training and development of the full team, supporting other team members where appropriate.
• When appropriate and relevant to your skillset, assist in training of new team members.

Change

In this role the Focus Technician will need a proactive and collaborative attitude to change, including short notice planning changes to meet customer requests.

ALL ABOUT YOU 

Identify improvement opportunities that benefit the business and reduce costs, waste & energy

• Drive best practices in safety and quality assurance by implementing efficient processes and collaborating with colleagues.
• Participate in change initiatives, such as new installations and trials. Track successes and failures where needed to provide feedback on successes and challenges. Support team members to ensuring smooth ramp-up and procedural changes for all.
• Maintain equipment Technical Documentation, updating with all improvements or modifications made.
• Actively participate in design reviews and workshops
• Lead relevant department changes using appropriate project management tools to ensure efficient and successful project management.
• For larger projects support the project team on the new equipment or product projects and support a vertical ramp up and changes to all applicable procedures.

professional skills

Essential:

• GCSEs A-C or equivalent in Maths, English and Science
• Mechanical/Electrical - As a minimum must be at a Skilled Level in one discipline either Mechanical or Electrical and at an Instructed Level in the other discipline. Technical Qualification (formal engineering apprenticeship (dual skill) advanced diploma or equivalent + NVQ 3 in both disciplines
• Computer Literacy

• Analyse data, prioritisation and organisational skills
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Improvement Initiatives and Project work
• OSHE - Risk Assessment, 80/20 System, SOL and THA process, Accident analysis, Machinery isolation, Permit to work procedure
• WCM – 7 tools, Kaizen, PM, AM, FI
• Maintenance Techniques - Condition based monitoring, FMEA, Predictive techniques: oils analysis, thermograph, vibration, Asset management, Ensure the work area is back to original conditions after engineering activities

Desirable:

• Experience in a manufacturing or technical environment (FMCG) and ideally Making processes.
• Experience operating plant equipment including pumps, pipelines, valves, filter units, tank compresses air systems and process control equipment.
• Working knowledge and understanding of COSHH standards and Environmental standards ENV 14000. 
• High level of safety awareness, including Process Safety, COMAH awareness, Manual Handling Assessments, Task Hazard Analysis and Safety Audits. 
• Practical creativity and Manual Dexterity
• Previous SAP experience

The ideal candidate for this role displays the 4 Unilever behaviors in their work:

Focus on what counts: Priorities tasks that directly impact the safety, quality, performance and efficiency of the distribution process.  Do whatever is within their control to understand the root cause of a problem and proactively take steps to fix it.

Deliver with excellence: Strive for high standards in all aspect of work. Owning the responsibility to complete tasks in full and on time to maximise operational efficiency. Continuously look for ways to improve and suggest ways to remove non-value adding activities.

Stay 3 steps ahead: Anticipate potential issues before they arise and prepare in advance for foreseeable activities.  Be proactive in finding safer and faster ways of working to help the factory stay ahead of the competition. Be prepared for any disruptions, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations.

Care deeply: Show genuine concern for the well-being of colleagues, consumers and customers. Respectfully calling out any behaviour that could put safety, quality or efficiency at risk.  Be open to giving and receiving feedback enabling everyone to work at their best every day. 

By integrating these qualities, you not only embody the desired behaviours but also contribute to a more efficient, responsible, and supportive work environment.

travel

As per job requirements.  Examples include ad hoc training courses, visiting other SU’s to share best practice, Contractor or third party sites.

contacts

Effective communication and collaboration are essential skills for this role. You will regularly interact with multi-functional teams, including:

• Safety
• Quality
• Tank Farm and Make Plants
• Sulphonation Plant
• Operations
• Engineering
• Planning
• Management
• Contractors/visitors (Including drivers)
• Unilever SUs, hauliers, and third-party teams.

Communication responsibilities include shift handovers, shift logs, activity boards, and email correspondence. Attendance and participation in operation, End to End and planning meetings may be required.  Role tasks must be covered by coordinating with colleagues and adhering to site agreements, escalating issues as needed.

What We Offer 

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

Recruitment Fraud 

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate. 

How is Unilever tackling this? 

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down. 

What can I do? 

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat. 

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key! 

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