Factory Hand (Bottling Plant)

Machines set the pace at this meat processing plant in Ballito; you keep up and catch the faults. If you turn up on time and finish what you start, you'll fit in quickly.

Location: Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal. Applicants who already live in the area get looked at first. The first two weeks are spent shadowing someone experienced.

• Wear hairnets, beard covers and gloves in food-safe zones
• Pack finished product into cases and stack them by batch number
• Record batch codes and counts on the hourly production sheet
• Stop the line with the emergency stop if anything jams or looks unsafe
• Feed raw material or empty packaging into the machine at the start of the line
• Change over packaging film and labels when the line switches product
• Move full bins and crates to the next station with a trolley

• You follow hygiene rules without being reminded
• Medically fit; some food plants ask for a medical check
• Grade 10 minimum, matric an advantage
• Basic reading and counting for batch sheets
• Available for rotating day and night shifts
• Neat, reliable and on time for shift start

• NQF Level 2 manufacturing learnership completed
• Experience assisting on a packaging or filling machine
• A food handler or basic HACCP awareness certificate

• Path to machine operator after six months
• Night-shift allowance on top of basic pay
• Staff shop with discounted factory products

• Mention that you can work rotating shifts right at the top. It is the first thing most factories filter on.
• Do not wear jewellery or long nails to the interview if it is on site. Food factories notice and it counts.