General Operative - Paint - Temporary
Immediate Start Opportunity – General Operative (Paint)
We are currently recruiting General Operatives – Paint to support high-quality paint preparation and finishing activities within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with an eye for detail who are looking to start immediately and gain hands-on experience in automotive paint operations.
These roles are offered on a temporary, week-by-week basis, with potential to support wider production areas depending on business needs.
Summary
As a General Operative, you will support the preparation, finishing, and inspection of components to ensure they meet required quality and cosmetic standards. Working as part of a team, you will contribute to a safe, efficient, and high-performing paint operation.
What You’ll Do
• Prepare components and panels for paint, including cleaning, masking, and surface preparation
• Support paint application processes (where trained), including priming and finishing
• Inspect painted components for defects, ensuring high-quality standards are met
• Carry out rectification or rework activities as required
• Follow all paint shop processes, standards, and safety procedures
• Maintain cleanliness and organisation of work areas, tools, and equipment
• Report defects, material shortages, or process issues to team leaders
• Work to daily production targets while maintaining quality and consistency
• Demonstrate flexibility to support other production areas if required
What You’ll Bring
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to follow written instructions and standard operating procedures
• Good manual dexterity and hand–eye coordination
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, target-driven environment
• Reliable, proactive, and team-oriented attitude
• Good communication skills
• Physical capability to stand for long periods and perform manual tasks
• Ability to understand and communicate in English
Desirable Experience
• Previous experience in paint, prep, finishing, or automotive/manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of paint processes, surface preparation, or defect identification
• Experience using hand tools or working with technical processes
• Relevant qualifications (e.g. NVQ/C&G in Automotive Paint or similar)
Additional Information
• Pay: From £12.71 per hour (overtime available at enhanced rates)
• Payment: Weekly via agency
• Contract: Temporary (week-by-week)
• Duration: Expected to run up to 3 months (subject to change)
• Start Date: Immediate
• Eligibility: Must have the right to work in the UK (no sponsorship available)
About Us
Group Lotus is a world-renowned sports car manufacturer with over 75 years of innovation, engineering excellence, and racing heritage. As we transition towards an electric future, with models such as the Eletre and Emeya, we continue to push boundaries in performance and design.
Based in Hethel, Norfolk, alongside our wider UK facilities, we offer exciting opportunities to be part of a forward-thinking and pioneering team.
At Lotus, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture—we are proud to bring together talent from all backgrounds.
- 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.