Apprentice Production Operative

CAFEA UK LIMITED

BEDS (LU5 4LT)

Closes in 15 days (Friday 17 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 2 July 2026

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Summary

As an Apprentice Production Operative, you will develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to work effectively within a food production environment. You will support the Production Team in delivering high-quality coffee products while completing a structured training programme and gaining hands-on experience.

Wage

£14,560 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

During your apprenticeship, you will be supported to:

  • Understand production processes from raw materials to finished goods
  • Operate production and packing machinery safely and efficiently
    Follow food safety, quality and hygiene standards (e.g. GMP, BRC)
  • Work as part of a team to meet production targets
  • Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities
  • Develop problem-solving and communication skills

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Learning & Development:

  • Actively participate in your apprenticeship training programme
  • Complete all required coursework, assessments and on-the-job training
  • Work with your mentor/supervisor to develop your skills
  • Take ownership of your learning and development

Production Support:

  • Assist in the safe operation of production and packing lines
  • Follow standard operating procedures and work instructions
  • Support set-up, changeovers and basic machine checks
  • Help ensure production runs efficiently and to schedule 

Quality & Food Safety:

  • Follow all food safety and quality standards at all times
  • Maintain excellent hygiene and GMP standards
  • Report any quality or safety concerns immediately
  • Support audits and inspections where required 

Health & Safety:

  • Work safely at all times in line with company policies
  • Use equipment and PPE correctly
  • Report hazards, near misses or incidents
  • Participate in safety training and briefings 

Team Working:

  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across Production, Quality and Engineering
  • Communicate clearly with team members and supervisors
  • Show a positive attitude and willingness to learn

CAFEA UK VALUES:

  • Vision: To be the most passionate coffee company, helping to build a better tomorrow
  • Mission: Using our expertise, innovation and insight to delight our customers, consumers and colleagues
  • Values: We do the right thing. We act with Passion, Integrity, Innovation and Care
  • You will be expected to demonstrate these values in your daily work and development

SUSTAINABILITY:

The post holder is expected to support Cafea UK’s sustainability commitments, including ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility, carbon reduction, and protection of human rights across our supply chain.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

The post holder is expected to follow and support health and safety practices within their working area. They must comply with all relevant Health and Safety policies, procedures and legislation, and report any hazards, near misses or incidents in line with company processes.

FOOD SAFETY, QUALITY AND CULTURE:

The postholder is responsible for ensuring that the production of goods, adheres to product safety, legality, authenticity, integrity and quality standards.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

Cafea UK is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure fair and equitable treatment throughout our recruitment process.

VARIATION TO DUTIES:

This job description outlines the main duties of the role. It is not an exhaustive list and may be reviewed and amended to reflect business needs.

Where you'll work

UNIT B CHILTERN PARK IND EST
BOSCOMBE ROAD
DUNSTABLE
BEDS
LU5 4LT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BARNET & SOUTHGATE COLLEGE

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Work safely at all times, complying with health and safety legislation, regulations, and other relevant guidelines. Identifying risks within their processes and support/carry out countermeasure activities to improve safe working. Manage tooling, equipment and materials daily in-line with supplier standards e.g. COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
  • Comply with environmental procedures and systems and contribute to the achievement of specific standards e.g. ISO 14001 or other relevant environmental standards and use the 4R’s (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover) where possible
  • Demonstrate their ability to carry out their role effectively, efficiently and flexibly maintaining lean manufacturing principles to meet customer’s demands e.g. JIT
  • Demonstrate their skill and knowledge following SOPs and building their versatility across a number of processes and process areas. Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials to carry out the manufacturing operation
  • Demonstrate appropriate process documentation control. Accurately completing check sheets, monitoring process and equipment data efficiently and legibly using the correct terminology required to meet the quality standard e.g. ISO 9002
  • Demonstrate their ability to identify and resolve problems within the lean manufacturing environment using effective problem solving tools and techniques. Manage problems that may occur during the manufacturing process within the limits of their responsibility and escalate as appropriate
  • Generate ideas and contribute to process improvement activities individually or as part of a team through fact finding and analysis to improve the safety, environment, quality, cost or production process. Identifying and eliminating the 7 wastes (defects, over production, transportation, waiting, inventory, motion and processing)
  • Demonstrate communication skills which include oral, written, electronic (PC), information boards or visual displays to effectively share information
  • Maintains and monitors the work site efficiently and effectively at all times using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5’s) within the lean manufacturing environment
  • Check components for damage and that they are in a usable condition
  • Correctly position, align and secure the components
  • Secure the components in position using the specified fastening device/method
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions/Standard operating procedures production/assembly specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the production/assembly activity
  • Produce components which comply with the specification and quality requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on component parts and completed assemblies and deal with quality concerns and defects in line with their responsibility
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, inspection/quality procedures and product specifications in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the inspection/quality assurance activity
  • Collect production samples at the required frequency in accordance with inspection specification and operating procedures
  • Carryout inspection and testing activities using the specified methods and equipment
  • Prepare, Handle, transfer and store samples safely and correctly in accordance with quality control procedures
  • Accurately interpret the data/results gained from the inspection and testing procedures being used
  • Record and report inspection findings to relevant person
  • Safely move materials to the correct location using the relevant equipment
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, specification details and specific transfer/handling procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the logistic/material handling activity
  • Move materials using the appropriate procedures, ensuring the materials are correct, safely loaded and secure.
  • Check materials selected to be moved are in line with job requirements
  • Carryout quality checks on materials that are to be moved and deal with quality concerns and damage in line with their responsibility
  • Return equipment to its correct location on completion of the activities and leave it in a safe and usable condition
  • Perform one processing/finishing operation method e.g. hand processing, manually operated machine processing, fully automated machine processing, combined processing
  • Obtain and follow the correct Job instructions, processing/finishing procedures and equipment operating procedures in accordance with time constraints and the roles and responsibilities identified for the processing/finishing activity
  • Perform the processing/finishing operation according to instructions and safe operating procedures
  • Monitor and control the processing/finishing operation
  • Produce processed/finished products which comply with processing specification

Training schedule

Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2.

On site delivery for first 3 months at SG6 1NW. The remainder of the programme will be hybrid of online and face to face at Cafea UK.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade C or 4)
  • Maths (grade C or 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Positive Attitude
  • Reliable
  • Literacy skills

About this employer

As a leading producer of instant coffee, we look with pride on the over 100 year history of the Cafea family business. Every single one of our products is packed with tradition, experience, care and conscience. Today Cafea UK offers a full range of coffee and chocolate products in a huge range of varieties and pack formats.


Our people are the heart of our business. We are committed to creating a diverse, welcoming culture within a safe working environment. At the core of our business strategy is our commitment to support our employees to be the best that they can be.

From our Bedfordshire factory, every day we work together to deliver the best coffee. It starts with the experts who source the best beans from the best farmers. Then to our dedicated crew who produce the perfect coffee to match your private label requirements.

https://www.cafeauk.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Enhanced annual leave entitlement, increasing with length of service. Company pension scheme (eligibility criteria apply). Access to an Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking. Opportunities for professional development and training.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

On the successful completion of your apprenticeship, we would look to offer full-time employment. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BARNET & SOUTHGATE COLLEGE

Shaun Murphy

apprentice@barnetsouthgate.ac.uk

02037644333

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000040484.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Friday 17 July 2026 at 11:59pm)