What does a process worker do?
Often working as part of a production line, process workers operate a range of processing machinery to produce and pack a wide variety of products. They commonly work in warehouse, manufacturing and industrial environments, as well as in a range of specialised industries. They maintain the cleanliness and good working order of production machines, adhere to safety guidelines and work to meet production deadlines and targets. In the food industry, process workers prepare meat products from slaughtered livestock, or produce and pack manufactured and processed food items. Metal engineering process workers and timber/wood process workers assist in the production of metal or timber products.
Process worker skills and qualifications
To excel in their job, process workers must be reliable, have a strong work ethic and be able to cope with the physical demands of the job. They must also possess other important skills and qualifications needed for the role, including:
- ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining concentration
- good accuracy and attention to detail
- ability to follow instructions and procedures
- ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as heavy lifting
- good teamwork skills
- aptitude for technical work
- willingness to do shift work and work in cold, dusty or noisy environments
Process worker experience requirements
Typically, candidates are not required to have previous experience to gain a process worker position. It is considered an entry-level role and most employers provide full on-the-job training, which covers everything they need to know to perform the role.
Process worker education and training requirements
In most cases, process worker positions do not require formal qualifications. However, most employers require applicants to have a year 10 level of education. A forklift licence may be required for some jobs, for example, poultry processing work.
Process worker salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a process worker job in Australia is $27.87 per hour. This pay rate can be higher or lower depending on various factors, including the employee ’s experience, where in the country they work or the industry in which they work.
Job description samples for similar positions
When writing a job description for a process worker position, you might find it useful to look at some job description templates for related positions, such as:
Process worker job description FAQs
What are the day-to-day duties of a food process worker?
A food process worker’s daily duties vary depending on the type of food they work with. Generally speaking, they work with food throughout different stages of the food production process, for example, mixing, cooking, picking, packing or quality control of products. They also add in materials, such as spices or preservatives, as well as weigh and measure ingredients. Another important aspect of the job is the machinery. They are responsible for checking and regulating the food processing machinery. This includes adjusting the speed of the conveyor belt if necessary, stopping the machine if there’s a problem and regularly checking instruments, such as temperature gauges. They also make sure equipment is kept clean.
What qualities make a good process worker?
Process workers play an important role in the production process, so a good process worker is highly reliable. They must be able to work efficiently and maintain their focus for long periods of time while performing repetitive tasks. Good attention to detail is also important. For example, process workers may be required to spot small imperfections on foodstuffs.
What are the different types of process worker?
Process workers are employed in a variety of industries, in which they perform broadly similar production line tasks. Some of the main types of process worker include food process workers, metal engineering process workers and timber/wood process workers. Food process workers specialise in a number of areas, including meat, seafood, poultry, dairy, fruits and vegetables, margarine and edible oils. Process workers also work in a wide range of other settings, including cement and concrete plants, chemical plants, clay processing factories, glass processing factories, fabric and textile factories and recycling plants.
Do process workers have different responsibilities in different industries?
The responsibilities that process workers have in different industries do not vary greatly. However, some process worker roles require a higher skill level than most roles. For example, timber/wood process workers sometimes operate highly technical equipment, such as CNC machines, nesting routers, laser cutting machines or automated frame and truss machinery.
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