What does a production associate do?
The responsibilities of a Production Associate vary according to their chosen line of industry or work. A Production Associate is usually assigned to quality control in a Manufacturing setting, wherein they are required to oversee the process, materials, and workforce involved in each operation, ensuring they adhere to the standards and policies of the company. Furthermore, they must coordinate with other personnel or departments through daily reports, monitor the progress of activities, raise detected issues to managers, follow every protocol, and maintain necessary documentation.
Production associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real production associate resumes:
- Accomplish collating training for revisions and charts.
- Create template tool using HTML and JavaScript to assist change incorporation team with rapid planning deployment and reduce cost per job.
- Follow safety regulations relating to OSHA or other company-relate regulations.
- Support stringent cleanliness standards for production equipment and manufacturing space.
- Maintain computer knowledge of basic applications such as PowerPoint and InDesign, and copier-specific software applications.
- Create style guides, scripts and CSS files.
- Run sand blasting equipment to clean carbide inserts for brazing
- Utilize cutting and protective materials to debone and slice chicken.
- Remanufacture used brake calibers for Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.
- Work in a heated environment, wearing the proper PPE for safety.
- Stoop, climb ladders and lift heavy loads during set-up for production assembly.
- Experience at welding, fabricating, brazing, drilling, tapping, etc.
- Climb or move on ladders, steps, stairwells, walkways, and platforms.
- Participate in harvest conditioning activities including receiving, drying and shelling of seed corn.
- Perform warehouse duties including forklift operations, RF scanner operations, and various safety initiatives.
Production associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Production Associates are proficient in Basic Math, Customer Service, and Math. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Production Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Basic Math, 8%
Completed paperwork checking in machines while using basic math skills and written as well as verbal communication.
- Customer Service, 7%
Prepared reports, process inventory transactions, follow-up on all communications for documentation purposes and assisted manager with customer service goals.
- Math, 6%
Present strong mathematical knowledge and various math applications.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Operated semi-automated equipment and hand tools to assemble parts and adjusted assemblies for final testing to meet engineering specifications.
- Pallets, 5%
Assisted management with inventory, raw materials, pallet production and shipment while utilizing just-in-time inventory.
- Pallet Jack, 5%
Operated electrical rider pallet jacks for order selecting.
Most production associates use their skills in "basic math," "customer service," and "math" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential production associate responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a production associate to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Production associates often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "company training in; lean manufacturing, team building, iso 9000 win/win communication, conflict resolution"
Coordination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling production associate duties is coordination. The role rewards competence in this skill because "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." According to a production associate resume, here's how production associates can utilize coordination in their job responsibilities: "maintained production equipment, performed equipment isolation in coordination with maintenance personnel for routine and repetitive maintenance activities. "
Mechanical skills. production associates are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to production associate responsibilities, because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." A production associate resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "assist in the mechanical procedures of the production lines. "
Visual ability. A big part of what production associates do relies on "visual ability." You can see how essential it is to production associate responsibilities because "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical production associate tasks: "followed daily production requirements, which included hourly quality inspection of product, and visual inspection. "
The three companies that hire the most production associates are:
- Cintas821 production associates jobs
- MAU Workforce Solutions256 production associates jobs
- Aerotek126 production associates jobs
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Compare different production associates
Production associate vs. Technical machine operator
A line operator is responsible for assisting in warehouse and factory operations, usually assigned on doing heavy works for the production. Line operators' duties include operating manufacturing machines and equipment, placing products on the appropriate shelves, checking supplies and inventories, loading orders for shipments, inspecting products for any defects, labeling products accurately, adhering to the safety procedures to prevent product contamination, and observing sanitary regulations. A line operator must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially on meeting deadlines and processing customers' orders.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a production associate are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "hand tools," "pallets," and "work ethic." On the other hand, a job as a technical machine operator requires skills like "preventative maintenance," "machine operation," "continuous improvement," and "trouble shoot." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technical machine operators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,834. In contrast, production associates make the biggest average salary, $32,949, in the health care industry.technical machine operators tend to reach similar levels of education than production associates. In fact, technical machine operators are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Production associate vs. Line 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, production associate responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "math," "hand tools," and "pallets." Meanwhile, a line operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "mechanical troubleshooting," "preventative maintenance," "line equipment," and "machine operation." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, line operators earn a higher salary than production associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, line operators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $37,379. Whereas production associates have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $32,949.line operators earn similar levels of education than production associates in general. They're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production associate vs. Manufacturing operator
In manufacturing facilities, an assembly associate is responsible for assembling product components according to guidelines and diagrams. Their daily tasks often include preparing and processing products, operating machines, maintaining records, and adhering to schedules and production goals. They are also responsible for attending regular meetings and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas, discarding trash properly. Moreover, as an assembly associate, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers and adhere to the company's safety guidelines and policies.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from production associate resumes include skills like "customer service," "pallets," "pallet jack," and "work ethic," whereas a manufacturing operator is more likely to list skills in "lean manufacturing," "good communication," "dexterity," and "cleanliness. "
Manufacturing operators make a very good living in the pharmaceutical industry with an average annual salary of $37,500. On the other hand, production associates are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $32,949.manufacturing operators typically earn similar educational levels compared to production associates. Specifically, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production associate vs. Assembly associate
Types of production associate
Updated January 8, 2025
