Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jam Operator

🎯 Role Definition

A Jam Operator runs and maintains jam production and filling equipment to produce high-quality fruit spreads at scale. The operator follows standardized recipes and procedures, performs in-process quality checks (temperature, Brix, pH, viscosity), completes accurate batch records and traceability documentation, conducts routine clean-in-place (CIP) and sanitation tasks, troubleshoots minor mechanical and process issues, and coordinates with Quality Assurance, Maintenance and Packaging teams to meet safety, yield, and delivery targets.

This role is ideal for hands-on food production professionals who combine machine operation experience, food-safety discipline, and a continuous-improvement mindset to reliably produce shelf-stable fruit preserves.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Assistant / General Labourer (Food Plant)
Bakery or Confectionery Line Operator
Food Processing Operator (canning/filling)

Advancement To:

Senior Jam/Spread Line Operator
Production Team Lead / Line Supervisor
Process Technician or Maintenance Technician
Quality Assurance Technician (Food Safety)
Production Manager / Shift Manager

Lateral Moves:

Packaging / Palletizing Operator
Filling & Sealing Machine Operator
Quality Control / Lab Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor and control jam production equipment (kettles, cookers, vacuum pans, homogenizers, mixers, transfer pumps and automatic filling lines) to produce consistent product according to approved recipes and production schedules.
Set up and change over filling machines and packaging lines for different jar sizes, pouch types, and lid styles, including accurate adjustment of pumps, nozzles, fill volumes, start/stop sequences and conveyors.
Accurately weigh and meter fruit purée, sugar, pectin, acidulants and other ingredients following batch tickets and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure recipe compliance and product consistency.
Conduct in-process quality checks (temperature, Brix/sugar concentration, pH, viscosity, color and particulates) at prescribed intervals and record data in batch records and digital logs for traceability.
Perform Clean-In-Place (CIP) cycles and manual sanitation tasks on kettles, lines and ancillary equipment to meet GMP and HACCP requirements; document sanitation results and coordinate with QA for verification.
Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), allergen control procedures and HACCP-based controls to prevent cross-contamination and ensure finished product safety and compliance with label claims.
Maintain accurate production and quality documentation including batch records, yield reports, waste logs, metal-detection checklists and corrective action entries in manufacturing execution systems (MES) or paper records.
Monitor and adjust process parameters (cook time, vacuum level, agitation speed, cooling rates) to maintain target texture and shelf life while minimizing breakdowns and rework.
Respond quickly to equipment alarms, line jams, under/overfills and packaging defects; perform first-level troubleshooting and escalate mechanical issues to maintenance when necessary.
Inspect incoming raw materials (fruit, sugar, pectin, citric acid) for quality, correct lot codes and FIFO rotation; quarantine suspect materials and communicate with Purchasing/QA.
Ensure correct labeling, best-before dating, and lot coding are applied on jars, lids and secondary packaging to preserve traceability and retail compliance.
Execute product changeovers with minimal downtime by following standardized checklists, sequencing tasks and coordinating with packaging and logistics teams.
Conduct routine preventive maintenance tasks as required by operator checklists (lubrication points, belt tension, pump seals inspections) to reduce unplanned downtime.
Coordinate with Quality Assurance on non-conforming product, sensory deviations, micro results or customer complaints and implement containment and corrective action as directed.
Optimize production yield and reduce waste by monitoring fill accuracy, minimizing overfills/underfills, and reporting process improvement opportunities to supervisors.
Support inventory control by accurately reporting container, lid and raw-material usage and by staging packaging components as required for scheduled runs.
Train and mentor junior operators and temporary staff on safe operation, sanitation protocols, GMP and line procedures to maintain production continuity.
Maintain a clean, organized and safe work area; adhere to site safety policies, wear required PPE, and participate in daily safety briefings and ongoing training.
Operate ancillary equipment such as conveyors, palletizers, case packers, metal detectors and shrink tunnels as required to complete packaging and dispatch tasks.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives (5S, Kaizen, root cause analysis) to increase throughput, improve quality, and reduce costs.
Perform allergen-control procedures between product families, including validated sanitation and documentation, to prevent cross-contact and ensure compliance with label claims.
Assist in scale-up or new-product trials by collecting process data, providing operator feedback, and supporting trial runs to achieve commercial readiness.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to support equipment upgrades, validate new machines and provide operator insights during commissioning.
Support raw-material reconciliation and inventory audits to ensure accurate stock levels and reporting for production planning.
Assist Quality Assurance during internal audits, third-party inspections and customer audits by providing production records and demonstrating line procedures.
Participate in continuous training and development programs to broaden skillsets (PLC basics, automated control systems, sensory evaluation).
Provide hands-on support during peak periods, special projects or product launches, including weekend/shift flexibility when required.
Contribute operator-level recommendations for SOP updates, process tolerances and operating windows to improve robustness and reproducibility.
Help coordinate outbound pallet staging and documentation for finished goods to ensure on-time shipment and correct order fulfillment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Machine operation: experience running and changing over automated jam/jelly filling lines, mixers, cookers and conveyors.
Food safety systems: working knowledge of HACCP, GMP, FSMA principles and allergen-control programs.
Process monitoring: capable of performing and interpreting Brix measurements, pH testing, temperature logs and viscosity assessments.
Sanitation & CIP: ability to execute Clean-In-Place cycles and manual clean-downs while completing sanitation records.
Basic mechanical aptitude: perform routine operator maintenance (belt adjustments, pump checks, seal swaps) and first-level troubleshooting.
PLC / HMI familiarity: interact with touchscreen controls, alarms, and basic recipe selection on PLC-driven equipment.
Batch recordkeeping: accurate completion of batch tickets, yield calculations, waste logs and traceability documentation (paper or digital MES).
Quality control support: recognize visual, organoleptic and packaging defects and follow containment procedures.
Packaging operation: operate case packers, cappers, labelers and palletizers; ensure proper labeling and lot coding.
Forklift awareness / certification (preferred): collaborate with warehouse for material staging and finished-goods handling.
Basic math and measurement skills: ability to calculate yields, adjust recipes and convert units during minor recipe modifications.
Understanding of sanitation chemicals and safe handling procedures; follow SDS and PPE requirements.

Soft Skills

Attention to detail: consistent accuracy in weights, fill volumes, and batch documentation.
Problem solving: calm, practical approach to diagnosing and resolving process and packaging interruptions.
Communication: clear, timely communication with QA, maintenance, supervisors and team members.
Teamwork: collaborative attitude on a fast-paced production floor with multiple stakeholders.
Time management: plan and prioritize tasks to meet tight production schedules and reduce downtime.
Adaptability: comfortable with shift changes, product changeovers and evolving production priorities.
Continuous improvement mindset: identify inefficiencies and propose practical improvements to processes and yields.
Reliability and accountability: dependable attendance, adherence to SOPs and ownership of assigned runs.
Training ability: coach new or temporary staff with patience and clarity to ensure SOP compliance.
Safety-first mindset: proactive about hazard recognition and following and promoting site safety rules.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED).

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate or vocational training in food technology, mechanical/electrical trades or manufacturing operations.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science / Food Technology
Mechanical or Electrical Technology
Industrial Manufacturing / Process Technology
Culinary Arts (manufacturing-focused)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of experience in food production or manufacturing, ideally in jam/fruit processing, filling, or similar viscous-product lines.

Preferred:

2+ years operating filling lines and performing CIP in a regulated food environment with demonstrated HACCP/GMP compliance.
Experience working with automated filling machines, metal detectors, and HMI/PLC controls.
Prior exposure to QA sampling programs, batch record systems and allergen control programs.

Certifications that improve candidacy: Food Handler / ServSafe, HACCP certification, forklift license, basic PLC training or industrial maintenance coursework.