Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Juice Production Operator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Juice Production Operator, you are the hands-on expert at the heart of our production line. You will be responsible for transforming raw ingredients into high-quality, delicious juice products that our customers love. This role involves the complete production cycle, from raw material handling and precise batching to operating sophisticated pasteurization and filling equipment. Your meticulous attention to detail and commitment to safety and quality standards are paramount to our success. You are not just running a machine; you are a craftsperson ensuring every bottle meets our brand's promise of excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Production Line Worker or Packer
Warehouse Associate in a food-grade facility
General Laborer with an interest in manufacturing

Advancement To:

Senior Production Operator or Lead Hand
Production Shift Supervisor
Quality Assurance (QA) Technician

Lateral Moves:

Maintenance Technician (with additional training)
Logistics or Inventory Control Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate, monitor, and adjust various pieces of production machinery, including blenders, pasteurizers, fillers, cappers, and labelers, to ensure continuous and efficient operation.
Execute the precise batching and mixing of juice ingredients according to detailed formulations and recipes to guarantee product consistency and quality.
Perform comprehensive start-up, shut-down, and changeover procedures for the production line in a timely and efficient manner to minimize downtime.
Conduct regular in-process quality control checks, such as testing brix, pH, and acidity, and collect samples for laboratory analysis to ensure products meet all specifications.
Meticulously complete and maintain accurate production logs, quality assurance records, and batch sheets, documenting all critical production data and any deviations.
Execute thorough Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Sanitize-in-Place (SIP) procedures on all equipment, tanks, and lines to maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards.
Proactively monitor equipment performance, identify potential mechanical issues, and perform basic troubleshooting to resolve minor malfunctions and prevent extended stoppages.
Manage the flow of raw materials from the warehouse to the production line and ensure the proper staging of ingredients and packaging supplies for upcoming runs.
Adhere strictly to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocols, and company safety policies.
Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment to safely transport raw materials, ingredients, and finished goods throughout the facility.
Manually stack and palletize finished products, ensuring pallets are stable, correctly labeled, and prepared for warehouse storage or shipment.
Collaborate effectively with maintenance personnel during scheduled preventative maintenance and assist in addressing more complex equipment breakdowns.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area by following 5S principles and participating in daily housekeeping routines.
Monitor and manage critical control points (CCPs) on the production line, taking immediate corrective action if any process deviates from its set limits.
Weigh, measure, and verify all ingredients before they are added to a batch, cross-referencing with the production order to prevent errors.
Understand and manage the pasteurization process (HTST - High Temperature Short Time), ensuring proper temperatures and flow rates are maintained for food safety.
Assist in the training and onboarding of new production operators, sharing knowledge of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices.
Participate actively in team meetings to discuss production goals, challenges, and opportunities for continuous improvement on the plant floor.
Report any food safety concerns, quality issues, or unsafe conditions immediately to the Shift Supervisor or Quality Assurance department.
Manage rework or disposition of non-conforming products according to established company procedures to minimize waste.
Ensure all packaging, caps, and labels correspond to the specific product being run to prevent mislabeling and ensure product integrity.

Secondary Functions

Participate in continuous improvement projects and Kaizen events aimed at enhancing efficiency, reducing waste, and improving safety.
Assist the inventory control team with periodic cycle counts of raw materials and packaging supplies.
Support the R&D team during trial runs of new products or processes by providing operational feedback.
Contribute to the development and updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for production tasks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Machine Operation: Proven experience operating and adjusting industrial food processing equipment (e.g., fillers, blenders, pasteurizers).
Food Safety Knowledge: Strong understanding of GMP, HACCP, and other food safety regulations.
CIP/SIP Systems: Hands-on experience executing Clean-in-Place and sanitation protocols.
Basic Mechanical Aptitude: Ability to perform minor troubleshooting and adjustments on machinery.
Quality Control Testing: Skill in using basic lab equipment to test product attributes like brix, pH, and viscosity.
Forklift Operation: Licensed or able to be certified to operate a forklift and other material handling equipment.
Mathematical Skills: Competency in basic math, including measurements, fractions, and conversions, for accurate batching.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous in following recipes, procedures, and quality standards to prevent errors.
Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically to identify the root cause of a production issue and implement a solution.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Works effectively with colleagues, supervisors, and other departments to achieve shared goals.
Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Communication: Clear and concise communication skills for reporting issues and collaborating with the team.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to adapt to changing production schedules, priorities, and processes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational or Technical School certificate in a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Manufacturing Technology
Food Science
Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred: 2+ years of direct experience as an operator in a food, beverage, or dairy production facility. Specific experience with liquid blending, pasteurization, and aseptic filling is highly desirable.