Food factory worker

Alternative titles for this job include Food process operative, food processing worker

Food factory workers make frozen, tinned, baked and dried products.

Average salary (a year)

£12,000 Starter

to

£20,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a food factory worker

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a food and drink process operator intermediate apprenticeship, or a food and drink advanced process operator advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll have an advantage if you've got:

• experience of working on a production line, especially with food
• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of maths
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• controlling machinery that processes food
• making sure there's a constant supply of ingredients
• checking instruments like temperature gauges
• reporting problems with equipment
• keeping machines clean

Working environment

You could work in a factory.

Your working environment may be cool, noisy and hot.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a shift supervisor or move into quality control.

You could improve your job prospects by taking an industry qualification like a diploma in food team leading.

Training opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice General Operative

• Wage : £394.08 Weekly
• Location: Goole DN14 0JJ

Apprentice Cider Technician

• Wage : £211.53 Weekly
• Location: Winscombe BS25 5RA

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Food Industry Skills (Bakery / Hospitality / Kitchen) - Level 2

• Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
• Start date: 02 September 2019
• Location: Blackpool

Food Industry Skills Diploma level 2

• Provider: LEICESTER COLLEGE
• Start date: 02 September 2019
• Location: Leicester

Find courses near you

Related careers

• Production worker (manufacturing)
• Baker
• Brewery worker

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