Production Operator Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the production operator job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the production operator role by most employers/recruiters.

What Does a Production Operator Do?

Production operators are responsible for setting up and controlling various kinds of machinery and equipment involved in the production process of commercial items.

According to Seek, production operators work in manufacturing or processing plants where part of their duties involves setting up, repairing, and ensuring that machines and equipment used in production lines are maintained.

Such highly skilled professionals work in different industries, starting from food and beverage production to automotive and electronics assembly.

Production operators usually report directly to a production supervisor or a line manager.

Typically, they ensure smooth functioning of companies’ production lines to the best of their ability in respect of product quality and output.

This could be within factories, plants, or other such industrial facilities, sometimes within larger teams of operators and technicians.

The requirements in education or training for a production operator vary by the industry and even by the particular job.

Some may require only a high school diploma or its equivalent, while others may prefer persons who have some vocational training or a two-year associate in a field of relevance.

Many employers provide on-job training for new employees where they guide them in learning specific production processes and equipment.

As a core function, the production operator monitors the workings of production machinery, following schedules and work orders to ensure the operation runs without hitches.

This ensures the quality of the product, with inspections and product testing, and maintains a clean and safe environment for all employees.

The production operator job description also involves troubleshooting minor equipment issues, recording of production data, and maintaining accurate logs.

It also entails setting up equipment, facilitating changeovers, and ensuring continuous improvement.

Other duties that production operators perform include training new team members, working with the maintenance crew on equipment repairs, and following safety protocols in daily activities, as well as recognizing potential hazards that would need reporting.

The importance of a production operator varies from country to country, but on the whole, it is immensely valuable in countries where manufacturing is the key sector.

They are among the major professions in countries like China, Germany, and the USA, as they contribute largely to economic growth and national competitiveness.

Employers usually look for production operators with a mix of technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team for hiring.

Moreover, the job of a worker is physically demanding, for one has to stand for many hours while working and possibly lift heavy materials.

Production operators must adhere to various national and local safety standards.

For instance, in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets and enforces general workplace safety regulations that apply within manufacturing settings.

Depending on the nature of the industry in which production operators work, several other certifications or licenses may be needed.

Workers involved in food production may be required to attend a food safety certification program.

Production Operator Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The production operator job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Operate and monitor production equipment, tools, and machine following standard operating procedures
• Set up different product lines for running various products at one time, or batches of products
• Inspect raw materials before utilized and finished products before released for sales to ensure quality and consistency of company products
• Adjust machine settings as required to maintain maximum production output without sacrificing End Item Quality
• Follow production schedules and work orders to achieve daily objectives
• Clean work area according to safety and hygiene standards
• Search for minor equipment faults; report major ones to maintenance personnel
• Record production data: output quantities, quality control results, performance of equipment
• Work together with colleagues to ensure smooth workflow and achieve the required production
• Follow all safety measures in place and wearing related personal protective equipment
• Carry out cleaning, lubricating, and general  maintenance of equipment and machines
• Assist in training new operators in the operation of the machinery and in safety procedures
• Participate in team meetings and contribute suggestions for process improvements
• Keep track of raw materials and supplies inventory and inform supervisors of shortages
• Check quality of product at several stages in the process
• Package and label product per specifications
• Operate material handling equipment such as forklift when necessary
• Assist with equipment changeovers between production runs
• Follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all their tasks
• Maintain proper communication with supervisors and co-workers regarding ongoing productions and issues
• Take part in emergency response procedures and safety drills
• Assistance to introduce new production processes or technologies into service
• Observe and report any potential quality concerns or safety hazards to supervisors.

Production Operator Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a production operator or are currently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can apply the above production operator job description sample in creating a compelling Professional Experience for your resume.

You can highlight the production operator duties and responsibilities from the above job description example in your resume’s Professional Experience.

This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful performing the duties of a production operator, which can boost your chances of being hired, especially if the new role that you are seeking requires someone with some production operator work experience.

Production Operator Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Listed below are key skills, knowledge, and abilities that most employers prefer to see in a production operator’s resume, which is helpful in the success of their careers:

• Able to operate and control equipment
• Has basic computer applications skills to enter and interface with equipment
• Possess the skill of production processes and workflow
• Has developed the skill of reading technical documents and work orders
• Ability to adhere to company’s quality control and standards procedures
• Some knowledge of safety protocols and familiarity with the equipment
• Basic mechanical aptitude to perform minor troubleshooting and repairs
• Detail-oriented to assure work is both accurate and correct
• Possess stamina and manual dexterity to perform all physical tasks involved
• Ability to work well and achieve set goals in a fast-paced environment
• Good teamwork and communication skills
• Consistency with respect to attendance and punctuality
• Ability to quickly adjust to new production requirements when necessary
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and industry-specific regulations
• Math: basic calculator use, reading measurements
• Knowledge of inventory control principles
• Continuous improvement methodologies: Six Sigma, Kaizen
• Knowledge of workplace safety/ergonomics and environmental/sustainability awareness in manufacturing.

Production Operator Employment

There are over 744,953 production operators in employment today in the United States, according to Zippia.

Of the production operators, 43 percent are working at companies with more than 10,000 employees, and another 30 percent are in companies sized between 1,000 to 10,000 employees.

Employment by Industry

The top industries that employ production operators in the U.S. include:

• Manufacturing: 27%
• Fortune 500: 18%
• Professional services: 9%
• Automotive: 8%
• Technology: 7%.

The other major industries are as follows: pharmaceuticals, 4 percent; health care and retail, each 4 percent; energy, 4 percent; and lastly, transportation, 3 percent.

Finally, production occupations stand 49 percent more chances of being employed by a public company than by private ownership.

Employment by State

The top States for jobs for production operators in the United States include California and Ohio, with 3,091 and 2,209 employments respectively.

These states have the highest job counts for production operators, indicating significant employment opportunities in this field

Production Operator Salary

According to Salary.com, the average salary of a production operator in the United States was $46,600 in June 2024.

The usual salary range falls between $40,407 and $55,104.

Salary by State

According to Zippia, the top 5 highest paying States for production operators in the U.S. are:

• Massachusetts, $42,873
• Washington, $41,610
• New Hampshire, $41,114
• Hawaii, $41,111
• Minnesota, $40,782

Salary by Industry

The top companies that pay production operators the highest salaries in the U.S. include:

Companies that Pay the Highest Salaries to Production Operators. Data from Zippia

In summary, the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food manufacturing, tend to offer the highest salaries for production operators based on the data provided.

Conclusion

This post contains principal duties, tasks, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications that define a production operator job description.

Looking to kick-start your production operator career or develop a job description for the profile and a tailor-made employee training program for the team?

This article gives you an exhaustive roadmap for achieving success in today’s changing manufacturing landscape.

Continuous learning for both employer and employee would hence be the most important part in this ever-changing industry.

References:

OSHA

Salary Zippia: Employment, Salary