Mechanical reliability sought
PETS need real food and Real Pet Food needs plenty of highly trained technicians to ensure the processing plant keeps rolling at optimum efficiency, but in a market where there seem to be more jobs than applicants, finding the right people for the job can be challenging.
Real Pet Food site operations manager Neville Howarth said the company is keen to find a Mechanical Reliability Specialist to help with its recent expansion and upgrades.
“At the site here we’re invested about $10 million in the last 12 months and there’s been a fair degree of automation installed as part of that, so what we’re looking for is someone with engineering experience to support that automation as well as improving our existing processes and machinery,” Mr Howarth told Dubbo Photo News.
“For this role there’s always something different that’ll be going on. Whether you’re going to be looking at energy consumption, productivity improvement, or software in the automation side of things, there’s always going to be something different in the mechanical sphere – so it’s an interesting job.
“It’s very difficult to find people for specialist roles at the moment out in the regions,” he said.
While the company is looking for an applicant with experience, management is also keen to talk to anyone who has the skills and is looking to get into the sector.
“We’re open to different skillsets, anyone with a mechanical or an electrical background, anyone who has a maintenance background as well – if someone is fresh out of university with their degree, we’re more than happy to look at those kind of candidates,” Mr Howarth said, commenting that some locals who may be a good fit may not even know the company exists.
“We’re just a business on the outskirts of town, we’re quiet achievers with what we do and there’s not a lot of people familiar with us or what we do, or our brand. It’s only a young business, we’re only three or four years old so people don’t know a lot about us.”
The job itself would be well-suited to an experienced, disciplined and innovative mechanical engineer who has prior food manufacturing experience and exposure to industrial mechanical equipment.
It’s a technical hands-on role, requiring knowledge of manufacturing best practise, maintenance planning and budget control.
Responsibilities would include ensuring plant and equipment breakdowns are dealt with in a prompt, safe and efficient manner, maximising line efficiencies through the establishment of an effective, planned maintenance program, and assisting team members with problem solving.
As well as industry experience, the ideal candidate would possess excellent communication skills, high-level interpersonal skills and sound judgement, experience in implementing systems and process changes, and also have the ability to influence, manage and challenge ideas and existing business processes.
“This is a true career opportunity in a growing global company,” Mr Howarth said.
“We are looking for someone to be part of our ambitious growth
journey by providing the opportunity to support mechanical reliability functions at our Dubbo factory. When you join Real Pet Food Company you have an opportunity to make a significant contribution while developing your career.
Interested parties can apply via Seek, Jora or at www.realpetfoodco.com.au/career-opportunities