Profession food production operator

Food production operators supply and perform one or more tasks in different stages of the food production process. They perform manufacturing operations and processes to foods and beverages, perform packaging, operate machines manually or automatically, follow predetermined procedures, and take food safety regulations on board.

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Personality Type

  • Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

  • Food safety principles

    Scientific background of food safety which includes preparation, handling, and storage of food to minimise the risk of foodborne illness and other health hazards.

Skills

  • Ensure sanitation

    Keep workspaces and equipment free from dirt, infection, and disease by removing waste, trash and providing for appropriate cleaning.

  • Monitor the production line

    Monitor the production line for problems such as pile-ups and jams.

  • Administer ingredients in food production

    Ngredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.

  • Apply HACCP

    Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

  • Carry out checks of production plant equipment

    Carry out checks of the machinery and equipment used in the production plant. Ensure that the machinery is working properly, set machines before usage, and assure continuous operability of the equipment.

  • Clean food and beverage machinery

    Clean machinery used for food or beverage production processes. Prepare the appropriate solutions for cleaning. Prepare all parts and assure that they are clean enough to avoid deviation or errors in the production process.

  • Ensure refrigeration of food in the supply chain

    Apply different procedures to maintain the chain of temperature of foodstuffs and products in each stage of the production and supply chain.

  • Support management of raw materials

    Support management of raw materials and plants required by the department for production. Oversee the needs for material and notify when stock levels reach re-order levels.

  • Lift heavy weights

    Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.

  • Keep inventory of goods in production

    Keep inventory of goods whether they are goods in the front end (i.e. raw materials), intermediate, or back end (i.e. finished products). Count goods and store them for the following production and distribution activities.

  • Follow production schedule

    Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.

  • Apply GMP

    Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

  • Be at ease in unsafe environments

    Be at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.

  • Disassemble equipment

    Disassembles equipment using hand tools in order to clean equipments and to perform regular operational maintenance.

  • Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

    Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

  • Monitor ingredient storage

    Monitor ingredient storage and expiry dates via weekly reporting leading to good stock rotation and reduction of waste.

  • Ensure health, safety and security measures

    Take responsibility for health, safety and security measures in the workplace including posture the body well, safely operate tools and machinery, and wear the right clothes and protection for the climate. Apply health and safety standards. Adhere strictly to the site safety rules and systems and equipment operational procedures.

Optional knowledge and skills

check the quality of raw materials at reception monitor milled food products work according to recipe follow hygienic procedures during food processing cleaning of reusable packaging operate automated process control check bottles for packaging follow evaluation procedures of materials at reception measure sugar refinement dispose non-food waste within the food industry monitor filling machines dispose food waste execute chilling processes to food products label samples examine production samples health, safety and hygiene legislation food storage monitor almond blanching process food canning production line check quality of products on the production line handle kitchen equipment according to the requirements monitor oil blending process apply preservation treatments condiment manufacturing processes adjust drying process to goods milk production process apply extruding techniques tend packaging machines operate forklift mould chocolate rectify spirits monitor coating specifications mitigate waste of resources perform carbonation processes conduct cleaning in place administer materials to tea bag machines fermentation processes of food hydrogenation processes for edible oils apply different dehydration processes of fruits and vegetables ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food production set up equipment for food production tend bottle-washing machine perform cleaning duties weigh materials modern brewing systems monitor sugar uniformity ensure correct goods labelling food homogenisation centrifugal force

Common job titles

  • Production associate - 2nd and 3rd shift
  • Plant production operator (midland)
  • Production operator
  • Production packager
  • Dairy plant production worker
  • Production operator -2nd shift-md
  • Production operator 2