Baler Operative Night Shift

Location: Leeds ICD

Baler Operative
At Panda, we know that our operations teams play a vital role in keeping materials moving safely, efficiently and responsibly.

We are looking for a dedicated Baler Operative to join our team on a night shift. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on work, understands the importance of safety, and wants to build their skills within a busy recycling and waste management environment.

As a Baler Operative, you will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of channel press balers, helping to compress recyclable materials to the required specification. You will also support basic maintenance, cleaning and quality checks to ensure the equipment and finished bales meet site standards.

The Role
As a Baler Operative, you will help keep the baling process running smoothly while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and housekeeping.
You will be responsible for:
Operating and monitoring baler equipment to produce compact, high-quality bales
Carrying out routine cleaning and basic maintenance of machinery
Reporting equipment issues, defects or concerns promptly
Maintaining accurate operational and maintenance records
Ensuring bales meet company and quality standards
Following all site Health & Safety procedures at all times
Reporting any incidents, hazards or concerns in line with site procedures
Supporting a clean, safe and efficient working environment

About You
We are looking for someone who is reliable, proactive and comfortable working in a practical, hands-on environment.
You will ideally have:
Experience operating channel press balers or similar machinery, although training may be provided
A good understanding of Health, Safety and Environmental compliance
English literacy at Level 1 or equivalent
Good communication skills and the ability to work well as part of a team
A reliable, punctual and self-motivated approach
A willingness to learn, develop and upskill
Confidence working in a busy operational environment
The ability to work at height where required

It would also be beneficial if you have:

Engineering knowledge or basic mechanical understanding
Experience from agriculture, recycling, manufacturing or another hands-on environment
Mobile plant licences, such as forklift, telehandler or loading shovel

Why Join Panda?
This Baler Operative role is a great opportunity to join a growing business and play an important part in supporting recycling operations. You will be part of a team that values safe working, operational efficiency and doing the job right.
We offer competitive rates based on experience for the right candidate.

We are Panda. We value waste.
We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.

Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)