Trainee Operator jobs

Used to hitting targets, keeping quality tight, and owning your machine? You’ll fit here.
This role is for operators who want more responsibility, more skill, and a clear route to higher pay.

The Role

If you’ve worked in manufacturing, you’ll know the difference between just running a machine and actually owning it.

We’re looking for experienced operators who want to take the next step, develop deeper technical skills, and build towards becoming a fully skilled Production Machine Technician, with a clear route to Master Technician.

You’ll start by learning our machines and processes properly, then take full responsibility for performance, quality, and output. This is a role where standards matter and where good operators stand out quickly.

Pay & Progression

• Starting salary: £29,000
• Progression to £34,000 as you develop into Technician and Master Technician level
• Clear, structured progression based on skill, not time served

Shift Pattern

We're looking for 4 operators to go onto shifts and have a weekly rotating shift pattern:

• Weekly rotating shifts Monday to Friday:

06:00 – 14:00
14:00 – 22:00

What You’ll Be Doing

• Setting and running production machinery to meet output and quality targets
• Working towards and maintaining 75%+ productivity on your machine
• Identifying faults, making adjustments, and reducing downtime and waste
• Taking ownership of quality from your machine
• Supporting other machines and operators across the department
• Completing production and quality documentation accurately
• Working safely and following all site procedures

As you progress, you’ll also:

• Train and support less experienced team members
• Run multiple machines confidently
• Play a key role in improving performance and efficiency

What We’re Looking For

This role suits someone who already understands production environments and wants more responsibility.

Essential:

• Experience operating machinery in a manufacturing environment
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards
• Good problem-solving skills and a practical mindset
• Reliable, consistent, and able to work at pace
• Comfortable working shifts

Desirable:

• Experience in box manufacturing / packaging
• Background in CNC, printing, or similar machinery
• Experience setting machines rather than just operating

What Good Looks Like

• Consistently achieving 75%+ productivity
• Producing high-quality output with minimal issues
• Taking ownership of your machine and performance
• Supporting the wider team and stepping in where needed

Why Join Us?

• A genuine opportunity to build a skilled trade, not just run a machine
• Clear progression with real pay increases as your skills grow
• A team environment where people are expected to step up and take ownership

If you’re used to working in production and want a role where you can develop, be relied on, and progress, this is the next step.

The Company: Reedbut Group Limited

The Reedbut Group designs and manufactures corrugated packaging. The business has three sites; Milton Keynes the head office, Andover and Strood, and is one of the leading independent sheet plants in the UK. The company has an annual turnover of more than £20 million and employs 90 people.

The business operates in the rapidly growing corrugated packaging market and the materials the company work with have strong green credentials and are playing a leading role in the war against single use plastic.

Location: Reedbut Group Ltd – 2 Bransworth Avenue, Milton Keynes, MK10 0DD

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: £29,000.00-£34,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Profit sharing

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Milton Keynes MK10: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• Machine operation: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person