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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

Also called: Coffee Roaster, Machine Operator, Roaster, Roasterman

What they do:

Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.

On the job, you would:
  • Observe, feel, taste, or otherwise examine products during and after processing to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Set temperature and time controls, light ovens, burners, driers, or roasters, and start equipment, such as conveyors, cylinders, blowers, driers, or pumps.
  • Observe temperature, humidity, pressure gauges, and product samples and adjust controls, such as thermostats and valves, to maintain prescribed operating conditions for specific stages.
On the job, you'll need:

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products
  • food production

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Independence
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Initiative

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $37,790

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the Manufacturing industry.