Process Control and Machine Operators in Food and Beverage Processing

(NOC 9461)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Process control and machine operators in this group operate multi-function process control machinery and single-function machines to process and package food and beverage products. They are employed in fruit and vegetable processing plants, dairies, flour mills, bakeries, sugar refineries, meat plants, breweries, and other food and beverage processing establishments.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 40 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 1275 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline slightly over the next few years, which may affect the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Machine Operators in Food, Beverage, and Associated Products Processing most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.

The median employment income for 54% of Machine Operators in Food, Beverage, and Associated Products Processing who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $45,034. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

$11.50

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$22.72

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,252

Minimum

$31,892

Median

$63,392

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$12.00

Minimum

$18.75

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Process control operators perform some or all of the following duties:

Operate multi-function process control machinery through control panels, computer terminals or other control systems to grind, extract, mix, blend, cook or otherwise process food products and to bag, box or otherwise package food products.
Operate multi-function process control machinery to grind, extract, mix, blend, distill, ferment or otherwise process alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages and to bottle, can or otherwise package beverages.
Observe gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and make adjustments to process variables such as cooking times, ingredient inputs, flow rates and temperature settings.
Maintain shift log of production and other data.

Machine operators perform some or all of the following duties:

Set up and adjust processing and packaging machines preparatory to operation.
Operate single-function machines to grind, extract, mix, blend, dry, freeze, cook, or otherwise process food, beverage or associated products.
Operate single-function machines to box, can or otherwise package food, beverage or associated 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

Sample job titles

brewery worker
cheese maker
cider maker
coffee roaster
dairy plant machine operator
fruit and vegetable machine operator
packaging machine operator - food processing
press operator - food and beverage processing
process control operator - food and beverage processing
winemaker - food and beverage processing

Skills

To work in these jobs, you should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

Completion of high school may be required.
On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

Shift work may be typical for many of these jobs. Experience as a labourer in food, beverage or associated products processing may be required for machine operators while experience as a machine operator in food, beverage or associated products processing is usually required for industrial process control operators. There is little mobility among the various types of process control operators within the food and beverage processing industry while mobility options exist among machine operators within the food, beverage and associated products processing. Process control operators may progress to supervisory positions in food and beverage processing with experience while machine operators may progress to process control operation or supervisory positions with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

550

employed in 2016

89.9%

employed full-time

6.4%

self employed

27.5%

72.5%

39.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

86.6%

employed full-time

3.1%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

31.9%

Halifax

26.8%

Annapolis Valley

22.5%

Northern

11.6%

Southern

6.5%

Cape Breton

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

Northern

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

74.5%

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing

5.5%

Retail Trade

5.5%

Accommodation and Food Services

4.5%

Other Industries

4.5%

Agriculture

What is the age of Employment?

26.1%

25-34

21.7%

15-24

19.6%

45-54

19.6%

55-64

10.9%

35-44

4.3%

65+

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

41.6%

45-54

28.6%

55-64

20.8%

35-44

5.2%

25-34

2.6%

15-24

Top levels of education

49.2%

High school

$15,366 median annual income

19.7%

Less than high school

$11,773 median annual income

11.4%

College certificate or diploma

$21,882 median annual income

8.3%

Bachelor's degree

$26,434 median annual income

7.6%

Trades certificate

$25,074 median annual income

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,358 median annual income

22.9%

Less than high school

$21,011 median annual income

20.3%

College certificate or diploma

$36,968 median annual income

12.4%

Trades certificate

$37,356 median annual income

4.4%

Bachelor's degree

$36,852 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Siège Social: 1695, Route 1

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0

(902) 769-2114

Blanche.Theriault@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College - Annapolis Valley Campus

50 Elliott Road

Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0

(902) 825-3491

avc.info@nscc.ca