Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Juice Processor

🎯 Role Definition

As a Juice Processor, you are the cornerstone of our production operations, entrusted with the critical task of transforming raw, fresh ingredients into high-quality, safe, and delicious beverage products. This role is hands-on and requires a meticulous individual who can operate and maintain sophisticated processing equipment, strictly adhere to food safety protocols (like HACCP and GMP), and ensure that every bottle leaving our facility meets our unwavering standards of excellence. You will be a vital member of a dynamic team, contributing directly to our success through a commitment to efficiency, quality, and innovation in the fast-paced food and beverage industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Line Worker
Warehouse Associate
Food Service Worker or Prep Cook

Advancement To:

Lead Production Operator / Team Lead
Production Supervisor
Quality Control (QC) Technician

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician
Sanitation Supervisor
Logistics & Inventory Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor, and adjust advanced processing equipment, including industrial blenders, presses, pasteurizers, homogenizers, and separators, to ensure optimal performance and product integrity.
Accurately weigh, measure, and mix raw ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, concentrates, and additives according to precise batch formulations and production schedules.
Execute and document comprehensive Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Clean-out-of-Place (COP) sanitation procedures for all processing machinery, tanks, and transfer lines to maintain a sterile production environment.
Conduct routine in-process quality control checks, including Brix, pH, temperature, and viscosity tests, to ensure the product meets all specifications throughout the production cycle.
Manage the operation of automated bottling, capping, and labeling lines, performing troubleshooting and minor adjustments to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.
Maintain meticulous and accurate documentation for all production activities, including batch records, sanitation logs, quality checks, and inventory movements, ensuring full traceability.
Safely operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, to transport raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods throughout the facility.
Monitor critical control points (CCPs) as defined by the company's HACCP plan to proactively prevent food safety hazards.
Perform basic preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on production equipment to identify and resolve minor mechanical issues, escalating complex problems to the maintenance team.
Adhere strictly to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), safety guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure personal and team safety.
Manage the flow of juice from processing tanks to the filling machines, ensuring a continuous and smooth operation without compromising quality.
Collect and prepare product samples for the Quality Assurance laboratory for microbial and analytical testing.
Oversee the pasteurization process, ensuring correct time and temperature parameters are met to guarantee product safety and shelf stability.
Ensure all packaging materials, including bottles, caps, and labels, are correct for the specific product run and meet quality standards before use.
Rotate raw material and finished product stock using the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) principle to ensure freshness and minimize waste.
Complete all required end-of-shift changeover and shutdown procedures, including equipment cleaning and area sanitation, to prepare for the next production run.
Monitor and manage inventory levels of ingredients and additives, communicating any shortages to the supply chain or supervisory staff in a timely manner.
Participate actively in team meetings to discuss production goals, challenges, and opportunities for process improvement.
Assist in investigating and resolving any production deviations or non-conformances, contributing to root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
Take ownership of work area cleanliness and organization, upholding 5S principles to ensure a safe and efficient environment.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the training, onboarding, and mentoring of new production team members on equipment operation and safety protocols.
Participate in continuous improvement projects and Kaizen events aimed at enhancing production efficiency, reducing waste, and improving safety.
Support the Research & Development department by assisting with pilot runs and sensory testing of new product formulations and processes.
Collaborate with the warehouse team to ensure the timely and accurate staging of raw materials and the proper storage of finished goods.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Equipment Operation: Proficiency in operating and troubleshooting food processing equipment (e.g., pasteurizers, fillers, blenders, CIP systems).
Food Safety Knowledge: Strong understanding of HACCP, GMPs, and other food safety regulations.
Quality Control Testing: Ability to perform basic quality tests (pH, Brix, titrations) and accurately record data.
Sanitation Procedures: Experience with industrial cleaning chemicals and Clean-In-Place (CIP) systems.
Batch Record Documentation: Meticulous record-keeping and attention to detail in completing production logs.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Skill in performing minor preventative maintenance and mechanical adjustments.
Forklift Operation: Certification or ability to become certified in operating a forklift and other material handling equipment.
Mathematical Skills: Competency in basic math, including measurements, conversions, and calculating yields.
Computer Literacy: Ability to use basic computer software for data entry and reviewing production schedules.
Following SOPs: Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Critical for ensuring product quality, safety, and accurate documentation.
Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically and react quickly to issues on the production line.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Capable of working effectively within a diverse team to achieve common goals.
Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, punctual, and committed to performing tasks to the best of one's ability.
Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing production priorities and shifts.
Communication Skills: Ability to clearly communicate issues and information to supervisors and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Associate's Degree or a technical certificate in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Food Science
Manufacturing Technology
Biology or Chemistry

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of hands-on experience in a food manufacturing, beverage production, dairy, or similar regulated production environment.

Preferred:

Prior experience in a juice or liquid filling facility is highly desirable.
Forklift operator certification is a strong plus.