Raw material reception operator

Raw material reception operators operate and maintain tools and equipment to ensure that qualitative and quantitative requirements in the reception of the raw material are met. They use equipment to evaluate products such as grains, potatoes, cassava root, etc. They store and distribute products to the different processing factory units.

The following job titles also refer to raw material reception operator:

raw materials reception operative
raw materials reception worker
raw materials worker
raw material processing operator

A high school diploma or equivalent is generally the minimum required to work as a raw material reception 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.

Raw material reception operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to raw material reception operator.

flour purifier operator
bulk filler
milk reception operator
kettle tender
starch converting operator

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

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

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of raw material reception operator.

• 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 are necessary for the role of raw material reception operator.

• Handle bulk transfer of raw material: Transfer dry raw materials using suitable mechanical handling systems like screw feeders, or using gravity or pneumatic means.
• Inspect silo systems: Inspect silo systems to minimise any harmful emissions during their use.
• Ensure sanitation: Keep workspaces and equipment free from dirt, infection, and disease by removing waste, trash and providing for appropriate cleaning.
• Check the quality of raw materials at reception: Check the quality of raw materials by assessing its taste, smell, colour, or any other characteristic depending on the product.
• Store raw food materials: Keep in reserve raw materials and other food supplies, following stock control procedures.
• Manage food manufacturing laboratory: Manage laboratory activities in the plant or factory and using the data to monitor the quality of manufactured products.
• 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.
• Manage delivery of raw materials: Manage reception of raw materials. Receive raw materials from the suppliers. Check for quality and accuracy and move into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the production department.
• Weigh raw materials at reception: Perform weighing procedures to estimate the quantity of the raw materials. Record the weight accurately and care for minimising any losses of raw materials.
• Keep task records: Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
• Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• 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).
• Follow evaluation procedures of materials at reception: Oversee the delivery of incoming materials and follow a detailed procedure to evaluate and assess their characteristics accordingly.
• 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.
• Avoid backlogs in receiving raw materials: Avoid backlogs in the procurement, receiving, production and bulk outloading to maintain a fluent receiving point of raw materials.
• 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.
• Secure goods according to work orders: Fasten bands around stacks or articles, prior to shipment or storage.
• 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).
• Implement efficiency plans for logistics operations: Implement efficiency plans developed by managers in facilities. Use techniques, resources, and training in order to improve workplace efficiency.
• 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.
• Inspect insects in whole grain: Inspect loads of unprocessed grain to detect harmful insects, like grain beetles.
• 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.
• Analyse characteristics of food products at reception: Analyse characteristics, composition, and other properties of food products at reception.
• Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of raw material reception operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• 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.
• Temperature scales: Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales.
• Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
• Malting process: The malting process consists of soaking cereal grains, usually barley, and then halting further germination by kilning.
• Effects of pesticides in food raw materials: Different types of pesticides used for food raw materials to control proper use of those substances preserving main characteristics of products.

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

• 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.
• Keep machines oiled for steady functioning: Oil or grease the parts of the machines and equipment that need to be lubricated. Follow safety procedures to do so.
• Analyse supply chain strategies: Examine an organisation’s planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products, service quality and reduce costs.
• 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.
• Assess cereal quality for brewing: Assessing barley variety, germination potential, moisture content, nitrogen content, and screening for grain size.
• Follow hygienic procedures during food processing: Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.
• Grade wheat for milling: Grading wheat to be milled based on several factors, the most important of which is the protein content. The wheat is stored in silos with wheat of the same analytical parameters until needed for milling.
• 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.
• 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.

4321 – Stock clerks

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References

1. Raw material reception operator – ESCO