General Operative Opportunities - Temporary Positions
Lotus Cars is renowned for crafting world-class, high-performance, and lightweight sports cars that are celebrated across the globe.
Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all-electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking General Operatives to join our dynamic manufacturing team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel.
These roles will be in our Assembly, and Paint areas, and are temporary positions only.
Summary:
The General Operative plays a vital role in supporting production activities across both Assembly and Paint operations. Working as part of a team, the role ensures that components, panels, and parts are prepared, assembled, or finished to the required quality standards, meeting daily production targets while maintaining a safe and structured working environment.
What you'll do:
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• Assemble, fit, or prepare component parts and panels to the required quality standard using a variety of hand or power tools and related equipment.
• Inspect, rework, and prepare panels for paint application following documented processes.
• Meet daily quality and production targets as set by the area Supervisor.
• Support supervision and other operators with future build rates and absence cover.
• Communicate with Team Leader / Senior Team Leader regarding concerns, shortages, or process issues.
• Ensure processes are followed consistently, tasks are completed within allocated timescales, and safety standards are upheld.
• Maintain all parts, equipment, and PPE in good condition, ensuring safe working practices at all times.
• Demonstrate flexibility to work across different areas within paint and assembly as business needs require.
What you'll bring:
• Ability to work under strict time allocations.
• Good hand-to-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• Ability to use hand and power tools safely and effectively.
• Consistent focus on meeting quality standards and production targets.
• Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Reliable, self-disciplined, trustworthy, and enthusiastic.
• Flexible and adaptable to work pattern or process changes.
• Must be able to understand and communicate effectively in English.
• Physically fit and capable of carrying out manual tasks, including lifting, standing for long periods, and working in environments containing dust and paint fumes.
• C&G, NVQ, or similar qualifications in Automotive Body Repair, Paint, or Assembly.
• Knowledge of Business Improvement Techniques (Level 2 or similar).
• Experience in a body repair, garage, assembly line, or manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of torque wrenches, vehicle construction, and panel preparation techniques.
• Experience with fibreglass repair, surface preparation, or automotive assembly.
• Good attention to detail and willingness to learn new skills.
Additional Information:
• Pay: £12.28 per hour, with the possibility of overtime at an enhanced rate.
• Payment: Weekly, via the agency. - These roles are working on a week by week basis, for Lotus Cars, on behalf of a recruitment agency (we will refer you for this). This role will only be up until December 2025 latest.
• Eligibility: Candidates must have the right to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.
Our Company:
Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with over 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully-electric Hyper-GT, Emeya.
As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.
Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars. In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.
We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.
Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/
- Department
- Manufacturing/ Operations
- Locations
- Hethel
- Role types
- Temporary
About Lotus UK Manufacturing
For more than six decades, Hethel, Norfolk, has stood as the headquarters of Lotus, tracing back to the visionary inception of our founder, Colin Chapman, crafting championship-winning racing cars.
Complementing our legacy, production facilities in Norwich and Warwick collectively form an integral part of our UK footprint, providing a diverse array of opportunities
Hethel hosts our race track, engineering functions, and the newly established Chapman Production Centre. This centre of excellence is renowned for its world-class standards and is presently engaged in crafting the Emira, Lotus's ultimate petrol-powered masterpiece.
The Chapman Production Centre stands as one of the world's most advanced low-volume automotive manufacturing facilities, with a capacity to produce approximately 5,000 cars annually.
Featuring a cutting-edge paint shop equipped with automated processes, and robots - including primer, colour, and clear coat application, it ensures an unparalleled finish, efficient throughput, and flawless consistency for our vehicles.
As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.
Already working at Lotus UK Manufacturing?
Let’s recruit together and find your next colleague.