Kiln Operative - Desford, Coalville

Forterra - Desford, Heath Road, Bagworth, Coalville, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Posted Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 01:00 | Expires Friday 29 May 2026 at 23:59

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Desford team in the position of Kiln Operative.

The successful candidate will run and monitor all kilns/dryers at the designated brickworks ensuring that they operate consistently, safely to deliver products to the required level of process and quality conformity. Optimise the kiln and dryers through the completion of process checks, identifying and resolving issues within scope area of influence. Escalate issues in accordance with the site process that directly impact the performance of the dryer and kiln. Carry out comprehensive quality checks on site.

• Run and monitor all kilns and the brick firing process (look after the day-to-day operation).
• Run and monitor the brick drying process, ensuring that the dryer is functioning correctly, and moisture readings are taken as required.
• Carry out dimensional checks to ensure bricks are inside dimensional tolerances and report any deviation to the Production Manager and the rest of the management team.
• Carry out energy readings every shift and complete excel reports for environmental permit, local council permit, and operational needs.
• Complete weekly and monthly energy usage reports including gas, electricity and water data.
• Act as an out-of-hours contact for the site for any emergency calls or out-of-hours assistance that is required.
• Facilitate kiln and dryer calibration with on-site electricians supporting or with external bodies.
• Assist with maintenance of the kilns, alongside maintenance staff, and maintain records.
• Maintain burners, sand seal, etc. on the kilns, with assistance where required, and maintain records.
• Carry out brick moisture checks for drying process, as required.
• Assist with improvement projects to optimise kiln speeds & efficiency, modifying kiln or drying curves where required. Any changes must be authorised and logged.
• Assist with data collection on the kiln and drying bays such as filling out check sheets or excel data sheets.
• Produce daily drying information for brickworks shift managers to help them plan the shift based on brick availability.
• Act as responsible person if the brickworks shift manager is called away or off-site at short notice.
• Ensure that any maintenance breakdowns or defects in equipment are highlighted at the earliest opportunity and report to the site maintenance team and management as soon as possible.
• Ensure that the offices are locked and secured in the evenings once all office staff have left site.
• Maintain radio contact with brickworks shift manager at all times to ensure own safety but also to support with production and operational needs.
• Ensure kiln cars go in and out of the kilns & dryers on time in the brickworks and any alarms are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Ensure preventative maintenance tasks are carried out on a weekly basis such as greasing of kiln cars. Maintain records.
• Ensure that water checks are carried out, and any alarms or readings outside normal range are reported to the shift manager.
• Carry out bulk storage tank checks & silo checks for environmental compliance.
• Monitor out-of-hours site security and reporting of trespassing.

The job requires no formal education or qualification, the role does require a minimum of 3 months training from competent operator ensuring close supervision during the period, and a competency check procedure carried out on all duties.

• Working safely with gas trained – to a level to operate & maintain the kiln.
• Ability to set and maintain high standards.
• Ability to manage kiln performance to sustainable, measurable improvement in all aspects of manufacturing performance.
• Self‑motivated to identify and deliver improvement against agreed objectives and timescales.
• Clear, logical approach to problem solving.
• Able to execute and deliver improvement (Through good data collection and analytical skills.)
• Excellent computer skills, with a good understanding of Microsoft Excel.
• Able to document data into spreadsheets and data collection sheets.
• Good administrative and organisational skills.

And any other training that is deemed necessary for you to perform your job role effectively.

• Competitive Salary and Benefits package
• Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution
• Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Service Awards
• Holiday Exchange Scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Program
• Personal development and opportunities for progression