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Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

Production Operative CV Template (Text Format)

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Experienced Production Operative with 9 years in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Skilled in machine operation, health and safety compliance, and quality control, consistently boosting productivity and reducing defects. Strong team collaborator with a focus on maintaining operational efficiency and minimising downtime.

KEY SKILLS

Machine operation, Health and safety compliance, Quality control, Attention to detail, Teamwork

WORK EXPERIENCE

Production Operative | Safran Nacelles, Burnley
January 20XX – Present

  • Operate and maintain various types of machinery to ensure smooth production, achieving a 98% machine uptime rate
  • Implement and adhere to health and safety protocols, resulting in zero accidents over a three-year period
  • Conduct quality control inspections, reducing defective products by 15%
  • Collaborate with a team of 20+ operatives to meet daily production targets, contributing to a 10% increase in overall productivity
  • Complete cross-training in different production areas to support operational flexibility during peak times

Production Operative | Calico Group, Burnley
January 20XX – December 20XX

  • Operated extrusion machines for plastic production with a focus on quality control, reducing waste by 12%
  • Assisted in warehouse management by organising stock and ensuring accurate inventory levels
  • Followed stringent health and safety guidelines, contributing to the company’s ISO certification
  • Troubleshot and resolved minor machine issues, minimising downtime and ensuring continuous production flow
  • Supported the training of new operatives on safe machine handling and best practices

Production Operative | Fort Vale Engineering, Burnley
January 20XX – December 20XX

  • Managed the operation of packaging machines, consistently exceeding production quotas by 10%
  • Participated in cross-training initiatives, enhancing team flexibility and operational efficiency
  • Applied attention to detail in checking the accuracy of packaging labels, ensuring compliance with client requirements
  • Worked alongside the quality assurance team to address and reduce product defects by 8%
  • Collaborated with the maintenance team to perform preventative maintenance on machinery, reducing unplanned downtime by 20%

EDUCATION

NVQ Level 2 in Performing Manufacturing Operations
Burnley College, Burnley
Completed: July 20XX

GCSEs
Blessed Trinity RC College, Burnley
Completed: June 20XX

  • English (5)
  • Maths (6)
  • Science (5)
  • Design & Technology (6)

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Health and Safety in the Workplace (Level 2)
  • Forklift Truck Operation Certificate
  • First Aid at Work Certificate

How to write a production operative CV

Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.

If you’re writing your production operative CV, bear in mind that a strong CV for you should emphasise your hands-on skills, familiarity with the machinery you’ll need to use on a daily basis, and your ability to maintain efficiency.

To get the job, you’ll need to show you can meet production targets, ensure product quality, and adhere to safety standards.

Use these tips to craft a CV that shows that you have the practical experience and skills to be part of a productive and safe work environment.

1. Showcase your efficiency in your personal statement

As a production operative, your personal statement should highlight your experience in manufacturing, assembly, or production environments and show you know how to work efficiently, follow safety protocols, and contribute to smooth operations.

So you should emphasise your attention to detail, teamwork, and ability to handle machinery or production processes.

Example of a production operative personal statement

Skilled production operative with 4+ years of experience working in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Proficient in operating production machinery, ensuring quality control, and maintaining a clean and safe workspace. Known for strong attention to detail, adherence to safety regulations, and ability to work effectively in team settings to meet production targets and deadlines.

2. Highlight your technical and soft skills

The skills section of your CV should reflect your hands-on abilities, familiarity with machinery or tools, and your understanding of production processes.

A simple list of your abilities is all you need, but do include relevant personal skills like communication and teamwork because they’re essential in maintaining smooth operations on the production floor.

Example of a production operative’s skills section

Skills

  • Manufacturing processes
  • Quality control and assurance
  • Machine operation and maintenance
  • Health and safety compliance
  • Assembly line production
  • Inventory management
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Team collaboration
  • Time management
  • Data entry and record keeping
  • Basic troubleshooting
  • Adaptability to change
  • Physical stamina and dexterity
  • Lean manufacturing principles
  • Forklift operation (if applicable)
  • Process improvement initiatives

3. Focus on efficiency, safety, and results

In your work experience section, show you can contribute to production targets, improve efficiency, and adhere to safety checks to show employers you’ll be a trouble-free hire.

And also mention any key achievements like exceeding production targets or reducing downtime because they show hiring managers you’ll be good for their business.

Example of a production operative work experience section

Production Operative, Pasta Evangelists – Coventry (20XX–Present)

  • Operate machinery for the production and packaging of fresh pasta, ensuring smooth workflow and adherence to food safety standards
  • Monitor production processes, maintaining high product quality and reducing waste by 10%
  • Conduct quality control checks, identifying and addressing any inconsistencies to ensure products meet company standards
  • Work collaboratively with the production team to meet daily and weekly production targets, consistently achieving goals
  • Assist in streamlining production processes, contributing to a 15% increase in overall efficiency

Assembly Line Worker, Innocent Drinks – Coventry (20XX–20XX)

  • Managed the operation of bottling and labelling machinery in a fast-paced production environment
  • Conducted routine maintenance and troubleshooting on production equipment, reducing downtime by 12%
  • Ensured compliance with hygiene and safety regulations, maintaining a clean and safe work environment at all times
  • Performed regular quality checks on juice products, reducing defects by 8% through early detection of issues
  • Worked as part of a team to optimise production line efficiency, contributing to a 20% improvement in production output

4. Demonstrate your foundational knowledge in your education section

If you don’t have a uni degree, any relevant vocational training and certifications related to safety, machinery operation, or industry-specific skills are great things to add to your CV because they show you don’t need your new employer to train you. So highlight them in your education section.

Example of a production operative education and certifications section

Education:
High School Diploma, Leeds City College (20XX–20XX)
Focus: Maths and Engineering Basics

Certifications:
Forklift Truck Licence (FLT) – 20XX
Health & Safety in Manufacturing Certification – 20XX
COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) Training – 20XX

Need more ideas?

Our library of CV examples has hundreds of tailored CVs you can use to fine-tune your job application and stand out from other applicants.

Production Operative job outlook in 2024 — things to know

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), production operatives in the UK earn an average annual salary of £26,387.

You can find information about the gender pay gap for production operatives on the ONS’ website.

Data source: The Office for National Statistics, an agency of His Majesty’s Government. The information contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 and reflects the ONS’s most recent salary (1/11/2023), gender pay gap (4/2023), and skills shortage data (6/2022).

Samuel Johns
Written by

Samuel Johns

Samuel Johns is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and senior career counsellor on the CV Genius team, with almost 5 years of experience in the career space. He has helped countless job hunters craft high-quality CVs and cover letters, exceed expectations at interviews, and obtain their dream jobs. Born and raised in County Durham in the beautiful North East of England, he graduated with a BA (Hons) in French Language and Literature from the University of Bristol in 2013 and has worked in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London, Paris, and Taipei as a French–English translator. He’s determined to use his native English and fluent French skills to help UK and French candidates get the jobs they deserve. In addition to the British and French versions of CV Genius, Samuel’s job-hunt advice has been published on numerous websites, including Careers.org, the University of Warwick, the Enterprisers Project, and HR.com. If you’d like to collaborate, please reach out to Samuel through LinkedIn. Please note, we don’t accept guest posts and won’t reply to such requests.