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Machine operators, food and beverage processing

OaSIS code 94140.02

Machine operators, food and beverage operate single-function machines to process and package food and beverage products.

Overview

Also known as

  • Bakery machine operator - food and beverage processing
  • Dry foods mixer operator
  • Pasteurizer operator - food and beverage processing

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Set up and adjust food or beverage processing and packaging machines
  • Operate single-function machines to grind, extract, mix, blend, dry, freeze, cook or otherwise process food or beverage products
  • Operate single-function machines to box, can or otherwise package food or beverage products
  • Check products to ensure conformance to company standards and clear machine blockages as required
  • Record production information such as quantity, weight, size, date and type of products packaged
  • Perform corrective machine adjustments, clean machines and immediate work areas.

Additional information

  • Machine operators may progress to process control operation or supervisory positions in food and beverage processing with experience.
  • There is mobility among machine operators within the food and beverage processing industry.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale (65202)
  • Bakers (63202)
  • Supervisors, food and beverage processing (92012)
  • Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (94141)
  • Fish and seafood plant workers (94142)
  • Testers and graders, food and beverage processing (94143)
  • Labourers in food and beverage processing (95106)
  • Labourers in fish and seafood processing (95107)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

94 – Machine operators, assemblers and inspectors in processing, manufacturing and printing

Sub-major group

941 – Processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production workers

Minor group

9414 – Machine operators and related workers in food, beverage and associated products processing

Unit group

94140 – Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing

Occupational profile

94140.02 – Machine operators, food and beverage processing

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Handling and Moving Objects
3 - Moderate Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
1 - Very low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
2 - Minimally close (Less than 100 ft.)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
1 - Minimally important
Frequency
2 - Once a month or more but not every week

Workplaces/employers

  • Bakeries
  • Brewing companies
  • Dairies
  • Flour mills
  • Food and beverage processing establishments
  • Fruit and vegetable processing plants
  • Meat plants
  • Sugar refineries

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level
Auditory Attention
3 - Moderate Level
Colour Perception
3 - Moderate Level
Control of Settings
3 - Moderate Level
Depth Perception
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Troubleshooting
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Collaboration
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important
Stress Tolerance
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RCI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school may be required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Experience as a labourer in food or beverage processing may be required for machine operators.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Electrical and Electronics
1 - Basic Level
Hospitality
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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