A Machine Operator Helper is a professional who assists machine operators in various industries to ensure the smooth operation of machinery and equipment. They play a crucial role in maintaining productivity and efficiency within manufacturing and production processes. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Machine Operator Helpers.

Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.

Main Responsibilities of a Machine Operator Helper

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Machine Operator Helper:

Adhere to

• Adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.

• Adhere to production schedules and prioritize tasks based on production needs.

Assemble

Assemble, pack and label products, as well as stack the product boxes on the appropriate pallet.

Assist in

• Assist in counting inventory.

• Assist in ink room as needed.

• Assist in operating shrink wrap machine.

• Assist in ripping perforated labels.

• Assist in the assembly or disassembly of machinery and equipment as required.

• Assist in the implementation of maintenance and preventive maintenance tasks.

• Assist in the implementation of quality control measures and inspections.

• Assist in the loading and unloading of trucks or containers for shipping purposes.

• Assist in the placement of products on equipment or work surfaces, supplying or holding materials.

• Assist in training and assist other machine operators with job duties on the machine as needed.

• Assist machine operator for accuracy.

• Assist machine operators in setting up and preparing machinery for production.

• Assist machine operators with changing over machines.

• Assist machine operators with the operation of machines.

• Assist machine operators with the set up of large machines.

• Assist machine operator with any needs.

• Assist other employees in setup and operation functions as needed.

• Assist Web Doffer as required.

• Assist with loading spools of wiring onto machine.

• Assist with loading the machine with plastic product to produce plastic molds.

• Assist with meeting Hourly production goals.

• Assist with operating of rewinder.

Box up

Box up finished goods to go to next department.

Build

Build or assembles crates.

Carry out

Carry out measurements, weight checks and record results on charts.

Change

Change Ink drums on dispenser, Pick up return inks from each press.

Check

• Check output to spot any machine-related mistakes or flaws.

• Check print quality throughout shift.

• Check product rolls for damage.

Clean

Clean and maintain machinery and work areas to ensure a safe and organized environment.

Clear

Clear jams and start / stop auto packer as required.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with machine operators and other team members to achieve production goals.

• Collaborate with team members to troubleshoot issues and improve overall productivity.

Collect

Collect and dispose of waste materials and scrap products properly.

Communicate

• Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors regarding production progress.

• Communicate questions regarding quality with necessary personnel.

• Communicate with winder operator and carding operator during production.

Complete

• Complete all production and Quality control paperwork in accordance with established user guides.

• Complete required documentation that requires mathemaical and measuring skills.

Conduct

• Conduct operations in a manner that promotes safety.

• Conduct regular quality checks to ensure products meet the required standards.

Configure

Configure inserters to run at optimum seed and checks for guide set-ups and sensor detectors.

Control

Control speeds of Let-off to keep slack in material while running through dryer.

Detect

Detect issues and reports them to the supervisor.

Determine

Determine and report malfunctions to appropriate parties.

Document

Document inventory number and weight and organize packages.

Dump

Dump food coloring into machines and vats.

Ensure

• Ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

• Ensure equipment and surrounding area is maintained in a clean and orderly fashion.

• Ensure that all procedures are followed and the quality produced meets or exceeds expectations.

• Ensure that machines are producing quality products by monitoring periodic checks on output.

• Ensure that regular and preventative maintenance procedures are carried out.

• Ensure work space is kept in a clean and maintain a safe working environment.

Examine

Examine, inspect and package products.

Feed

• Feed materials into machines and adjust controls to regulate machine speed and pressure.

• Feed machine hoppers with stock and transports and packs finished products.

Follow

• Follow all safety guidelines and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

• Follow all safety, quality and manufacturing policies, procedures and practices as instructed.

• Follow directions in a dynamic work environment.

• Follow safety protocols and guidelines to minimize risks and maintain a safe work environment.

• Follow safety regulations.

• Follow safety rules and regulations.

• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and adhere to company policies and regulations.

• Follow standard safety procedures.

• Follow Supervisor directions.

