Extrusion Technician

Overview

Seeking a skilled and safety-focused Experienced Extrusion Technician to support the manufacture of high-quality APET and rPET sheet products supplied to our Thermoformed Packaging Division. The successful candidate will be responsible for operating, monitoring, and optimising sheet extrusion lines to ensure consistent product quality, efficient production performance, and compliance with food packaging and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

This role requires experience in polymer processing, extrusion operations, process control, and quality assurance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Set up, start up, operate, and shut down APET/rPET sheet extrusion lines safely and efficiently.

• Carry out product changeovers, material changes, and process adjustments to minimise downtime and waste.
• Monitor raw material handling systems including PET resin, regrind, and additives.
• Support recycling and reprocessing activities associated with rPET production.
• Perform routine quality inspections and record production/process data accurately.
• Identify and troubleshoot extrusion, downstream, and quality issues promptly.
• Work closely with Quality, Maintenance, and Production teams to maximise OEE and line efficiency.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in accordance with GMP and food packaging requirements.
• Follow all health, safety, environmental, and operational procedures.
• Assist with preventative maintenance activities and basic mechanical troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with food-contact packaging standards and customer requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives relating to productivity, waste reduction, and process stability.

Required Skills & Experience

• Previous experience operating plastic sheet extrusion equipment, ideally within PET, APET, or rPET processing.
• Good understanding of extrusion process controls and polymer behaviour.
• Ability to interpret production specifications and quality standards.
• Experience using measurement and inspection equipment such as micrometres, thickness gauges, visual quality systems and co-efficient of friction test equipment.
• Strong problem-solving and fault-finding skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a production team.
• Good numeracy and record-keeping skills.
• Awareness of health & safety requirements within a manufacturing environment.
• FLTLicence
• Experience within food-grade packaging manufacturing.
• Knowledge of thermoforming sheet requirements and downstream converting processes.
• Co-extrusion systems
• Vacuum systems
• Safety-conscious with strong attention to detail.
• Super-cleaning equipment, crystallisers and drying systems
• Gravimetric blending systems
• In-line trimming and winding systems

Personal Attributes

• Safety-conscious with strong attention to detail.
• Reliable and quality-focused.
• Able to work under pressure in a continuous manufacturing environment.
• Proactive approach to process improvement and waste reduction.
• Flexible and willing to support operational requirements across shifts.

This role is based in the company’s modern manufacturing facility producing APET/rPET sheet for the company’s two Thermoformed Packaging Sites.

Pay: £16.60-£16.71 per hour

Experience:

• Thermoform Extrusion: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person