Packaging / Filling Machine Operator / Tender

Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Includes cannery workers who pack food products.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Bundler; Closing Machine Operator; Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator); Filler Operator; Machine Operator; Packaging Operator; Packing Attendant; Packing Machine Operator

Tasks

• Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
• Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
• Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
• Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
• Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
• Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
• Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
• Start machine by engaging controls.
• Tend or operate machine that packages product.
• Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.
• Regulate machine flow, speed, or temperature.
• Adjust machine components and machine tension and pressure according to size or processing angle of product.
• Supply materials to spindles, conveyors, hoppers, or other feeding devices and unload packaged product.
• Stack finished packaged items, or wrap protective material around each item, and pack the items in cartons or containers.
• Package the product in the form in which it will be sent out, for example, filling bags with flour from a chute or spout.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• Education and Training
• English Language
• Public Safety and Security
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics

Skills

• Monitoring
• Active Listening

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Perceptual Speed
• Manual Dexterity
• Control Precision
• Near Vision
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Visualization
• Selective Attention
• Finger Dexterity
• Multilimb Coordination
• Rate Control
• Reaction Time
• Trunk Strength
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity