Refinery Operator

Bring your hands-on skills and teamwork to one of Australia’s most iconic FMCG brands and help deliver the sweet things Australians love.

Sugar Australia has a great opportunity for a Refinery Operator to join our team at our Yarraville VIC Refinery. In this role, you’ll support the safe and efficient running of our refinery operations, contribute to housekeeping and GMP standards, and assist across critical daily tasks that keep our site performing at its best.

The sweet things you’ll be involved in:

As a Refinery Operator, you’ll support the day to day running of the Yarraville Refinery by carrying out routine operational tasks, monitoring equipment, and ensuring production areas remain safe, clean and running smoothly. This is a hands-on role that involves both process work and general refinery duties.

You will:

• Carry out daily, weekly and monthly tasks that keep refinery processes operating efficiently, ensuring all required logbooks and checks are completed.
• Operate and monitor refinery equipment, including valves, pumps, screens, filters and conveyors, following standard operating procedures.
• Use SCADA and simple testing equipment to check process conditions, product flow and quality indicators, escalating issues when something isn’t running as expected.
• Perform regular process checks around the plant, including walk through inspections, sampling, product verification and monitoring of equipment performance.
• Complete housekeeping duties to maintain GMP standards, including cleaning work areas, managing spillages, dust control and general hygiene.
• Assist with preparing equipment for maintenance (isolation, cleaning, emptying lines, basic troubleshooting) and support technicians when required.
• Refill and maintain general operational materials or consumables needed for the process area.
• Support different areas of the refinery throughout the shift, moving between tasks as priorities change.
• Once trained, provide relief coverage for at least one operational station to support shift teams.

Shift Structure:

This is a permanent full-time position reporting to the Shift Team Leader and operating on a 12-hour rotating shift roster. During training, the role will be worked on day shift before transitioning to a rotating roster that includes day shifts (6:00am-6:00pm), night shifts (6:00pm-6:00am) and weekend work as part of a 3 week cycle.

What we’re looking for:

We’re looking for a motivated self-starter with a strong safety mindset, mechanical aptitude and the ability to work flexibly across different tasks as priorities change. You will bring:

• High School Certificate
• Current Forklift Licence (LF)
• Experience in a manufacturing, operating or industrial environment (1+ years desirable)
• Trade qualifications or a Certificate/Diploma in Manufacturing or Engineering will be highly regarded
• Strong literacy and numeracy skills to complete accurate logbooks and documentation
• Good verbal communication skills and the ability to work well within a team
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to solve problems or think ahead
• Reliability, motivation and the willingness to take initiative
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing physical demands and maintain professionalism
• A commitment to safe work practices, housekeeping and continuous improvement

About Sugar Australia:

Sugar Australia is the nation’s trusted partner in sugar and ingredient solutions, enabling our customers to make great products for every home since 1855. We proudly own and operate refineries, packing facilities, sugar silo terminals, and warehouse distribution sites across the country.

You'll find our retail products at your local supermarket under the iconic CSR sugar brand. We also supply refined sugar products and many other ingredients to the industrial, foodservice, and hospitality industries, serving some of the largest brands in the country.

When you join Sugar Australia, you’re not just stepping into a job – you’re becoming part of a passionate, inclusive, and values-led culture that champions collaboration, learning and continuous improvement.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package and exclusive corporate discounts
• Health and wellbeing programs, regular social events and employee recognition initiatives
• Ongoing learning and career development opportunities
• A friendly and collaborative culture with a strong focus on our people and our customers
• A proudly Australian business with over 170 years of history
• Access to our product range – perfect for those with a passion for baking

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Interested?

Join us in creating the sweet things Australians love – apply now to start your journey with Sugar Australia.