Colour Sorter Technician

Primary Purpose:

The Colour Sorter Technician is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of colour sorting machinery while ensuring products meet customer specifications and food safety requirements.

The role will work closely with production, quality and maintenance teams to maximise throughput, minimise downtime, and contribute to a high-performing workplace.

A ‘hands-on’ role, the Colour Sorter Technician works in a fast-paced production environment and requires flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including rotating rosters, overnight, weekend and public holiday shifts as operational requirements dictate.

This role plays a critical part in product quality, yield optimisation, food safety compliance, and continuous operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Sorting & Packing Manager and Supervisor:

• Operate and monitor colour sorting equipment to achieve defined production targets.
• Select and validate sorting programs based on product specifications and customer requirements.
• Optimise machine settings to maximise throughput and minimise product loss, adhering to quality standards.
• Conduct pre-operational checks and assist with product changeovers.
• Continuously monitor product quality and escalate issues where required.
• Complete production documentation and maintain accurate operational records.
• Perform first-line troubleshooting and coordinate with maintenance teams when necessary.
• Ensure equipment and work areas are maintained to high housekeeping and sanitation standards.
• Follow all food safety, quality assurance and workplace health and safety procedures.
• Work collaboratively with supervisors and team members to improve operational performance and efficiency.

Equipment Operation

• Operate and monitor the effective operation of sorting equipment.
• Select, set up, and validate appropriate sorting programs based on almond product type and customer grade specifications.
• Adjust machine parameters for optimal throughput.
• Support team members to maintain workflow efficiency and minimise downtime.

Quality Assurance & Product Monitoring

• Optimise machine settings to maximise throughput, minimise product loss, and ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Assist with product changeovers,
• Follow all SOP and WI as applicable to the role.
• Continuously monitor product quality.
• Ensure all quality issues are escalated promptly to the Packing & Sorting Supervisor/Manager.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records.

Perform first-line troubleshooting and escalate unresolved technical issues to maintenance teams.

WHS Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with OH&S standards and site-specific safety procedures.
• Enforce appropriate PPE usage at all times
• Ensure lockout/tagout procedures are followed when required.
• Report hazards, risks, or mechanical issues immediately and tag out equipment when necessary.

Maintenance & Housekeeping

• Carry out first-line troubleshooting across all sorter platforms and escalate unresolved technical issues to maintenance teams.
• Oversee cleaning of colour sorters and surrounding work areas to maintain sanitary standards.
• Ensure pre-start and shutdown procedures are executed correctly.
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel to minimise downtime and support continuous operation.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor product flow and coordinate with upstream and downstream processes to maintain consistent production.
• Accurately record and report key production metrics, including throughput rates, yield percentages, reject rates, downtime, and quality deviations.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, quality assurance, and maintenance teams to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Competencies & Strengths

• Strong operational leadership and cross-functional coordination experience.
• Proven ability to optimise processes and improve performance metrics.
• Data-driven decision-making and quality monitoring expertise.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders while maintaining compliance standards.

·High attention to detail in documentation and record-keeping.

• Strong understanding of workflow optimisation and process improvement.
• Effective communicator with the ability to support and guide teams.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum of 1 year experience operating production or processing equipment within a manufacturing or food processing environment.

·Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.

·The ability to monitor product quality and make operational adjustments when required.

·Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

·Strong organisational skills with accurate record-keeping abilities.

·A commitment to workplace health and safety and food safety standards.

·An understanding of continuous improvement principles.

·Qualifications in Science, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field.

·Experience with quality monitoring and production data analysis.

Workplace Health & Safety training.

·HACCP knowledge or certification.

·Forklift Licence.(desirable)

Familiarity with optical sorting technology and associated software.

Understanding of food safety regulations relevant to Australian manufacturing.