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What does a Manufacturing Associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a Manufacturing Associate do

Manufacturing associates typically have varied duties and responsibilities. These include preparing materials and equipment for production, operating manufacturing equipment such as washers, and maintaining material inventory. In addition, they are responsible for inspecting purchased equipment, parts, and components, and participating in process investigations. They also review and execute documents related to manufacturing and determine any problems in the manufacturing process. To become a successful manufacturing associate, you should have skills in good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance, aseptic processing, and biotechnology.

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Manufacturing associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real manufacturing associate resumes:

  • Lead WIP management by controlling manufacturing inventory and managing material repair outsourcing.
  • Develop system for tracking, managing, and disposition of test PCB assemblies.
  • Perform adjustments to CIP equipment and run computer programs in order to automate the cleaning and sanitizing of the equipment.
  • Automate lines require quick responses & manual dexterity with absolute errorless perfection.
  • Lift and wrapped finish windows.
  • Record data, perform math calculations when need.
  • Hand dexterity are important, as small parts need to be assemble.
  • Paint inside of trunk area with spray gun in an enclose area in full ppe.
  • Follow all OSHA procedures and standards, attend yearly (right to know) meetings.
  • Monitor and record critical process parameters and data in a timely and accurate manner using GDP's.
  • Train new associates in QC assay procedures, SupersomeTM production (expression, harvest, prep, formulation).
  • Perform final quality control and batch release, which involves investigating non-conformance reports, and reviewing all QC data and documentation.
  • Document and work under ISO conditions
  • Format PowerPoint presentations for management review.
  • Complete all aspects of medical device assembly using ISO requirements

Manufacturing associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Manufacturing Associates are proficient in Basic Math, Cell Culture, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Manufacturing Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Basic Math, 7%

    Performed basic math calculation and record data into computer tracking systems.

  • Cell Culture, 6%

    Completed commercial biological production steps per regulations/procedures/schedule in manufacturing support, cell culture, and protein purification operations.

  • Math, 6%

    Performed math calculations required for batch processing such as determining loss amounts, process yields and accountability and verifying inventory reconciliations.

  • Production Equipment, 5%

    Followed accurate verbal and written procedures in operating production equipment and performing processing steps; accurately completing appropriate production documentation.

  • Hand Tools, 5%

    Operated multiple hand tools and assigned production or manufacturing machinery in a manner that supports quality assurance.

  • Safety Procedures, 5%

    Write work Instructions/job hazard analysis to improve the operating functions at each workstation and to improve quality/safety procedures.

Common skills that a manufacturing associate uses to do their job include "basic math," "cell culture," and "math." You can find details on the most important manufacturing associate responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a manufacturing associate to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what manufacturing associates do because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Additionally, a manufacturing associate resume shows how manufacturing associates use analytical skills: "maintained data integrity and ensure compliance with company sops and specifications, fda, glp, qsr, and cgmp regulations. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling manufacturing associate duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors." According to a manufacturing associate resume, here's how manufacturing associates can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "plan production schedule within communication of planner and buyer. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for manufacturing associates to perform their duties. For an example of how manufacturing associate responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a manufacturing associate: "perform detailed written standard operating procedures (sop), and detailed documentation of operations according to cgmp. ".

Math skills. manufacturing associate responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." This resume example shows what manufacturing associates do with math skills on a typical day: "record data, perform math calculations when needed. "

All manufacturing associate skills

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Compare different manufacturing associates

Manufacturing associate vs. Assembly line worker

Assembly line workers are factory or production floor employees who work on putting together company products. They are assigned to work on a specific part of the product. Once they are done, they should hand it over to the next person on the line. They ensure the quality of the product by doing their part consistently. They also manage the inventory of the features they handle. Assembly line workers should work conscientiously so that the assembly line will remain unbroken. They should be familiar with occupational safety and health practices to ensure that the production floor remains safe for all the workers.

If we compare the average manufacturing associate annual salary with that of an assembly line worker, we find that assembly line workers typically earn a $6,901 lower salary than manufacturing associates make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both manufacturing associate and assembly line worker positions are skilled in production equipment, safety procedures, and quality standards.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a manufacturing associate are more likely to require skills like "basic math," "cell culture," "math," and "hand tools." On the other hand, a job as an assembly line worker requires skills like "assembly line production," "hand-held tools," "honda," and "air tools." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Assembly line workers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,465. Comparatively, manufacturing associates tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,567.The education levels that assembly line workers earn slightly differ from manufacturing associates. In particular, assembly line workers are 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a manufacturing associate. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing associate vs. Generator worker

A Generator Worker is in charge of operating generator systems on a daily basis, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, understanding blueprints and schematics, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency. There are also instances when they perform clerical support tasks such as answering inquiries, organizing files, and preparing progress reports for managers. A Generator Worker must maintain an active communication line with staff for a safe and smooth workflow.

A career as a generator worker brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a manufacturing associate. In fact, generator workers salary is $2,179 lower than the salary of manufacturing associates per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both manufacturing associates and generator workers have skills such as "safety procedures," "iso," and "assembly line. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that manufacturing associate responsibilities requires skills like "basic math," "cell culture," "math," and "production equipment." But a generator worker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety rules," "safety standards," "customer service," and "food preparation."

Generator workers may earn a lower salary than manufacturing associates, but generator workers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $37,605. On the other hand, manufacturing associates receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,567.In general, generator workers achieve similar levels of education than manufacturing associates. They're 1.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing associate vs. Line up worker

The Responsibilities of a Line-Up Worker varies upon the organization or industry. Still, most of the tasks revolve around doing manual work such as loading and unloading heavy shipments, operating various devices and machines of different sizes, assist in maintenance and assembling, and coordinating with teammates and reporting to supervisors. Furthermore, the duties of a Line-Up Worker may involve climbing up and working at high platforms, monitoring inventory of items, and maintaining a well-organized and neat working environment.

An average line up worker eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of manufacturing associates. The difference in salaries amounts to line up workers earning a $6,962 lower average salary than manufacturing associates.By looking over several manufacturing associates and line up workers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "production equipment," "safety procedures," and "quality standards." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a manufacturing associate is likely to be skilled in "basic math," "cell culture," "math," and "hand tools," while a typical line up worker is skilled in "line assembly," "food preparation," "safety rules," and "package processing equipment."

Line up workers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $44,764. Manufacturing associates earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,567.When it comes to education, line up workers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to manufacturing associates. In fact, they're 2.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Manufacturing associate vs. Production operator

A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use. Should there be any issues or concerns regarding safety, it is essential to notify a supervisor right away.

Production operators average a higher salary than the annual salary of manufacturing associates. The difference is about $355 per year.According to resumes from manufacturing associates and production operators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "basic math," "math," and "production equipment. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A manufacturing associate uses "cell culture," "harvest," "troubleshoot," and "aseptic processing." Production operators are more likely to have duties that require skills in "gmp," "safety rules," "customer service," and "data entry. "The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for production operators, with average annual pay of $37,865. Comparatively, the highest manufacturing associate annual salary comes from the automotive industry.The average resume of production operators showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to manufacturing associates. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of manufacturing associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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