Machine Minder

Founded in 2003 Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation.

Wasabi now has 42 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York and in 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento the grocery channel, launching exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business broadened its reach to Tesco in September 2022, followed by exciting launches in Co-op and Morrisons in 2024. Wasabi grocery has seen phenomenal growth and is now a £62m RSV brand. Wasabi proudly stands as the No. 2 chilled ready-meal brand in the market, consistently attracting new customers to the category through an innovative East Asian range.

Wasabi's menu is celebrated for its unique character, exceptional freshness, and bold flavours. Our diverse range is designed to delight a wide audience, delivering both comfort and excitement with every bite.

We have an ambitious 5-year growth strategy, focusing on new restaurants, franchise partnerships, and international expansion.

As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Machine Minderto join our Central Production Unit based in Park Royal.

The Role: To take operational ownership of designated packaging equipment within a high-risk food manufacturing environment, ensuring machinery is set up, operated , monitored and maintained to achieve safety, quality, service and cost targets.

The Machine Minder acts as the first point of contact for equipment performance, carrying out machine set-up, product changeovers, autonomous maintenance, basic fault finding and operational adjustments. Working closely with Engineering, Quality and Production teams, the role is responsible for maximising equipment uptime, minimising waste and ensuring products are packed safely and to specification.

Key Responsibilities: Founded in 2003 Wasabi's vision is to lovingly create and serve delicious Asian food for a busy nation.

Wasabi now has 42 thriving restaurants across London and major UK cities and 4 in New York and in 2019, we introduced Wasabi Home Bento the grocery channel, launching exclusively in Sainsbury's. Building on that success, the grocery business broadened its reach to Tesco in September 2022, followed by exciting launches in Co-op and Morrisons in 2024. Wasabi grocery has seen phenomenal growth and is now a £62m RSV brand. Wasabi proudly stands as the No. 2 chilled ready-meal brand in the market, consistently attracting new customers to the category through an innovative East Asian range.

Wasabi's menu is celebrated for its unique character, exceptional freshness, and bold flavours. Our diverse range is designed to delight a wide audience, delivering both comfort and excitement with every bite.

We have an ambitious 5-year growth strategy, focusing on new restaurants, franchise partnerships, and international expansion.

As we prepare for our next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for a Machine Minderto join our Central Production Unit based in Park Royal.

The Role: To take operational ownership of designated packaging equipment within a high-risk food manufacturing environment, ensuring machinery is set up, operated , monitored and maintained to achieve safety, quality, service and cost targets.

The Machine Minder acts as the first point of contact for equipment performance, carrying out machine set-up, product changeovers, autonomous maintenance, basic fault finding and operational adjustments. Working closely with Engineering, Quality and Production teams, the role is responsible for maximising equipment uptime, minimising waste and ensuring products are packed safely and to specification.

Key Responsibilities: Production Line Operation

• Operate and monitor of conveyor systems and associated packaging equipment to achieve production targets, quality standards and customer requirements.

• Operate and oversee vacuum flow-wrap and sealing equipment to ensure packaging integrity.

• Ensure production equipment is running safely, efficiently and at optimum performance levels.

• Monitor machine performance and take corrective action where required to minimise downtime.

• Respond promptly to machine stoppages and production issues.

• Escalate equipment faults outside of trained competency levels to Engineering.

• Support delivery of daily production plans and communicate risks to achievement.

Equipment Set-Up & Changeovers

• Perform equipment set-up and product changeovers in line with production schedules.

• Select, install and verify appropriate tooling heads, base sets and machine settings for each production run.

• Configure and verify product recipes to ensure compliance with product specifications.

• Complete start-up, first-off and verification checks following changeovers.

• Ensure changeovers are completed safely, efficiently and within agreed target times.

Equipment Ownership & Autonomous Maintenance

• Take ownership for the day-to-day performance of designated equipment.

• Complete autonomous maintenance activities including inspection, cleaning, lubrication and basic adjustments.

• Carry out routine machine care checks to maintain equipment condition and performance.

• Identify equipment deterioration and expedite concerns appropriately.

• Support Engineering during planned maintenance activities and continuous improvement projects.

• Provide detailed information on faults, downtime and equipment performance to support root cause analysis.

Engineering Collaboration & Fault Finding

• Act as the first-line responder to operational equipment issues.

• Diagnose and resolve basic machine faults within trained competency levels.

• Work closely with Engineering to minimise downtime and improve reliability.

• Escalate recurring faults and support investigation into root causes.

• Assist with machine trials, modifications and process improvements where required.

Metal Detection & Product Safety

• Operate and verify the effectiveness of metal detection and check weighing equipment in line with company procedures and CCP requirements.

• Immediately escalate any food safety concerns or CCP failures.

Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Accurately record and report production performance data.

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and waste reduction.

• Participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support achievement of departmental KPIs and operational objectives.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Operate all machinery in a safe manner and in accordance with company procedures.

• Complete pre-start safety checks and ensure machine guarding is fitted and functioning correctly.

• Report hazards, near misses, unsafe conditions and equipment defects immediately.

• Maintain excellent standards of housekeeping and workplace organisation.

• Actively contribute to a positive safety culture and challenge unsafe behaviours.

Quality & Food Safety

• Adhere to all HACCP, GMP, food safety and site procedures.

Team Working

• No direct reports.

• Support the onboarding and training of colleagues operating within the area.

• Work collaboratively with Production, Engineering, Technical and Warehouse teams.

• Support problem-solving activities and operational decision making.

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

• Minimise waste, reduce environmental impact and promote efficient use of materials, energy and resources.

Our Requirements

• Previous experience operating semi-automated machinery within a food manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of machine set-up, changeovers and machine operation.

• Ability to diagnose and resolve minor machine faults.

• Working knowledge of food safety, GMP and HACCP requirements.

• Strong attention to detail and record-keeping skills.

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Understanding of production performance measures and efficiency targets.

In return we provide:

• A great working environment

• Pension scheme

• Target Bonus

• Refer A Friend Scheme

• Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)

• 50% discount in our Branches

• Employee Assistant Programme

• (a service providing health and wellbeing support)

• Long Service Awards

• Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings

• Life Assurance

• Electric Vehicle Scheme through Octopus

• Cycle To Work

• Free on-site parking

• A variety of discounts (shopping, food & drink . click apply for full job details