Smurfit WestRock, the global leader in paper‑based packaging, is offering opportunities at our Belfast‑based plant in Mallusk, Newtownabbey. The Belfast plant is the largest pharmaceutical packaging facility in Ireland and has been in existence for over 150 years. We offer secure full‑time employment with excellent career development opportunities, a highly competitive salary, and strong employee incentives. The Belfast site has an annual turnover of more than £40 million and employs 170 full‑time staff.

Due to continued growth, we are seeking to fill the role:

Warehouse Operator / Material Handler – Pharmaceutical Packaging

We’re seeking an experienced Warehouse Operator / Material Handler to join our dynamic team at our Mallusk site, where your technical skills, problem‑solving ability, and attention to detail will make a real impact. We’re looking for someone with strong accuracy, initiative, and previous warehouse material‑handling experience. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring all raw materials, WIP items, and finished goods are processed correctly and efficiently.

Job Purpose

The Warehouse Operator / Material Handler plays a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the site. The main purpose is to ensure materials, packaging items, and finished goods move efficiently throughout the production floor and warehouse, supporting on time customer delivery. The successful candidate will work as part of a small team reporting to the Warehouse Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Material Handling & Stock Control

• Supply materials to the relevant departments, replenish stock, and manage stock levels to support ongoing operations.
• Assist with stock checks, ensuring storage areas are clean, organised, and items are stored correctly.
• Unload deliveries, check goods for quality and quantity, maintain accurate records, label items, and place stock in the correct storage locations.
• Operate barcode scanners, inventory management systems, and IT equipment to track stock and support order fulfilment.

Warehouse Operations

• Support goods‑in and goods‑out processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with company procedures.
• Liaise with internal departments to ensure all operational and administrative processes are followed correctly.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards within the warehouse to promote a safe and efficient working environment.
• Follow all company procedures to maintain compliance with Health & Safety requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a warehouse environment.
• Basic computer literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, or similar software.
• Forklift driving experience.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure.
• Eager to learn and use initiative to support problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills.
• Flexible and able to work a double‑day shift pattern, Monday to Friday.
• Confident problem solver with a proactive mindset.

Salary

• Competitive salary: £31,000 – £34,000 (depending on experience).

Opportunities for Progression

Warehouse Operators / Material Handlers who demonstrate strong initiative, reliability, and a desire to develop will have opportunities to progress into:

• Team Leader roles
• Senior Warehouse or Logistics positions

Benefits

• Free onsite parking.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• 195 hours flexible holiday allowance, plus 8 annual bank holidays
• Cycle to work scheme..
• Company sponsored education opportunities.
• Employee perks and discount platform.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Long service awards..
• Reward and recognition initiatives.
• Shift premium paid in addition to basic salary.
• Opportunities for voluntary overtime paid at a premium rate.