Packaging and filling machine operator

Packaging and filling machine operators tend machines for preparing and packing food products in various packaging containers such as jars, cartons, cans, and others.

The following job titles also refer to packaging and filling machine operator:

packaging and filling operator
packaging and filling operative
packaging and filling worker
packaging and filling machine worker

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a packaging and filling machine 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.

Packaging and filling machine operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These skills are necessary for the role of packaging and filling machine operator.

• Tend packaging machines: Tend packaging machines such as filling, labelling, and sealing machines. Stock and sort products to be processed according to specifications. Replenish packaging supplies as required, such as boxes, cartons, wrapping paper, plastic sheet, glue, ink, or labels.
• Monitor machine operations: Observe machine operations and evaluate product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
• Ensure quality control in packaging: Implement and monitor activities so that all requirements of packing procedures and packing standards are met at all times.
• 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).
• Check quality of products on the production line: Check products for quality on the production line and remove defective items before and after packaging.
• 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.
• Work in conveyor belts in food manufacturing: Work in rotating conveyor belt systems in food manufacturing.
• 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.
• Follow given instructions: Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
• 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).
• Dispose non-food waste within the food industry: Dispose non-food waste within the food industry applying environmentally accepted procedures to dispose it.
• Operate weighing machine: Work with a weighing machine to measure raw, half-finished and finished products.
• Identify the factors causing changes in food during storage: recognize the most relevant factors (chemical, physical, environmental etc) that can alter the food during its storage
• Operate package processing equipment: Operate electric package processing equipment and control systems.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of packaging and filling machine operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Health, safety and hygiene legislation: The set of health, safety and hygiene standards and items of legislation applicable in a specific sector.
• 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.

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

• Operate automated process control: Operate process control or automation system (PAS) used to control a production process automatically.
• Label foodstuffs: Uses adequate equipment to place label on food goods.
• Monitor packaging operations: Observe and supervise the packaging operations undertaken by the workers for compliance to production requirements. Check products for proper packaging such as labelling and date coding in order to ensure appropriate and safe transportation.
• Handle chemicals for clean in place: Manage suitable quantities and types of cleaning chemicals (CIP) needed in the process of food and beverage production.
• Ensure correct goods labelling: Ensure that goods are labeled with all necessary labeling information (e.g. legal, technological, hazardous and others) regarding the product. Ensure that labels respects the legal requirements and adhere to regulations.
• 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.
• Comply with regulations related to export in different countries: Check that the labels of products and the packaging are compliant with different regulations in the countries where they are exported.
• 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.
• 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.

8183 – Packing, bottling and labelling machine operators

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References

1. Packaging and filling machine operator – ESCO