what is a production operative?
A production operative works in the assembly line in factories and production plants. Your job involves feeding raw materials into the machines and operating them during manufacturing. You can work in various production industries working with metals, plastic and other consumer goods. It is your responsibility to maintain the industry standards during the manufacturing process. You need to understand the finished goods' safety protocols and quality requirements.
Unlike a general production worker, you use specialised machines to accomplish your tasks. For instance, you use computer-aided equipment to cut metal and control machines. When you work in a warehouse, you package the products and prepare them for shipping.
what does a production operative do?
As a production operative, you need to be physically fit since your job involves moving heavy packages and raw materials. You operate heavy machinery during production, which requires manual dexterity. A production operative is also in charge of maintenance and repair of heavy equipment and machinery. You clean them and replace worn parts before production begins. If the machines need assembling, you work alongside other production workers to build the equipment.
Would working as a production operative suit your manual dexterity and interpersonal skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a production operative role.
average salary of a production operative
According to ONS, the average salary of a production operative is £18,005 per year or £9.23 hourly rate. Entry-level production operatives earn an average of £16,383 annually since they have minimal experience and skills. Experienced workers with better skills and expert knowledge of production processes earn up to £22,592 per year. When deadlines are looming, you have to work during less sociable hours. Overtime hours usually attract higher hourly rates than standard hours. Some companies also provide various benefits like medical allowance, life insurance or contribution to a pension scheme.
how to increase your salary as a production operative
Your compensation package usually depends on your qualifications and hands-on experience. For instance, a production operative with experience operating a forklift and other machines earns up to £26,396 per year. Therefore, improving your skills and academic qualifications through short courses and specialised training can increase your salary. The job role and industry sector also affect your salary. For example, a food production operative role involves additional food safety standards and is likely to pay more than a factory role in producing plastic goods. Manufacturing processes that require specialised machinery also have better wages due to the job's complexity. If you want to boost your earnings, find a job in a lucrative industry sector.
types of production operative
As a production operative, you can work in various industries and perform diverse roles, including:
- assembly line production operative: you work alongside other operatives on the assembly line during the production process. Your responsibilities may involve cutting raw materials, assembling parts and packaging goods. Sometimes, you are part of the quality assurance team.
- machine operator roles: some production operative roles focus on using machines to manipulate raw materials. The roles involve using computer numeric control or operating forklifts.
- food production operative: as a food production operative, you produce and package food products. Your duties involve weighing and checking raw materials before production and maintaining a clean environment. You also need to ensure food safety measures are adhered to and run quality checks post-production.
- warehouse production operative: a warehouse production operative receives raw materials and stores them before production. You are also in charge of packaging finished goods and preparing them for shipping.
working as a production operative
Working as a production operative involves putting together finished goods and preparing them for sale. Let's explore some tasks and responsibilities of the role.
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production operative job description
Some of the roles include:
- measuring raw materials: as a production operative, you classify and measure raw materials before the production process commences. After weighing the appropriate materials to use, you need to feed the materials into the machinery. When working in a warehouse, you store the raw materials properly to keep them in good condition.
- operating machinery and production equipment: the primary responsibility of a production operative is to control machines. After feeding the raw materials, you make the necessary adjustments based on production requirements. You ensure the equipment has enough voltage or fuel to run at the appropriate speed.
- assembling product parts: in an assembly line manufacturing plant, you work alongside other production operatives to build various parts. For instance, you can put together the parts of a toy after producing separate parts.
- cleaning the work environment and maintaining equipment: production operatives must clean the production area and organise it after production. Your job is to ensure the workstation complies with the health and safety standards. You also clean, maintain and repair the machines. You should lubricate and service the equipment to ensure a seamless production process.
- packaging finished products: when you assemble or manufacture consumer goods, you need to package them before they leave the warehouse. It is crucial to use the appropriate packaging materials and sort them to ease shipping.
- maintaining production quality: as a production operative, you check finished products and test them to ensure they meet production standards. You also record defective items before storage.
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work environment
A production operative usually works indoors in factories, production plants and warehouses. The work environment is controlled to make it suitable for production activities. For instance, the surfaces are cleaned regularly to maintain health standards in food production industries. In assembly line manufacturing units, the work setting is usually organised to avoid accidents and injury. When machines are in operation, the environment can be noisy, dusty and filled with fumes. Most manufacturing units require production operatives to wear protective clothing and equipment to minimise injury.
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who are your colleagues?
As a production operative, you work in various production environments, from warehouses to pharmaceutical industries. Your colleagues may include general operatives roles, machinery mechanics, maintenance engineers and mechanical engineers. They help you diagnose and repair factory equipment to ensure everything functions properly. You may also work alongside fabricators, assemblers and other specialists like welders, millwrights and factory managers.
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work schedule
When working full time as a production operative, your typical schedule is 42 hours per week. Sometimes, you have to work over 10 hours daily to meet production expectations. Factories that operate on a 24/7 basis have shift schedules. That means you can work early morning or night shifts. When your employer needs to fulfil large orders, you have to work over the weekends and holidays. Some companies have part-time opportunities or employ production operatives on short-term contracts. For instance, during the festive season, production work doubles and factories may need to hire additional production operatives.
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job outlook
Even with automated production processes, factories will always need production operatives to assemble finished goods and manage the machinery. As a production operative, you have a well-defined career path since you can progress to supervisory roles like quality control specialist, production manager or factory manager. Alternatively, specialise in specific production processes like machine operation, fabrication or forklift operation.
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advantages of finding a production operative job through randstad
Finding your production operative job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a production operative is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Every employer has varying educational qualifications for production operatives. Some prefer entry-level workers with minimal post-secondary education since they train them according to their factory needs. Other employers prefer production operatives with prior work experience and expert-level qualifications. Some of the academic qualifications you need include:
- college: a production operative can secure a job with GCSE qualification. However, completing a certificate course in forklift operations or maintenance gives you a head start. If you intend to operate computer-controlled machines, a background in computer-aided manufacturing or drafting comes in handy.
- apprenticeship: a production operative needs an intermediate apprenticeship in lean manufacturing that takes a year to complete. Production operatives also undergo on-the-job training before they start working.
skills and competencies
A production operative needs the following skills to succeed:
- attention to detail: a production operative has to put together product parts during assembling. You need to be detail-oriented to ensure you assemble the pieces based on the blueprints and technical drawings. You also have to maintain your focus during production to avoid accidents.
- critical thinking and problem-solving skills: problems are inevitable when working in a production plant. You have to identify the issues promptly and solve them to avoid disrupting the manufacturing process. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills help you identify quick solutions.
- interpersonal skills: production operative roles are team-based and collaborative. You work alongside various production workers and machine operators. You need interpersonal skills and communication ability to work with various teams.
- physical strength: as a production operative, you have to be physically fit to lift materials and move machine parts in the production plant. Manual dexterity also improves your efficiency.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a production operative
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what is a production operative?
A production operative manufactures and assembles goods in factories. They also work in assembly plants to assemble different equipment or operate machines in manufacturing units.
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what does a production operator do?
A production operator sets up and monitors machines during manufacturing. They feed raw materials into machines, control the equipment, replace parts and complete maintenance. In case of malfunction, they conduct diagnostic tests to determine the problem..
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what is a production-based job?
A production-based job involves working in the manufacturing industry and finished goods sectors. You can work in pharmaceutical industries, food production or warehouses.
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how do I become a production operator?
You can become a production operator through an apprenticeship with a manufacturing company and learn the skills while working. Training and short courses in computer-aided manufacturing also improve your chances of securing a job.
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how do I apply for a production operative vacancy?
Applying for a production operative job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
