Beverage filtration technician

Beverage filtration technicians operate machines that clarify beverages prior to filtering. For the purpose, they transfer fermented beverages from settling casks into clarifying tanks and spreads chemicals over the surface of beverages to aid their clarification. Then, they pump beverages to transfer them to filtering tanks.

The following job titles also refer to beverage filtration technician:

drinks filtration worker
beverage filtration expert
drink filter operator
beverage filtration worker

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a beverage filtration technician.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Beverage filtration technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to beverage filtration technician.

yeast distiller
distillery worker
carbonation operator
cider fermentation operator
bulk filler

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of beverage filtration technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of beverage filtration technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

green coffee coordinator
malt house supervisor
distillery supervisor
animal feed supervisor
water treatment systems operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of beverage filtration technician.

• Beverages filtration processes: Safe and economic method for removing impurities from food products and extending its shelf life. Importance of contamination control and how it contributes to superior quality product, a significant reduction of waste and a minimum of product spoilage.
• Pathogenic microorganisms in food: The identification and characteristics of pathogenic micro-organisms in food and the adequate prevention methods to inhibit its reproduction in food materials.
• Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
• Processes of foods and beverages manufacturing: Raw materials and production processes for getting finished food products. Importance of quality control and other techniques for the food and beverage industry.

These skills are necessary for the role of beverage filtration technician.

• Operate pumping equipment: Operate pumping equipment; oversee gas and oil transport from wellheads to refineries or storage facilities.
• Filter liquids: Separated solids that will not readily sediment from their suspending liquid by passing the mixture through filters.
• Operate grain cleaning machine: Start automatic cleaning machine that blows as well as sifts foreign particles, like dirt, twigs, and also stones from whole grain conveys clean grain to storage tank for further processing.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• 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.
• Apply HACCP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Measure pH: Measuring pH which is a measure of acidity or alkalinity.
• Perform carbonation processes: Perform carbonation processes which refer to the infusion of carbon dioxide under high pressure in order to obtain effervescent beverages such as sodas, sparkling wines, and beverages.
• Manage carbonation levels: Managing temperature and pressure as to reach set carbonation levels in beverages.
• Adhere to organisational guidelines: Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• 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.
• Apply GMP: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• 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.
• Administer chemicals for beverage clarification: Add chemical coagulants to a beverage and alcoholic drinks to destabilise colloids and other particles causing them to aggregate.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of beverage filtration technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Temperature scales: Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales.
• Modern brewing systems: The most updated systems and best available techniques in the brewing industry.
• Ingredients for beer production: Basic ingredients of beer, which consist of water, a starch source such as malted barley, brewer’s yeast to produce the fermentation and a flavouring such as hops.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of beverage filtration technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Measure density of liquids: Measuring the density of liquids, including oils, using instruments such as hygrometers, or oscillating tubes.
• Manage corrective actions: Implementing corrective action and continuous improvement plans from internal and third party audits to meet food safety and quality performance indicators with adherance to agreed timescales.
• Sterilise fermentation tanks: Sterilise workspaces and equipment using hoses, scrapers, brushes, or chemical solutions.
• Communicate commercial and technical issues in foreign languages: Speak one or more foreign languages in order to communicate commercial and technical issues with various suppliers and clients.
• Apply preservation treatments: Apply common treatments to preserve the characteristics of food products taking care of their appearance, smell and taste.
• Assist in the development of standard operating procedures in the food chain: Assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the food chain by working with line operators. Understand current operating procedures and identify best techniques. Help document new procedures and update existing ones.
• Liaise with colleagues: Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.
• Monitor centrifugal separators: Operating and monitoring centrifugal separators.
• Monitor temperature in manufacturing process of food and beverages: Monitor and control required temperatures in the different phases of production until the product reaches suitable properties according to specifications.
• Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
• Monitor filling machines: Monitoring filling, weighting, and packing machines.
• Work in a food processing team: Collaborate in a team with other food processing professionals in service of the food and beverages industry.
• Liaise with managers: Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation in food production: Make sure to comply with environmental legislation in food production. Understand the legislation related to environmental matters in food manufacturing and apply it in practice.
• Interpret data in food manufacturing: Interpret data from different sources, like market data, scientific papers, and customers requirements in order to research development and innovation in food sector.
• Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
• Manage packaging development cycle from concept to launch: Manage the packaging development cycle from concept to launch in order to ensure compliance with financial, operative, and commercial variables.

8160 – Food and related products machine operators

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References

1. Beverage filtration technician – ESCO