Block-Making Operator (Brick & Paving) UK (Sponsorship Available)

POST: Production Technician (Sponsorship Available)

LOCATION: Toome, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland (1 vacancy)

Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland (1 vacancy)

DEPARTMENT: Production

REPORTS TO: Production Supervisor

HOURS OF WORK: 45 hours per week Monday – Friday

WHY AG?

At AG, we're building more than products - we're building people. We trust our team with real autonomy, support their growth, and champion work-life balance because we know their best work comes from being their best selves. Respect, fairness and a commitment to well-being is how we operate. We genuinely care about each other, about our customers, and about making a positive impact in the communities we're part of. We're proud of our heritage - generations of knowledge, know-how, and human energy combined. And we're genuinely excited about building the future together. Our people's work has purpose. Their potential is valued. We are AG.

ROLE OVERVIEW

To support the efficient, safe and high‑quality operation of AG’s brick and paving production lines, with a particular focus on the Masa GmbH block‑making plants. The role ensures production processes run to standard, engineering instructions are followed, quality specifications are met, and all activities contribute to delivering OTIF (On Time In Full) production performance across the site.

KEY RESONSIBILITIES

The following list constitutes the key tasks and duties of your post upon which your job performance will be assessed. Tasks are not in any order; therefore, the sequence which they appear should not be interpreted as indicating priority or relative importance.

· Assist Production and Maintenance teams in the safe and efficient operation of Masa block‑making machines, mixers, face mix systems, curing racks, finger car systems and packaging lines.

· Set, adjust and monitor Masa process parameters including mix design settings, vibration force, tamper head alignment, and curing cycles.

· Support approved mechanical or process modifications to the Masa production line to improve output, quality or reliability.

· Monitor daily production KPIs such as OEE, cycle times, machine uptime, press utilisation and scrap rates.

· Identify bottlenecks around concrete feed, curing, product take‑off, or cubing/packaging, and raise improvement suggestions.

· Support changeovers, mould swaps and setup adjustments to enable efficient product scheduling.

· Work closely with the batching plant operator to maintain consistent supply of wet cast and dry cast concrete mixes to the Masa line.

· Liaise with the Materials and Logistics teams to ensure steady availability of aggregates, pigments, cement, admixtures, moulds and wear parts.

· Conduct in-process and final quality checks following AG’s product specifications and ISO procedures, including:

o product dimensions & tolerances

o colour consistency

o density, strength and absorption tests

o visual inspections for chips, cracks or surface defects

· Capture, report and help investigate any quality non‑conformances.

· Operate strictly within AG’s site safety procedures, risk assessments and permit‑to‑work systems.

· Escalate hazards around high‑pressure systems, conveyors, curing environments, moving machinery or forklift operations.

· Actively contribute to safety improvements and housekeeping standards.

· Work alongside Maintenance teams to prepare the Masa line for planned and reactive maintenance.

· Assist with basic fault‑finding, lubrication, cleaning routines and machine resets following downtime events.

· Help develop, update and train others on SOPs specific to AG’s Masa equipment, including:

o mould change procedures

o startup/shutdown sequences

o face‑mix handling

o cube strapping and palletising

o quality inspection checkpoints

· Record accurate production data in AG’s systems, including yields, scrap, downtime codes, shift reports and mould performance.

· Recommend improvements based on trends in cycle times, quality issues or repetitive stoppages.

· Support Production Supervisors with product sequencing, mould planning and prioritising orders to meet daily/weekly production schedules.

· Any other duties as required by management that are within your capability.

The above list is not exhaustive but provides a broad range of key duties and responsibilities of the post.

REQUIREMENTS

As well as living our values of sustainability, wellbeing, integrity, customer care and innovation, we require you to have:

· Experience operating Masa GmbH block‑making equipment or similar, e.g., HESS block-making equipment.

· Ability to read engineering drawings, machine diagrams and process specifications.

· Hands‑on experience with quality inspection procedures and documentation.

· Familiarity with production control tools such as SOPs, quality checks, basic OEE and root‑cause problem solving.

· Strong awareness of Health & Safety standards and safe working around heavy machinery.

· Comfortable with digital production records (Excel, Fact bird – a manufacturing intelligence platform, or similar).

· Safety‑first mindset with strong attention to detail.

· Clear communicator across shifts and functions.

· Proactive, problem‑solving approach with a continuous improvement attitude.

· Reliable, team‑orientated and able to work under pressure during peak production periods.

Note: Applicants should be aware that the visa application process requires passing an IELTS English language test.

NICE TO HAVE

• Previous exposure to continuous improvement tools (5S, Kaizen, basic Lean).
• A formal qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or Mechanical Maintenance.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Excellent salary
• 31 paid holidays
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employer Pension Contributions (optional)
• Half Day Birthday Leave
• Personal Protective Equipment

Note: Financial support for visa and UK Immigration Health Surcharge costs may be available.

The roles are based in Northern Ireland within the UK. You must be willing to relocate once your visa has been granted.

Job Type: Full-time

Application Question(s):

• You must have experience operating Masa GmbH bloc-making equipment or similar, e.g., HESS block-making equipment. Do you have this? Do not apply unless you have this experience.