Blending plant operator

Blending plant operators control equipment to weigh and mix vegetable oils used in products such as salad oil and margarines. They tend pump oils to perform the blending according to specific formulas. They draw off samples of mixed oil to examine its texture and colour and based on that make adjustments to blending processes.

The following job titles also refer to blending plant operator:

blending plant worker
blending operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a blending plant operator.

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.

Blending plant operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to blending plant operator.

blender operator
oilseed presser
hydrogenation machine operator
oil mill operator
clarifier

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

green coffee coordinator
water treatment systems operator
green coffee buyer
food technician
food analyst

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of blending plant operator.

• Origin of dietary fats and oils: The distinction between dietary fats that come fromanimals and oils derived from vegetables.
• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

These skills are necessary for the role of blending plant operator.

• Check sensorial parameters of oils and fats: Check sensorial parameters of olive oils, seed oils and edible fats such as taste, smell and touch.
• Winterise fats: Perform winterising on fats which consists in removing fatty stearin.
• Tend equipment for oil extraction: Tend equipment that strains stearin from vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil to produce salad oil. Chill the oil in a chilling tank for the specified time to solidify stearin. Use air pressure to force oil through filters and trap suspended stearin.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• 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).
• Tend mixing oil machine: Use machines to weigh and mix vegetable oils for products, such as salad oils, shortening and margarine, according to formula.
• Administer ingredients in food production: Ingredients to be added and the required amounts according to the recipe and the way those ingredients are to be administered.
• 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.
• Develop work programmes: Develop annual work programs for resource usage which will benefit the environment and forest production.
• Perform preliminary operations for oil extraction: Perform preliminary operations to raw materials such as cracking, shelling and dehulling before the oil extraction.
• Pump products: Operate pumping machines according to specific procedures and depending on the kind of product. Ensure correct quantities and adequate feeding for the process.
• Refine edible oils: Refine edible oils to make them suitable for human consumption. Remove impurities and toxic substances performing processes such as bleaching, deodorisation and cooling.
• 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).
• Assess quality characteristics of food products: Assess quality characteristics of food products in terms of the main properties (e.g. physical, sensorial, chemical, technological, etc.) for raw materials, half-finished products, as well as finish products.
• Use tools for construction and repair: Construct and repair ships and equipment using hand tools, machine tools, and measuring instruments. Safely carry out emergency or temporary repairs. Take measures to ensure a safe working environment. Use various types of sealants and packaging.
• Monitor oil blending process: Monitor the blending process of oil. Make adjustments to blending process according to results of tests.
• Maintain tanks: Clean and keep in adequate condition tanks, basins, and filter beds using hand tools and power tools.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of blending plant operator. 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.
• Set up equipment for food production: Set up machinery and equipment for food production. Make sure that controls, settings, and input requirements are according to the required standards.
• Work independently in service of a food production process: Work individually as an important element in service of a food production process. This function is executed individually with little or no supervision or collaboration with colleagues.
• Manage carbonation levels: Managing temperature and pressure as to reach set carbonation levels in beverages.
• Dispose food waste: Dispose or collect food waste with the purpose of recycling or throwing away from the production process. Follow established procedures for their disposal taking care of the environment and the safety matters according to legislations.
• Exert quality control to processing food: Ensure the quality of all factors involved in a food production process.
• 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.
• Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.

8160 – Food and related products machine operators

References

1. Blending plant operator – ESCO