Career Suggestion

Food factory worker

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

Average salary (a year)

£21000.0 to £28000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

40.0 to 44.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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

Further information

You can find out more about working in food production from Tasty careers.

Skills and knowledge

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

Day-to-day tasks

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.

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.

Related careers

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