Preparation Plant Operator - Free State Oil, Villiers

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company, providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the farm-foods for consumers. Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years.

Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now also operate in all areas of the food supply chain: processing, logistics, and national and global market channels.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

We live by five important values:

We acknowledge that we are blessed

We do not settle for mediocre

We do what is right, even if it scares us

We consider our words and actions

No-one can do this alone

Free State Oil (Pty) Ltd is a subsidiary of VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd, a dynamic role player in the edible oil industry, situated in Villiers in the Eastern Free State. We offer you the opportunity to establish yourself within a professional, corporate environment in the countryside.

We are seeking a dedicated and safety-conscious Preparation Plant Operator to oversee and operate all aspects of the preparation plant process. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring optimal plant performance, maintaining quality standards, and contributing to the achievement of daily production targets.

• Grade 12 / NQF4 qualification.
• Relevant Degree or Diploma in Production, Engineering, Process Operations, or a related field will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Previous experience in a preparation, processing, crushing, or manufacturing plant environment will be advantageous.
• Ability to add continuous value to the function and operation of the plant.

• Operate and monitor all preparation plant processes and equipment.
• Ensure daily production targets are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Execute production schedules accurately to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.
• Start up, operate, and shut down plant machinery according to standard operating procedures and manufacturer specifications.
• Monitor process parameters and make adjustments to maintain optimal performance and product quality.
• Conduct routine inspections and identify operational issues or potential risks.
• Perform basic maintenance, troubleshooting, and clearing of blockages to reduce production interruptions.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards within the preparation plant area.
• Ensure strict compliance with quality control standards, food safety requirements, and relevant legislation.
• Adhere to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures at all times.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, and production teams to ensure smooth operations and product quality.
• Complete all operational records, checklists, and reports accurately.

• Strong service orientation.
• Accurate, thorough, and detail-oriented.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet production deadlines.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Commitment to safety and quality standards.

• The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.
• Things to take note of when applying through our Career Portal.
• Use Google Chrome when accessing the portal
• Clear copy of your CV in either PDF or Word
• The CV should not have handwriting on the document
• NB! Only Submit your CV on the Upload CV section of the application form and not a PDF that includes other documents such as , Driver’s License and other documents. The application form will make provision for the candidate to upload supporting documents.
• When uploading profile picture, make sure the minimum size uploaded is 300 x 300px