Assistant Technical Machine Operator

Unga Holding is a market leader in the manufacturing & provision of superior human nutrition, animal nutrition and animal health products and services within Eastern Africa.Unga family brands are milled using superior quality grains, selected to achieve high customer satisfaction levels at the same time ensuring that the nutritional value is retained ...
Assistant Technical Machine Operator


Role Purpose:

Reporting to Fawema Operator, the purpose of the job holder is to ensure seamless packaging line execution by maintaining high standards of product quality, safety, and GMP compliance, accurately recording operational data, and achieving daily volume targets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Packing Line Execution

Achieve set production targets for the assigned line, consistently attaining a minimum of 85% of planned production volume.
Ensure effective shift continuity by conducting a physical line handover and documentation.
Maintain shift discipline by strictly commencing packing operations following the stipulated 30-minute break period.

Quality Control & Verification

Conduct and accurately record check-weight verifications at 10-minute intervals before and throughout the packing process to ensure strict compliance with product weight specifications.
Verify product identification and date coding at 30-minute intervals, ensuring correct stamped dates, proper baler usage, and adherence to approved product changeover procedures.
Inspect packed product quality continuously, ensuring uniform packet folding/sealing and complete, consistent glue application across packet folds.

Housekeeping

Maintain strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and housekeeping standards across the assigned line following every product changeover and at shift close.
Account for all packaging materials (balers, packets, tickets, consumables) through accurate shift-wise counting, reconciliation, and recording.
Ensure proper Sanitation of equipment through the deep cleaning process
Conduct equipment and process  inspection for traces of infestation
Ensure AM and PM support in regard to equipment maintenance-Improve access to hidden areas

Machine Safety & Autonomous Maintenance

Accurately document all production downtime, line stoppages, durations, and underlying reasons during the shift.
Perform basic Autonomous Maintenance (AM) tasks, including routine cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and defect identification on packing machinery.
Ensure machine safety mechanisms (doors, guards, safety switches) are strictly operational and never bypassed.
Promptly escalate machine faults, maintenance needs, or safety risks to designated operators or supervisors.

Continual Improvement Initiatives

Improve operational efficiencies through PaTaMu
Identify process challenges & use PDCA to address bottlenecks
Participate in planned trainings to enhance competences
Participate in the Monthly HK Performance Reviews with the supervisor
Support activities around Unga’s culture code – FIRST.
Participate in organizing site events and initiatives as guided.

Leadership & Accountability

Participate in the F2F discussion through accountability meetings
Participate in the coaching and mentoring process for palletizers and tapers
Ensure effective communication
Ensure Process ownership
Ensure issues brought forward are resolved and escalated on time

Job Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
Minimum three (1) years of work experience in FMCG.
Experience in Machine Operations and Maintenance
Experience in grain processing industry
Good understanding of Autonomous Maintenance (AM)
Trouble shooting skills
Computer proficiency in MS Office