Agricultural Products Processing Machine Operator

Agricultural products processing machine operators operate a variety of machines depending on the type of product being processed, the methods used and the size of the organization and plant.

In general, agricultural products processing machine operators:

• operate single function and multi-function processing machines
• observe gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to ensure correct processing
• make adjustments as required
• complete process control forms to document line activity
• complete food safety checks
• sanitize machinery and equipment before and after use
• maintain shift logs of production and other data
• prepare products for wholesale or retail distribution
• check product quality and adjust as necessary.

Depending on the type of operation, they also may:

• set up or adjust machines for specific processing operations
• package and label products for sale
• record production information
• serve customers
• load transport trucks.

Dairy plant machine operators run machines that pasteurize milk or process and package dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, butter, non-fat dry milk and condensed milk.

Fruit and vegetable machine operators operate machines that clean, wash, sort, trim, peel and cut fruit and vegetables. They also may operate machines that process fruit and vegetables and package products for sale.

Grain processing machine operators process grain into animal feed or food products such as flour, cereal, pasta, cooking oil, margarine or beer. They also may process peas, beans, chickpeas and mustard.

Working conditions for agricultural products processing machine operators vary. Most production line work is performed indoors in warm, sanitary and well-ventilated conditions. Some agricultural products processing machine operators work in cold storage or freezing departments; in grain processing plants which can be dusty, near noisy machinery; or near cooking or sanitizing operations that generate heat and create humid surroundings. In some settings, machine operators work beside one another in relatively small spaces.

Production line processing often is highly mechanized and automated. Machine operators must follow safe work practices and may be required to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms.

Some plants operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week so employees work rotating shifts.

Machine operators need the following characteristics:

• good health and stamina
• a high degree of co-ordination and manual dexterity
• the ability to work steadily and swiftly
• the ability to perform routine tasks yet remain alert and flexible
• the ability to read and understand written specifications and instructions, and adapt to new technologies
• the mechanical aptitude required to maintain equipment and troubleshoot problems.

They should enjoy operating and controlling equipment, having clear rules and organized methods for their work, and adjusting machines and process variables such as cooking times and temperatures.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Agricultural products processing machine operators are employed by food and beverage processing plants such as:

• bakeries
• breweries
• dairies
• flour mills
• fruit and vegetable processing plants
• meat plants
• sugar refineries
• seed plants and feedmills.

New employees usually start as general plant help and may be rotated throughout the plant to gain overall exposure to the plant's operation. Advancement from general plant help to skilled positions requires specific on-the-job training. Employees skilled in a specific production process may advance to positions such as lead hand or shift supervisor.

Agricultural products processing machine operators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 9461: Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the Manufacturing (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the Manufacturing industry)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 3,300 Albertans are employed in the Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.8% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 59 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As agricultural products processing machine operators form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for agricultural products processing machine operators.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry website: www.agric.gov.ab.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.