Meals Assembly Technician

£15.46 per hour + appropriate shift allowance + bonus + benefits

• Location: UK-Wiltshire-Trowbridge
• Contract type: Permanent (Full-Time)
• Closing date: 23rd February 2026

Overview

The Meals department are keen to promote excellent team work by employing people who have a positive (can do) attitude, who are prepared to learn a number of skills so that they are able to work in various positions within the department. By achieving this, this department is in the best position to produce quality products, in an efficient manner. We aim to not only achieve our targets but improve on them as well.

The purpose of this role is to support operations of the meals Department by ensuring the appropriate mechanical equipment is inspected, available, and in good condition for the production lines at the right time; and support the production lines in preparing and carrying out changeovers.

Who we are

apetito is the UK's leading food supplier to the health and social care sectors serving more than 1,300 care homes, health care and education settings.

Our meals are expertly crafted by our dieticians and chefs, and then frozen to lock in the goodness.

Wiltshire Farm Foods, our sister company, is the UK's largest ready meal supplier cooking and delivering over 330 different delicious frozen ready meals across the UK.

Responsibilities General Tasks

• To inspect and build all depositors, pumps and veg machines as required on the daily depositor plan, and on equipment failure
• To ensure equipment is appropriately greased and fixings setup
• To change wheels on dollies, baths, pumps, and depositors if damaged or worn
• To review the integrity of seals and remove and replace any that are worn, and control stock of seals
• To carry out PAT, signal, and function tests on equipment to check it works correctly before going to the lines
• To liaise with the wash up operator, and assign the order of priority for all equipment for washing if required
• To support line changeovers by removing and setting up depositors / pumps and cleaning / setting up veg machines
• To prepare the Pro-sealer when required for rework or line work
• To preheat and change tools on Line 7
• To support relieving breaks in the department

Quality

• Complete daily paperwork; QAF153 meals depositor cleaning and inspection check sheet, and QAF155 meals turbo pump cleaning and inspection check sheet
• Report any damaged or worn equipment to the department supervisor
• Report any uncleaned depositors and return to washup

Hygiene

• Follow correct personal hygiene procedures (e.g. changing procedure, hand washing procedures)
• Operate to a clean (and tidy) as you go policy
• Undertake 'Basic Food Hygiene' training: a pass level must be obtained

Health & Safety

• Work in a safe manner at all times
• Follow safe working practices
• Assist if required with risk assessments
• Report any accidents or dangerous occurrences

Other

• Help the business be environmentally friendly:
• by ensuring that waste is segregated appropriately so it can be sent to the correct point of disposal/recycling
• Have a can do attitude; will have try to learn other tasks in the department if required
• Promote good team work - help others. "It's not my job" does not promote good team work
• Have a desire to help the team meet the department targets
• Undertake any training made available/organised

About you Essential

• Experience of working to set standards
• Good level of English and Maths

Desirable

• Production/factory experience
• Experience within food manufacturing environment
• Level 2 Food Hygiene or prepared to study for the qualification

Personal Qualities

• Someone who is methodical
• Someone who is mechanically minded and thorough
• Has the ability to adapt to change in circumstances
• Team Player who is willing to undergo mechanical training in order to fulfill this role
• Have a positive attitude
• High attention to detail and a strong quality focus
• Have a desire to help the team meet the department targets
• Willingness to undertake any training made available/organised

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the skilled worker route as it does not meet the minimum requirements set out under the UK Immigration Rules.

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary - accredited Living Wage employer
• 25 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days holiday per year
• Discretionary annual bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - employer matched contributions up to 4%
• Life assurance scheme worth at least 1x annual salary
• Subsidised canteen
• Free parking
• Free turkey or voucher at Christmas
• apetito perks scheme including salary sacrifice options and retail discounts

Our Values

As a family-owned business, we take great pride in being a company that makes a real difference and is dedicated to creating outstanding meals to be proud of.

We develop a range of products designed to enhance health and well-being for all our customers.

We are driven by a passion for service and dedicated to feeding some of the UK's most vulnerable people.

We proudly support British food and farming, focusing on using the best ethical and sustainable produce in alignment with our goal to reach Net Zero by 2040.

Our ethical standards are recognised by the ETI and we are an accredited Living Wage employer. Learn more about apetito's commitment to a more sustainable future.

We embrace inclusion, empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Our commitment to making a real difference extends to customers, communities, and staff and we're on a mission to build an inclusive workplace where everyone reaches their full potential.