Production and Logistical Operative

About us

School Yard Kitchen is a community-first business looking for passionate, enthusiastic people to join our journey. If you care about top-tier quality and want to help us make a positive impact in the world, we want you. We’re looking for someone with sharp attention to detail and the dedication to ensure every single product leaves our kitchen perfectly and on time

As Production and Logistical Operative, you will be the heart of our brand and ensure our customers receive the best quality product every time. You will work alongside the team to produce high quality, large volumes of products for our customers across the UK and beyond.

Supports the flow of daily chocolate production by assisting where needed. This includes completing cleaning and maintenance tasks, keeping inventory organised, and supporting production and packing lines.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate:

• An understanding of and enthusiasm for our social enterprise ethos and community-focused mission
• Has a continuous attitude of learning;
• Has a sharp eye for detail and is content with repetitive tasks in a production kitchen;
• Works efficiently under pressure in an organised way;
• Follows directions and recipes precisely;
• Works to high standards and follows all food safety requirements;
• Communicates clearly with team members and external staff;
• Contribute to ideas and improvements to day-to-day operations
• Can support others and work independently with responsibility;
• Follows Health & Safety policies and company guidelines.

Essential Criteria:

• Level 3 Food Hygiene (Catering or Manufacturing)
• Can be achieved prior to starting
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions reliably
• Experience in food production or manufacturing environment
• Strong communication skills across all levels
• Ability to improve efficiency and performance of processes
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadline
• Ability to work own your own and of own initiative
• Adaptable to a fast-changing environment
• Work to SALSA guidelines / standards

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of HACCP processes and documentation
• Experience in a professional kitchen
• Experience in food manufacturing and chocolate production
• Management skills to deputise Operations Manager
• Full UK driving licence *Personal qualities are more important than experience as full training will be given.
• Kitchen Responsibilities
• Ensure safe food preparation, correct storage, and accurate labelling
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and complete routine cleaning tasks
• Follow all food hygiene and safety standards
• Use company systems and processes correctly
• Record all required checks and information
• Maintain stock levels of ingredients, packaging and consumables (ordering)
• Check goods in and store appropriately
• Dispatch of goods out i.e. building pallets, courier’s bookings and other
• Carry out production tasks as directed by the Operations Manager
• Monitor product quality and follow quality control procedures
• Support production improvements and projects when required
• Participating relationships in face-to-face sales with customers (B2C) and business to business (B2B)

Chocolate Manufacturing

• Maintain chocolate manufacturing standards
• Carry out production processes such as sorting, roasting, winnowing, grinding, refining, and loading/unloading as directed
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety across the facility
• Communicate key production activities effectively with the team
• Contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of all equipment and machinery on site.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: Working in a production unit is a physically demanding job and all team members should be able to move quickly, lift heavy boxes and equipment (22.6 kg), work on their feet all day, operate machinery (and sometimes fix it), and be educated on how to perform their duties without hurting themselves. In addition, supplies are a different floor levels that requires the ability to occasionally traverse stairs. While the environment is friendly, there is an expectation that one has the ability to focus and complete tasks on their own, as well as part of a team.

Contract type: 3 Months

Hours: Full Time

Shift pattern: 5 days out of 7 incl. weekends

Hours per week: 35

Please note: We may begin interviewing candidates before the application closing date. If we receive a high volume of suitable applications, interviews and the selection process may commence sooner than anticipated. We therefore encourage interested applicants to submit their applications as early as possible.