What does a relief operator do?
A relief operator job depends on the institution or organization. Their main jobs include examining, measuring, and weighing materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices such as rulers, micrometers, or scales. Their additional responsibilities include maintaining regular contact and communication with customers to resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.
Relief operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real relief operator resumes:
- Run and maintain production machinery while following all company GMP's and safety policies.
- Utilize chemicals for clean-ups, always following MSDS instructions and wearing proper PPE at all times.
- Perform work in specialize chemical/acid resistant PPE with SCBA, chemical resistant heat suits, inline air and escape packs.
- Maintain technical data/records for mechanical/electrical repair and adjustments to assure product conformance with SPC specifications.
- Perform routine verification of equipment when unloading autoclaves and setting up aseptic filling machines.
Relief operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Relief Operators are proficient in Food Safety, CIP, and PPE. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Relief Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Food Safety, 18%
Report food safety & quality problems to personnel with authority in order to initiate action.
- CIP, 11%
Operate CIP (Clean In Place) procedures on a daily basis.
- PPE, 7%
Followed all OSHA and FDA requirements and safety standards and use of proper PPE's.
- Quality Checks, 7%
Maintain Driver RoutesClerical WorkLoading and UnloadingQuality ChecksTraveled for special pickups
- Basic Math, 6%
Followed production instructions and utilized a computer and calculator to aid in basic math calculations.
- CDL, 6%
Can also drive a Semi and water truck.Skills UsedHave a CDL.
"food safety," "cip," and "ppe" are among the most common skills that relief operators use at work. You can find even more relief operator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a relief operator to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what relief operators do because "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Additionally, a relief operator resume shows how relief operators use communication skills: "maintain ongoing customer contact, and regular communications with appropriate internal departments in support of customer orders. "
Coordination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling relief operator 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 relief operator resume, here's how relief operators can utilize coordination in their job responsibilities: "meet productivity goals & quality standards- communicate in english, both verbal and written- good hand-eye coordination- attention to detail"
Mechanical skills. relief operators are also known for mechanical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to relief operator responsibilities, because "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." A relief operator resume example shows how mechanical skills is used in the workplace: "perform repair and preventative maintenance, both mechanical and electrical. "
Visual ability. relief operator responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." This resume example shows what relief operators do with visual ability on a typical day: "manufactured 450 toyota seats per shift with 100% visual quality inspection. "
The three companies that hire the most relief operators are:
- Dairy Farmers of America26 relief operators jobs
- Key Energy Services16 relief operators jobs
- Publix12 relief operators jobs
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Compare different relief operators
Relief operator vs. Production line operator
Production line operators must have strong reading skills and a knowledge base for loading and unloading, quality control, and starting and stopping of production lines. Those who choose this career will be expected to assist in assembling and manufacturing machines, foodstuffs, and products. Production line operators most often work in a factory setting for a manufacturer.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, relief operator responsibilities require skills like "food safety," "cip," "cdl," and "lockout tagout." Meanwhile a typical production line operator has skills in areas such as "math," "production line equipment," "machine operation," and "rf." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Production line operators really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $38,400. Comparatively, relief operators tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $46,955.On average, production line operators reach similar levels of education than relief operators. Production line operators are 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Relief operator vs. Lining machine 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, relief operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "food safety," "cip," "cdl," and "preventative maintenance." Meanwhile, a lining machine operator has duties that require skills in areas such as "product quality," "machine operation," "iso," and "safety rules." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, lining machine operators earn a lower salary than relief operators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, lining machine operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $39,210. Whereas relief operators have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $46,955.In general, lining machine operators achieve similar levels of education than relief operators. They're 0.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Relief operator vs. Manufacturing operator
A pack machine operator is an employee who is responsible for operating and maintaining packaging machines to prepare industrial and consumer products for storage or shipment. Pack machine operators observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products are up to standards. They monitor the production line to avoid problems such as pile-ups or jams while removing defective products and packaging material. Pack machine operators must also conduct maintenance of the packaging machines on a weekly to monthly basis.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from relief operator resumes include skills like "food safety," "cdl," "preventative maintenance," and "production floor," whereas a manufacturing operator is more likely to list skills in "math," "hand tools," "lean manufacturing," and "safety rules. "
Manufacturing operators make a very good living in the pharmaceutical industry with an average annual salary of $37,500. On the other hand, relief operators are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $46,955.Most manufacturing operators achieve a similar degree level compared to relief operators. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Relief operator vs. Pack machine operator
Types of relief operator
Updated January 8, 2025
