Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Food Process Operator

💰 $35,000 - $55,000+ (dependent on experience and location)

ManufacturingProductionFood & BeverageGeneral Labor

🎯 Role Definition

As a Food Process Operator, you are the hands-on expert responsible for transforming raw ingredients into high-quality finished goods. You'll manage and monitor sophisticated machinery, execute precise production formulas, and uphold our unwavering commitment to food safety and quality standards like GMP and HACCP. Your diligence and expertise ensure the consistent and efficient delivery of the products our customers love, making you a vital contributor to our operational success and brand reputation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Production Worker or Associate
  • Packaging Technician
  • Warehouse Associate
  • General Laborer in a manufacturing setting

Advancement To:

  • Senior Food Process Operator
  • Production Line Lead or Team Leader
  • Production Supervisor
  • Quality Control (QC) Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Maintenance Technician (with additional training)
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Associate
  • Sanitation Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate, monitor, and adjust a variety of food processing equipment, including industrial mixers, blenders, ovens, extruders, depositors, and filling machines, to produce finished goods according to schedule.
  • Execute production recipes and batch formulas with precision, accurately weighing, measuring, and combining raw materials and ingredients.
  • Continuously monitor the production line and equipment performance to ensure optimal efficiency, output, and quality, making proactive adjustments to parameters like temperature, pressure, and speed.
  • Conduct regular in-process quality control checks, such as testing product temperature, viscosity, weight, appearance, and texture, to ensure compliance with all product specifications.
  • Adhere strictly to all food safety protocols, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and allergen control programs.
  • Perform comprehensive sanitation and cleaning of all processing equipment, tools, and work areas, following detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cleaning and sanitization (CIP/COP).
  • Skillfully execute equipment changeovers between different product runs, minimizing downtime while ensuring all components are correctly set up and sanitized.
  • Accurately complete and maintain all required production documentation, including batch records, quality logs, sanitation checklists, and operator reports, ensuring data integrity for traceability.
  • Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve minor mechanical issues and processing disruptions, escalating complex maintenance problems to supervisors or the maintenance team promptly.
  • Safely operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts, pallet jacks, and drum lifters, to transport raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products.
  • Manage the staging of raw materials and packaging supplies for production runs, ensuring all necessary components are available to prevent line stoppages.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance tasks on machinery as assigned to contribute to equipment reliability and longevity.
  • Actively participate in the plant's safety program, adhering to all safety guidelines, utilizing personal protective equipment (PPE), and reporting any unsafe conditions or near misses.
  • Uphold a high standard of housekeeping within the production area, maintaining a clean, organized, and safe work environment at all times.
  • Collaborate effectively with team members, supervisors, and quality assurance personnel to coordinate production activities and resolve any emerging issues.
  • Collect product samples at specified intervals during the production process for laboratory analysis and quality assurance verification.
  • Operate control panels and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) to manage automated processes and monitor critical production data.
  • Assist in the packaging and labeling of finished products, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all labeling requirements.
  • Manage rework or reprocessing of products as directed, ensuring it meets all quality and safety standards before being reintroduced to the line.
  • Monitor inventory levels of ingredients and packaging in the immediate work area and communicate replenishment needs to the supply chain or warehouse team.

Secondary Functions

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives by providing feedback and suggestions for enhancing process efficiency, safety, and product quality.
  • Assist in the on-the-job training and mentoring of new operators, sharing knowledge of equipment operation and plant procedures.
  • Participate actively in team meetings, shift-change handovers, and safety briefings to ensure seamless communication and operational continuity.
  • Support physical inventory counts and cycle counts for raw materials, packaging, and finished goods as required by the inventory control team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Machine Operation: Proven ability to operate, monitor, and adjust complex manufacturing and packaging machinery.
  • GMP & HACCP: Strong knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices and food safety principles, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.
  • Quality Control: Experience with in-process quality checks, sampling, and testing procedures.
  • Sanitation Procedures: Proficiency in following sanitation protocols (CIP/COP) for food-grade equipment.
  • Basic Mechanics: Aptitude for troubleshooting and resolving minor equipment malfunctions.
  • Mathematical Skills: Ability to perform basic calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, for batching and record-keeping.
  • Computer Literacy: Competency in using HMI panels and basic data entry for production reporting.
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Understanding and practical application of LOTO safety procedures.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous in following recipes, procedures, and quality standards to ensure product consistency and safety.
  • Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically to identify issues and implement effective solutions on the production line.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work cooperatively within a diverse team.
  • Communication: Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills for shift handovers and reporting.
  • Reliability & Dependability: Strong work ethic with a commitment to punctuality and consistent performance.
  • Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing production schedules and priorities.
  • Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), and perform repetitive tasks in a manufacturing environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational or Technical Certificate in Food Science, Manufacturing Technology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Food Science
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Industrial Mechanics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3+ years of hands-on experience in a food manufacturing, CPG, or pharmaceutical production environment.

Preferred: Direct experience with specific food processing equipment (e.g., industrial mixers, thermal processors, fillers, automated packaging lines) and familiarity with automated control systems (HMI/SCADA) is highly desirable. Forklift certification is a strong plus.

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