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 use machines to process and package food and beverage products. They work in fruit and vegetable processing plants, dairies, flour mills, bakeries, sugar refineries, meat plants, breweries, and other food and beverage processing companies.

Job Outlook

Average

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 100 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2019

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Estimate 75 employment change, 2019-2021
Estimate 1460 openings due to growth and retirements, 2018-2020
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

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 grow moderately over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Process Control and Machine Operators in Food and Beverage Processing most commonly work full-time hours.

The median employment income for 53% of Process Control and Machine Operators in Food and Beverage 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

$12.55

Minimum

$14.00

Median

$22.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,252

Minimum

$31,892

Median

$63,392

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$23.91

Median

$35.04

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Process control operators:

Use 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.
Use 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.
Watch gauges, computer printouts and video monitors to verify specified processing conditions and adjust process variables like cooking times, ingredient inputs, flow rates and temperature settings.
Maintain shift log of production and other data.

Machine operators:

Set up and adjust processing and packaging machines before use.
Use machines to grind, extract, mix, blend, dry, freeze, cook, or otherwise process food, beverage or related products.
Use machines to box, can or otherwise package food, beverage or associated products.
Check products to make sure they meet company standards and clear machine blockages as needed.
Record production information like quantity, weight, size, date and type of products packaged.
Make 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

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

Job requirements

High school may be required.
On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

Shiftwork is common in 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 movement among the various types of process control operators within the food and beverage processing industry while movement options exist among machine operators within the food, beverage and associated products processing. Process control operators may move to supervisor positions in food and beverage processing with experience while machine operators may move to process control operation or supervisor positions with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

690

employed in 2016

86.9%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

27.7%

72.3%

39.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

32.1%

Halifax

27.0%

Annapolis Valley

22.6%

North Shore

11.7%

Southern

6.6%

Cape Breton

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

76.1%

Manufacturing

5.5%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

5.5%

Accommodation and food services

5.5%

Retail trade

3.7%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

25.0%

45-54

22.0%

25-34

20.0%

35-44

19.0%

15-24

14.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

47.1%

High school

$25,633 median annual income

18.8%

Less than high school

$32,564 median annual income

11.6%

College certificate or diploma

$36,059 median annual income

9.4%

Trades certificate

$14,841 median annual income

8.7%

Bachelor's degree

$26,399 median annual income

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income

23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income

19.9%

College certificate or diploma

$38,781 median annual income

12.2%

Trades certificate

$43,975 median annual income

4.5%

Bachelor's degree

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

Adult high school/secondary diploma programs

This program is typically offered at the high school level.

The Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) administers, coordinates, and supports the development and delivery of adult education programs through learning partners in Nova Scotia. Our learning partners include the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations that offer tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED, empowering Nova Scotians to achieve their learning and employment goals.

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 - Adult Learning

PO Box 220

Halifax, NS B3J 2M4

(866) 679-6722

admissions@nscc.ca