Production Assistant

We are looking for a reliable and detail-focused Production Operator to join our busy surface coatings facility in Milton Keynes. This is an excellent opportunity to join a global manufacturing business, with the potential for a permanent position after 12 weeks. This role operates on a rotating shift pattern, and candidates must be willing to work both shifts

• Competitive rates of pay
• Shift allowance after 12 weeks
• Enhanced Pension contributions
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Life assurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to 24 hour online GP
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Fresh fruit on site
• Opportunity to secure a permanent position after a successful 12-week temporary period.

• Emptying the wash lines, ensuring that all customer parts are appropriately matched with their respective route cards, and that the parts are correctly stored ready for batching.
• Ensuring that any damage spotted, to tools is immediately communicated to supervisors/managers.
• Storing of parts and documentation in a safe and secure manner.
• Correctly deciphering route cards, Part forms, specifications and engineering drawings ensuring: coating type, tool type, material, line quantities, correct delivery dates, are used to correctly create production batches to the production plan and to Oerlikon Balzers Standards for coating operations. Notification & documentation of any discrepancies or damage to supervision and customer services.
• Placing tools and parts onto coating fixtures, adhering to process documentation, Oerlikon & Customer requirements; ensuring safe handling methods with no scope for tool damage.
• Loading batches safely, and operation of all coating equipment and vacuum chambers as deemed appropriate by supervision and to the defined Oerlikon standards
• Receive, unpack and inspect customer parts.
• Prepare components for the surface coating process.
• Follow all health, safety and quality procedures.
• Keep work areas clean, organised and safe.
• Carry out basic equipment checks and report any faults.
• Work with colleagues to ensure customer delivery deadlines are met.
• Support continuous improvement and housekeeping activities (5S).
• Communicate any production, quality or safety concerns to your supervisor.

• Experience of working in a busy production environment
• Strong eye for detail/accuracy
• Excellent communication skills
• Good IT/Computer skills
• Experience of following quality standards/carrying out quality checks would be advantageous.
• Ability to read engineering drawings is desirable but not necessary
• Ability to follow Health and safety standards
• Willing and able to work shifts

Can you identify with this position and are you looking for a new challenge? Then we are eager to meet you!

Pamela Dodd

Oerlikon is a global leader in surface technologies and advanced materials. With a unique portfolio spanning surface engineering, high-performance materials, coating equipment and components, we make products better by enhancing performance, efficiency and sustainability. Oerlikon serves a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, medical, luxury, semiconductors and tooling. Head-quartered in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, Oerlikon operates in 38 countries with around 10,000 employees, achieving sales of CHF 1.6 billion in 2025.

We offer a wide variety of job profiles in a dynamic, supportive environment where people are empowered to grow and reach their full potential — guided by our core values of integrity, team spirit, excellence and innovation.

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