Chemical plant process operator
Chemical plant process operators control machinery that makes products like paints, plastics, solvents and cosmetics.
Typical Salary
£22,000 – £34,000
per year
Working Hours
40–44
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a chemical plant process operator, you'll:
- set up production machinery
- mix and load raw materials into tanks
- monitor instruments and make adjustments to settings
- take routine samples and record data for lab quality checks
- package up finished products and move them to storage areas
- clean and maintain production lines
- follow strict health and safety rules and report technical problems
Skills needed
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
- observation and recording skills
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- concentration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Career progression
With experience, you could move into:
- shift supervision
- quality control
- machine maintenance
- health and safety
- training
With further study, you could become a manufacturing process technician or process lead.