Food Batchmaker

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Batching Operator; Blender; Brewing Technician; Compounder; Dosier Operator; Dough Scaler; Mix Technician; Mixer; Mixer Operator; Syrup Maker

Tasks

• Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
• Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
• Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
• Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
• Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
• Give directions to other workers who are assisting in the batchmaking process.
• Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales.
• Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps.
• Determine mixing sequences, based on knowledge of temperature effects and of the solubility of specific ingredients.
• Observe and listen to equipment to detect possible malfunctions, such as leaks or plugging, and report malfunctions or undesirable tastes to supervisors.
• Observe gauges and thermometers to determine if the mixing chamber temperature is within specified limits, and turn valves to control the temperature.
• Turn valve controls to start equipment and to adjust operation to maintain product quality.
• Modify cooking and forming operations based on the results of sampling processes, adjusting time cycles and ingredients to achieve desired qualities, such as firmness or texture.
• Examine, feel, and taste product samples during production to evaluate quality, color, texture, flavor, and bouquet, and document the results.

Knowledge

• Food Production
• Public Safety and Security
• Production and Processing
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Administration and Management
• Computers and Electronics
• Mechanical
• Mathematics

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Speaking

Abilities

• Information Ordering
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Control Precision
• Oral Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Manual Dexterity
• Auditory Attention
• Speech Recognition