Conversion / Sliiter Machine Operator
Saica
£30.2k per year
Wigan, WN5 0LQ
Full time, permanent
The Breakroom Take
- Proper breaks
About Saica
Saica manufactures cardboard and flexible packaging.
Job description from Saica
Conversion / Slitter Machine Operator
Location: Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 0LQ
Salary: £30,200 per annum + Excellent Benefits!
Contract: Full time, permanent. Shift patterns detailed below
Benefits: 22 Days of holiday plus Bank Holidays, Christmas shut down, Flu and eye test vouchers, Company Sick Pay Scheme (available after 12 months of continuous service), Refer a Friend Scheme of £500, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Discount Platform
Saica is one of the leading European players in the development and production of recycled paper for corrugated cardboard with a production of 2.5 million tons of paper.
With more than 10,000 employees across Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, UK, Ireland, Turkey, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and The USA, Saica Group has four business divisions: recycled paper production for corrugated cardboard (PAPER), recyclable materials recovery (NATUR), production of corrugated packaging (PACK) and flexible packaging (FLEX).
Sustainability at Saica begins with our values - we care, we value and we challenge!
We are now recruiting for a Conversion / Slitter Machine Operator to set and maintain conversion machinery to slit, macro punch and micro perf a range of plastic film.
You will work within a safe and controlled manner in line with the required standards and operating procedures.
You will be responsible for understanding the customer requirements for the product and ensuring that they are followed to the highest possible standard throughout the production run.
We are ideally looking for employees that have machine setter/operator experience, but not essential as full training will be given.
In order to be successful in this role you must have:
- Previous manufacturing experience
- Ability to read and follow customer specification to set up the slitting machine to perform slitting, punch holes and hot needle perforation holes
- Maintain quality during the production run including regular quality checks of samples
- Operate processes in line with lean manufacturing techniques to maintain machine efficiency at all times
- Bagging, labelling and palletisation of slit reels in line with customer requirements
- Ability to work to schedules, utilising line side computer to follow a production plan
- Working to the site clean as you go policy at all times
- Completion of daily production report detailing shift/order output including weights and meterage calculations
- Operate in line with site health and safety, environmental and quality standards
The site operates a 24/7 shift system spread over four-week pattern.
A willingness to work a shift pattern covering days, nights and weekends is essential.
The role operates 12-hour shifts across a 4-week Continental shift pattern:
- Week 1 - 4 nights, 3 off
- Week 2 - 3 days, 1 off, 3 nights
- Week 3 - 3 off, 4 days
- Week 4 - 7 off
Saica is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
If you feel you have what it takes to be successful in this role then please click APPLY and submit your up to date CV and covering letter for consideration.
No agencies please.
Job insights from Breakroom
Machine operators
Machine operators make, service and repair machinery and tools across different industries.
What you’ll do as a machine operator:
- Maintenance of machines and tools
- Ability to use repair and replace parts needed
- Understand mechanics and engineering
- Responsible for health and safety
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Physical activities
- Heavy lifting
- Wearing a uniform
What employees say
Pay
-
Good
-
Most people are paid a living wage
Do Saica pay a living wage?
Most people are paid a living wage.
How we know this
100% of people say they are paid at or above the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Good
-
Most people are paid market rates
Do Saica pay market rates?
Most people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
80% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
-
Only some people get paid breaks
Do workers at Saica get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
36% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Okay
-
Only some people get sick pay
Do Saica pay sick pay?
Sometimes. Only some people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
38% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Good
-
Most people don’t do unpaid extra work
Do workers at Saica do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Rarely. Most people don’t do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
76% of people report that they don’t do extra unpaid work.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and December 2025.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
-
Good
-
Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at Saica worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
67% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between July 2024 and December 2025.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t get any choice of shifts
Do Saica workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Most people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
94% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 18 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and December 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Needs improving
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Hard to change shifts
How easy is it for Saica workers to change shifts?
Most people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
90% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 10 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and December 2025.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
-
Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at Saica?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
73% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Good
-
Shifts don’t get changed at short notice
Do Saica managers change shifts at short notice?
Most managers don’t change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
100% of people say their manager doesn’t changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and December 2025.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
-
Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at Saica?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
37% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Okay
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Only some parents say it’s good
Is working at Saica good if you’re a parent or carer?
Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.
How we know this
45% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.Based on data from 11 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.
Workplace
-
Okay
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Only some people feel treated with respect
Do people at Saica feel treated with respect by their managers?
Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
40% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Good
-
Most people get proper breaks
Do people at Saica get proper breaks?
Most people get proper breaks.
How we know this
67% of people report that they get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Okay
-
Some people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at Saica?
Some people feel stressed here.
How we know this
65% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at Saica enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
37% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at Saica recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
55% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 22 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at Saica?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
48% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 21 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Needs improving
-
Most people don’t get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at Saica?
Most people aren’t given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 71% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 17 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
-
Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think Saica head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
95% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 20 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Needs improving
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Most people don’t feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how Saica is doing?
Most people don’t feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
80% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 15 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between March 2024 and February 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What Saica employees say about their job
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Best thing
On the whole a good company with good people.
Worst thing
New contracts, people in here longer have better pay and better terms on there contacts. They pushed these contracts in the back door no one on the shop floor was aware of it,could be £400 difference in wages between you and the person next to you doing the same job.
Employee at Saica, July 2025
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Best thing
Allocated workload
Worst thing
Make you work hard for your money
Finance assistant at Saica, October 2023
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