Production Operative

Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.

The Sushi Factory Operator is responsible for efficiently preparing, assembling, and packaging sushi products in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role requires adherence to strict food safety standards, precise recipe execution, and collaboration with team members to meet production goals. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced setting, maintains attention to detail, and upholds quality and hygiene protocols.

1. Ingredient Preparation

•  Handle, portion, and prepare raw ingredients (fish, vegetables, rice) using tools like knives, rice cookers, and cutting machines.
•  Ensure ingredients meet quality and freshness standards.

2. Sushi Assembly

• Operate machinery (e.g., sushi rolling machines) and manually assemble products (rolls, nigiri, sashimi) following standardized recipes.
• Cut, portion, and arrange sushi for packaging.

3. Quality Control

• Inspect ingredients and finished products for defects or contamination.
• Adhere to portion control and presentation guidelines.

4. Packaging & Labelling

• Package sushi in compliance with food safety standards, ensuring proper sealing and labelling (dates, ingredients, allergens).
• Monitor packaging machinery for efficiency.

5. Equipment Maintenance

• Clean, sanitize, and maintain workstations and tools daily.
• Report equipment malfunctions promptly.

6. Safety & Sanitation

• Follow HACCP, and company hygiene protocols.
• Wear PPE (gloves, hairnets) and maintain a sanitized workspace.

7. Production Efficiency

• Meet daily production quotas with minimal waste.
• Optimize workflow to maintain speed and accuracy.

8. Team Collaboration

• Communicate with supervisors and peers to resolve issues.
• Participate in training and process improvement initiatives.

 

Qualifications:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: 1/2+ years in food production, sushi prep, kitchen or chef (prep chef, chef de partie) or similar role.
• Skills:

1. Proficiency with knives and kitchen tools.
2. Detail-oriented with ability to follow recipes/instructions.
3. Physical stamina for standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs), and repetitive tasks.
4. Team player with effective communication.

• Certifications: Food Handler’s Card (required); HACCP training (preferred).

Work Environment:

• Cold (5-12C), wet, and noisy factory setting.
• Flexible hours, including early mornings, weekends, or overtime.

We're proud to offer:

• Opportunity to grow your career alongside with us with available apprentice program
• Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
• Contribute towards our award-winning sustainability initiatives that delivers progress against 9 UN sustainability goals. We're committed to responsibly sourcing and all our seafood, therefore we only use source sustainable fish. All our packaging is recyclable and 80% of our packaging is already made from recycled plastic.
• Annual Awards ceremony celebrating our success and offering winning Managers free trips to Japan.

About us:

Come roll with us and be part of something big. Celebrate global success across:

• Over 1500 retail kiosks globally (YO!, Panku, Mai Taiko Snowfox & Bento)
• Our Taiko manufacturing and distribution centre
• 63 YO! restaurants
• 50 major retail partners
• 3700 locations globally From Hawaii to Aberdeen

Our Values

• Own it, Care About it, Make it Exceptional, Win Together

Ready to Roll?

Come roll with us and play a key role by bringing people together to celebrate better food for everyone the Japanese way...