Bulk filler

Bulk fillers perform dumping of food products into barrels, tubs, or containers together with prescribed amounts of preservatives, such as salt, sugar, brine, syrup, or vinegar for the manufacturing of food products.

The following job titles also refer to bulk filler:

bulk operator
bulk worker
bulk filling worker
bulk filling operative

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as bulk filler.

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.

Bulk filler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bulk filler.

extract mixer tester
milk reception operator
yeast distiller
flour purifier operator
cider fermentation operator

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

green coffee coordinator
green coffee buyer
dairy processing technician
animal feed supervisor
malt house supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bulk filler.

• 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.
• Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
• Tube filling systems: Control panels and processes to be controlled and performed by tube filling systems.
• Food storage: The proper conditions and methods to store food to keep it from spoiling, taking into account humidity, light, temperature and other environmental factors.
• Food preservation: Deterioration factors, controlling factors (temperature, additives, humidity, pH, water activity, etc., including packaging) and food processing methods to preserve food products.

These skills are necessary for the role of bulk filler.

• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Apply haccp: Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Apply preservation treatments: Apply common treatments to preserve the characteristics of food products taking care of their appearance, smell and taste.
• Follow hygienic procedures during food processing: Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
• 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.
• 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).
• Monitor filling machines: Monitoring filling, weighting, and packing machines.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

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

• Possess visual literacy: Interpret charts, maps, graphics, and other pictorial presentations used in place of the written word. The graphics used vary from process to process; therefore, the professional must have sufficient knowledge of the field in order to follow and use the information presented.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• 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.
• Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
• 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.

8160 – Food and related products machine operators

References

1. Bulk filler – ESCO