What does a process operator do?
A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress. There are also duties that involve producing reports and presentations, keeping and updating data, performing audits, and managing work schedules. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone, all while adhering and implementing the policies and regulations of the company.
Process operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real process operator resumes:
- Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
- Climb ladders to inspect manholes, check temps, sometimes gather samples for lab analysis.
- Demonstrate ability to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, ratios, weights & measures).
- Control product temperatures and monitor gauges.
- Review FHA files for completeness and compliance.
- Use of ladders, stairs, heavy lifting and temperature extremes.
- Execute UNIX batch jobs via shell scripts and legato job monitoring utility.
- Implement production and CIP schedules for operations to follow and CIP cycle times.
- Used UNIX to start and stop the drives and to monitor alarm codes.
- License hi low driver, certify to confine space rescue and train HAZMAT technician.
- Operate sit down and stand alone forklifts to pull materials for staging process in pre-batch.
- Train and qualify in the following areas: HAZMAT, confine space rescue, and fire brigade.
- Review, validate, and pay vendor/merchant invoices, make accounting entries/reclasses, and handling of ACH transfers.
- Unload incoming ISO containers to different tanks in the tank farm after sampling and getting approval from the lab.
- Operate equipment to manufacture product per GMP and batch record specifications and ensure that the department and company objectives are met
Process operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Process Operators are proficient in Safety Procedures, Preventative Maintenance, and Team-Oriented Environment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Process Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 8%
Sustain safety procedures and emergency procedures.
- Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Managed daily readings, environmental / safety surveys, chemical injection rates and performed preventative maintenance and minors repairs.
- Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
Foster a productive, team-oriented environment.
- Ladders, 5%
Stooped, climbed ladders and lifted heavy loads during set-up for production assembly.
- Customer Service, 4%
Manage assigned phone period assignments effectively and efficiently to ensure uninterrupted high level of customer service satisfaction is attained.
- Data Entry, 4%
Performed Data Entry reviewed document information and check amounts being entered into System.
Common skills that a process operator uses to do their job include "safety procedures," "preventative maintenance," and "team-oriented environment." You can find details on the most important process operator responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a process operator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial engineering technologists and technicians assess changes in conditions, operations, and the environment to help industrial engineers figure out how systems should work." Process operators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "worked with technical services personnel to gather data to ensure process met fda standards. "
Communication skills. Many process operator duties rely on communication skills. "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must listen carefully to instructions from engineers and must clearly articulate problems to their supervisors.," so a process operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways process operator responsibilities rely on communication skills: "maintained constant communication with control room operators to ensure safe operation of unit and it's equipment. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of process operators is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday process operator duties, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians must record precisely what they measure and observe." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "exceeded the quality standards set by the company by consistently producing highly accurate, complete and thorough work in every detail. "
Math skills. For certain process operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "math skills." The day-to-day duties of a process operator rely on this skill, as "industrial engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics and statistical techniques to analyze data collected from studies." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what process operators do: "maintain, compile and update plant operations logs and reports; perform and record mathematical calculations related to plant operational activities. "
The three companies that hire the most process operators are:
- Church & Dwight Co.26 process operators jobs
- Wells Fargo23 process operators jobs
- U.S. Bank18 process operators jobs
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Compare different process operators
Process operator vs. Manufacturing operator
A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a process operator are more likely to require skills like "preventative maintenance," "team-oriented environment," "ladders," and "customer service." On the other hand, a job as a manufacturing operator requires skills like "hand tools," "lean manufacturing," "dexterity," and "osha." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Manufacturing operators earn the highest salaries when working in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average yearly salary of $37,500. On the other hand, process operators are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $40,847.The education levels that manufacturing operators earn slightly differ from process operators. In particular, manufacturing operators are 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a process operator. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process operator vs. Utility operator
Utility Operators are skilled employees who work with different machines, fixtures, and equipment. They operate a number of machines related to the maintenance of office facilities. Such machines include wastewater filtration systems, manufacturing equipment, and cabling works, among others. They also manage water pipes, machine gauges, and electrical cables. Utility Operators manage the fabrication, installation, and maintenance of industrial machines. They should know how to check whether the machines or equipment are working properly. When equipped with the proper tools and knowledge, they may also conduct repairs on the different machines they handle.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, process operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "team-oriented environment," "customer service," "data entry," and "good communication." Meanwhile, a utility operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety standards," "hand tools," "troubleshoot," and "renewable energy." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Utility operators earn a higher average salary than process operators. But utility operators earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $40,541. Additionally, process operators earn the highest salaries in the manufacturing with average pay of $40,847 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Utility operators tend to reach similar levels of education than process operators. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process operator vs. Product coordinator
A Product Coordinator performs general clerical-related duties to support production managers, producers, and directors. They arrange off-sed productions, organize talent travel and meetings, control scheduling and calendars, maintain track billing and budgets, and make direct calls and take messages. These professionals program and supervise seminars and events. Besides assisting with campaign advertising and managing production assistants, and directing their day-to-day activities, production coordinators also coordinate production programs for print publications, online publications, television shows, and films.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, process operators are more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "preventative maintenance," "team-oriented environment," and "ladders." But a product coordinator is more likely to have skills like "product development," "excellent organizational," "purchase orders," and "logistics."
Product coordinators earn the best pay in the hospitality industry, where they command an average salary of $55,718. Process operators earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $40,847.product coordinators typically earn similar educational levels compared to process operators. Specifically, they're 3.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Process operator vs. Process technician
A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between process operators and process technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a process operator might have more use for skills like "team-oriented environment," "good communication," "quality checks," and "control room." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of process technicians require skills like "patients," "osha," "dexterity," and "manual dexterity. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for process technicians, with average annual pay of $46,555. Comparatively, the highest process operator annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.In general, process technicians hold similar degree levels compared to process operators. Process technicians are 0.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of process operator
Updated January 8, 2025
