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 representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • 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 list "basic math," "customer service," and "math" as skills on their resumes. We go into more details on the most important production associate responsibilities here:

  • Communication skills can be considered to be the most important personality trait for a production associate to have. According to a production associate resume, "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material" production associates are able to use communication skills in the following example we gathered from a resume: "company training in; lean manufacturing, team building, iso 9000 win/win communication, conflict resolution"
  • Another trait important for fulfilling production associate duties is coordination. According to a production associate resume, "material moving machine operators should have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." Here's an example of how production associates are able to utilize coordination: "maintained production equipment, performed equipment isolation in coordination with maintenance personnel for routine and repetitive maintenance activities. "
  • Production associates are also known for mechanical skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a production associate resume: "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "assist in the mechanical procedures of the production lines. "
  • A thorough review of lots of resumes revealed to us that "visual ability" is important to completing production associate responsibilities. This resume example shows just one way production associates use this skill: "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. "
  • See the full list of production associate skills.

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    What Technical Machine Operators Do

    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.

    In this section, we compare the average production associate annual salary with that of a technical machine operator. Typically, technical machine operators earn a $1,373 higher salary than production associates earn annually.

    While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both production associates and technical machine operators positions are skilled in basic math, math, and pallet jack.

    These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. A production associate responsibility is more likely to require skills like "customer service," "hand tools," "pallets," and "work ethic." Whereas a technical machine operator requires skills like "preventative maintenance," "machine operation," "continuous improvement," and "trouble shoot." Just by understanding these different skills you can see how different these careers are.

    Technical machine operators tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry by averaging a salary of $35,834. In contrast, production associates make the biggest average salary of $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.

    What Are The Duties Of a 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.

    The next role we're going to look at is the line operator profession. Typically, this position earns a higher pay. In fact, they earn a $2,081 higher salary than production associates per year.

    A similarity between the two careers of production associates and line operators are a few of the skills associated with both roles. We used resumes from both professions to find that both use skills like "basic math," "pallet jack," and "assembly line. "

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are 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 might be skilled 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. There are industries that support higher salaries in each profession respectively. Interestingly enough, line operators earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $37,379. Whereas, production associates have higher paychecks in the health care industry where they earn an average of $32,949.

    On the topic of education, 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.

    How a Manufacturing Operator Compares

    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.

    Let's now take a look at the manufacturing operator profession. On average, these workers make higher salaries than production associates with a $2,018 difference per year.

    Using production associates and manufacturing operators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skills such as "basic math," "math," and "hand tools," but the other skills required are very different.

    Some important key differences between the two careers are a few of the skills necessary to fulfill responsibilities. Some examples from production associate resumes include skills like "customer service," "pallets," "pallet jack," and "work ethic," whereas a manufacturing operator might be skilled 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. Whereas production associates are paid the highest salary in the health care industry with the average being $32,949.

    Manufacturing operators are known to earn similar educational levels when compared to production associates. Additionally, they're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of an Assembly Associate

    Assembly associates tend to earn a lower pay than production associates by about $3,205 per year.

    While both production associates and assembly associates complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like basic math, math, and hand tools, the two careers also vary in other skills.

    Each job requires different skills like "customer service," "pallet jack," "assembly line," and "safety rules," which might show up on a production associate resume. Whereas assembly associate might include skills like "electronic components," "assembly machines," "dexterity," and "good communication."

    In general, assembly associates make a higher salary in the automotive industry with an average of $34,416. The highest production associate annual salary stems from the health care industry.

    The average resume of assembly associates showed that they earn similar levels of education to production associates. So much so that the likelihood of them earning a Master's Degree is 0.3% less. Additionally, they're less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

    What a Production Associate Does FAQs

    How Much Do Production Associates Make?

    Production associates make $27,300 per year, on average ($14 per hour). The range, however, can start as low as $23,400 per year to as high as $34,698 per year. Factors such as location and company types can impact how much a production associate can make.

    How To Make Product Labels

    To make product labels you need to figure out the content to be included, select a label type, and design the label. Here are these steps and others you can take to make product labels:

    • Figure out the content to be included

    What Does A Production Associate Do In A Warehouse?

    A production associate at a warehouse does many things, including maintaining warehouse equipment and assemblies. Production associates ensure correct quality control of materials and end products produced by a company.

    What Is A Product Mix?

    A product mix is the total product line offered by a company. From a marketing approach, a product mix represents the materials that are to be assessed, enhanced, and aimed at a target audience.

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