What does a Process Operator do?
Process operators oversee and manage a full production at a manufacturing plant or similar industrial facility by monitoring equipment to ensure its quality, safety, and efficiency remain intact. They also ensure operations run safely and that essential maintenance of the facility’s equipment and instruments is regularly performed, and they troubleshoot these features when necessary. Process operators program and operate the facility’s computer system that directly operates its machinery. They use this system to start a plant up and shut it down and run the production of materials.
Process operators conduct constant inspections and identify abnormalities including broken equipment or safety issues. When a problem is identified, they compose a report and ensure necessary repairs, equipment adjustments, or proper responses have been instituted and that supervisors have been notified. Process operators ensure products under their supervision meet specifications and requirements, leading them to gather samples for lab analysis and perform quality control analysis on the product. Process operators need a high school diploma or equivalency, including a GED and technical or vocational training in safety protocols and heavy machinery.
- Responsible for recruitment, development and ensuring performance of staff.
- Schedule, monitor and oversee the daily tasks of the production team on plant site.
- Design and setup complex pilot plant systems/tests to mimic a 'future' manufacturing system.
- Identify key unit operations and key processing parameters and understand their impact to finished product.
- Train production personnel on new procedures and inform them of changes to current procedures.
- Prepare all log books, transfer sheets and inventory sheets in an accurate and complete manner.
- Ensure process optimization during startup and early production of new processes.
- Maintain the operation of the press rollers and cooling process of the sheet.
- Sort, place, and identify materials and/or products on racks, shelves, or bins.
- Initiate Work Requests in the CMMS software as they are determined.
- Communicate with the maintenance department to schedule required projects.
- Monitor quality issues and perform visual audits and records checks on ingredient preparation according to specific protocol per liquid beverage product line.
- Perform lab utility functions to test for product standards and integrity. complete sanitation check points and daily preventive maintenance.
- Monitor quality issues and perform and promptly records quality checks.
- Monitor and adjust system parameters to achieve high quality results.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, information systems or computer science, or equivalent experience.
- A natural leader and problem solver with a demonstrated sound work ethic and attention to details.
- Will strive for continuous improvement.
- Is comfortable taking the lead with tasks, including rendering, processing change orders, and interfacing.
- Demonstrated sound judgment.
- Is flexible and skilled at working with communications systems.
- Experience working with tablets and expense reporting.
How much does a Process Operator make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$45,658
/ yrProcess Operator Career Path
Learn how to become a Process Operator, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Process Operator Insights
Nehanet“No cons I saw friendly nature lovable .I didn't see any cons here .”
Howmet Aerospace“HR doesn't listen to any complaints from hourly people I have been harassed and cussed at and when I went to HR they did nothing.”
Morgan Advanced Materials“The pay was good and bonuses”
![[24]7.ai](https://media.glassdoor.com/sql/34134/-24-7-ai-squarelogo-1594907479696.png)
[24]7.ai“Work load is not much but hectic”
Dow“Good pay but not the best compared to other chemical companies”
Zealous Services“good work pressure free nice”
Greenville Liquefied Natural Gas“Presents a good opportunity for career beginners in Oil and Gas”
TotalEnergies“Interesting work and good compensation”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Process Operator
- Project Engineer
- Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Product Test Engineer