Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Batch Maker

🎯 Role Definition

The Batch Maker is a hands-on production specialist responsible for executing and documenting batch production in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP/cGMP) and company recipes to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality product output. This role operates mixers, scales, dosing equipment, and ancillary production machinery; performs in-process checks and sampling; maintains accurate batch records; executes sanitation and changeover tasks; and supports continuous improvement and safety initiatives across shifts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Associate / Line Operator
Warehouse or Material Handler with production cross-training
Food Processing or Packaging Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Batch Maker / Lead Batch Maker
Production Supervisor / Shift Lead
Process Technician or Quality Control Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance Technician
Sanitation Supervisor
Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute batch preparation and production runs by accurately measuring, weighing and mixing raw materials and ingredients strictly according to written recipes, formulations and SOPs to achieve target quality and yield.
Prepare and operate industrial mixers, tanks, pumps, fillers, and dosing equipment safely and efficiently, following manufacturer instructions and site-specific operating procedures.
Maintain complete and accurate batch records, production logs and electronic data entry (MES/ERP) for every run, ensuring traceability of materials, lot numbers and operator actions for regulatory compliance.
Perform in-process quality checks including pH, viscosity, temperature, Brix, density and other specified metrics, and record results; recognize deviations and initiate corrective actions or escalate to QA as required.
Conduct pre-production equipment set-up, calibration of scales and gauges, and line changeovers to ensure the equipment is configured to recipe specifications and within tolerance limits.
Follow cGMP, HACCP and food safety protocols, including allergen controls, separation of production streams and proper handling and storage of ingredients to prevent contamination.
Collect and label in-process and finished product samples per sampling plan; coordinate with QA/QC for testing and hold product for release when necessary.
Execute cleaning-in-place (CIP) and clean-out-of-place (COP) sanitation procedures to meet sanitation schedules and validate cleanliness before product changeovers.
Verify inventory and par levels of raw materials and packaging components, report shortages, and coordinate with materials/warehouse to ensure uninterrupted production.
Troubleshoot common mechanical, electrical or process issues, performing basic adjustments and minor repairs, and document incidents and resolutions in maintenance logs.
Operate PLCs, HMI panels and automated controls during production shifts, adjusting setpoints under supervision and following lockout/tagout (LOTO) and safety protocols.
Perform risk assessments and participate in pre-start safety checks, ensuring all safety guards, PPE and emergency stops are in place and functional prior to production.
Conduct first-line quality investigations for non-conforming batches, assist QA in root cause analysis and implement containment measures and corrective actions as instructed.
Assist in component and raw material inspection at goods-received staging to verify identity, condition and batch labels before movement to production areas.
Support environmental monitoring and recordkeeping in regulated environments, documenting temperature, humidity and other controlled conditions during production and storage.
Participate in product changeover and new product introductions by following pilot batch documentation and providing operator feedback on manufacturability and process adjustments.
Execute packaging and secondary operations when required, including weighing, portioning, sealing and palletizing finished goods according to labeling and packing specifications.
Complete daily housekeeping, maintain organized workstations, and follow 5S/lean manufacturing practices to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Provide training and on-the-job coaching to new hires and temporary operators on safe operation of equipment, proper measurement techniques and documentation standards.
Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies, recommending improvements, and participating in kaizen events or time studies.
Ensure compliance with regulatory documentation, audit readiness and support internal and external audits by providing accurate batch records and process evidence.
Follow batch disposition and hold protocols, segregating suspect or non-conforming product and ensuring appropriate traceability until disposition is given.
Communicate effectively across shifts and departments during handovers, ensuring production status, open issues and priorities are clearly documented and relayed.

Secondary Functions

Assist with ad-hoc inventory counts, cycle counts and materials reconciliation to support accurate inventory management.
Participate in cross-functional meetings with QA, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to align on production schedules and quality priorities.
Contribute to the development and revision of SOPs, work instructions and batch documentation based on operator feedback and process changes.
Support occasional weekend or overtime runs during peak demand or campaign production as required by business needs.
Help implement digital transformation efforts by providing input on MES/ERP usability and data capture improvements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Knowledge and practical application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP / cGMP) and HACCP principles for food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Proficiency with accurate weighing and dispensing techniques, including operation and calibration of industrial scales and dosing systems.
Hands-on experience operating industrial mixers, blenders, kettles, pumps, fillers, and associated process controls.
Ability to read and follow complex SOPs, formulations, batch tickets and technical recipes with high attention to detail.
Experience with batch record documentation and data entry in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
Competency in taking and documenting in-process quality tests (e.g., pH, Brix, viscosity, temperature, weight checks).
Basic troubleshooting skills for mechanical and process issues and familiarity with preventive maintenance practices and maintenance ticket systems.
Working knowledge of PLC and HMI interaction, setpoint adjustment, and operational alarm response.
Familiarity with CIP/COP procedures, sanitation validation and use of cleaning chemicals and safety data sheets (SDS).
Experience with lot traceability, raw material identification, labeling, and sample management for QA testing.
Understanding of LOTO (lockout/tagout), confined space entry, and standard workplace safety and PPE requirements (OSHA awareness).
Basic math skills for scaling recipes, calculating yields, and converting units of measure.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy in measurements and documentation.
Effective verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with QA, Maintenance and Supply Chain.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate appropriate issues and participate in root cause analysis.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, shift-based manufacturing environment with flexibility for nights, weekends, or overtime.
Team-oriented attitude and willingness to train and mentor junior operators.
Dependability and strong work ethic with consistent adherence to safety and quality standards.
Adaptability to changing schedules, new product introductions and process improvements.
Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, batch priorities and documentation requirements under time constraints.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education:
Associate degree or technical diploma in Food Science, Chemical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Manufacturing Technology or related field

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science / Food Technology
Chemical Engineering Technology
Industrial or Manufacturing Technology
Microbiology or Applied Science (for regulated products)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
1–5 years in a manufacturing or processing environment; entry-level candidates with strong mechanical aptitude and production internship experience may be considered.

Preferred:
2+ years as a Batch Maker, Production Operator, or Process Technician in food, beverage, nutraceutical or pharmaceutical manufacturing with documented experience in SOP execution, batch record keeping and adherence to GMP/HACCP protocols.