Food factory worker

Food factory workers make frozen, tinned, baked and dried products.

Also known as: Food process operative, food processing worker

• Starter salary£21,000 a year
• Experienced£28,000 a year
• Typical hours40 to 44 a week

What you'll do

As a food factory worker, you'll typically work on a production line following strict food safety and quality standards.

You could:

• move raw materials from storage to production areas
• complete equipment start up checks on your section
• control machinery that processes food
• add the right amount of ingredients to blenders and mixers
• monitor instruments like temperature gauges
• carry out quality checks
• report problems with equipment to line supervisors
• clean machines ready for the next production run

Working environment

You could work in a factory.

Your working environment may be hot, noisy and cool.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work well with your hands
• observation and recording skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

How to become a food factory worker

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply to do a Food and Drink Process Operator Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship with a food production company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll have an advantage if you've got:

• experience on a production line, especially one making food products
• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a shift supervisor or move into quality control.

You could improve your career prospects by taking an industry qualification like a certificate in food team leading.

Guides for this industry

• Creative & Media: pay, interviews and getting started →

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