• Follow the directions of supervisors and operators.

• Follow user guide instruction for parameters.

Handle

• Handle empty cases and solve other line issues.

• Handle product and raw materials.

Help

• Help Helpers adhere to production schedule.

• Help keep the work area clean.

• Help load and unload paper into machine.

• Help Machine operator to pull and fold the insulation foam.

• Help machine operator with starting up machine.

• Help pack merchandise into boxes.

• Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill.

• Help set up machine operations.

• Help troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform minor repairs or adjustments.

Identify

• Identify and communicate any opportunities for Molding improvements.

• Identify defective products or materials based on written specification.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements and suggest possible solutions.

• Identify, troubleshoots and corrects product defects caused by the machine.

Inspect

• Inspect and adjust machine to correct for defects in product.

• Inspect and assemble parts.

• Inspect parts for quality assurance.

• Inspect production pieces at various intervals up to 100% inspection as required.

• Inspect products for defects and identify any issues that may affect quality or efficiency.

• Inspect products for defects and take appropriate action as instructed.

• Inspect tubing for defects according to length.

• Inspect work-in-process and finished units to ensure compliance with quality standards.

Involve

Involve standing for extended periods of time and some lifting of mail buckets up to 50lbs.

Keep

• Keep appropriate records and reports (complete forms, logs, and records accurately - as required).

• Keep area around press clean.

• Keep area clean and burners in their proper place.

• Keep records of approved and defective units or final products.

Know

Know which supplies are needed each day and where to get them.

Learn

Learn new technology as it is brought to manufacturing.

Load

• Load and unload materials into machines, such as raw materials or finished products.

• Load merchandise into trucks.

• Load empty beams into cages as required.

• Load spools of material onto Tunnel Dryer let-off.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and organized work area.

• Maintain a clean work space.

• Maintain a good attitude and morale toward their job and fellow employees at all times.

• Maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards work responsibilities.

• Maintain communication with Tunnel Dryer Windup Operator.

• Maintain housekeeping, including clean flooring around winder and rewinder.

• Maintain housekeeping standards at all times.

• Maintain Quality Standards.

• Maintain the filament spinning area in a neat and orderly fashion.

• Maintain work area and equipment in a clean and orderly condition.

Make

Make recommendations for optimizing the schedule to meet cost, quality and service goals.

Monitor

• Monitor box quality, including, but not limited to, loose liner, warp, correct size, and print.

• Monitor inventory levels and communicate any shortages or issues to the appropriate personnel.

• Monitor machines during operation to ensure they are functioning properly.

• Monitor operation of production equipment to ensure efficiency.

• Monitor production for accuracy and efficiency and inspect parts to identify defects.

• Monitor the running of the process and RECORDS actuals on the process setup sheet.

Move

• Move boxes through the warehouse.

• Move product onto conveyor for machine operator.

Note

Note any problems with material on the reel tags, or a tag applied to the outside layer of material.

Notify

Notify supervisor of conditions outside of normal operating parameters.

Operate

• Operate all equipment in a safe and efficient manner following indicated work methods.

• Operate and maintain assigned line to maintain safety, quality and productivity.

• Operate auxiliary equipment and handle materials or products as needed.

• Operate equipment needed to perform job such as machine operation functions.

• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, or other material-handling equipment as needed.

• Operate machinery used in the production process, or assist machine operators.

• Operate machine to perform production operations.

• Operate other production machines as needed.

• Operate with a focus on safety and quality, while maintaining a sanitary.

Pack

• Pack out product in accordance with directions and accuracy.

• Pack spikes or tiles from any assigned machine.

Participate in

Participate in training programs to enhance skills and stay updated on industry advancements.

Perform

• Perform 6S and other housekeeping duties required for clean and safe work environment.

• Perform any non-technical routine tasks at the plant.

• Perform best practice quality checks on line and equipment.

• Perform housekeeping tasks.

• Perform material handler duties as assigned.

• Perform production tasks that assist other production laborers.

• Perform random tests to ensure accuracy.

• Perform routine adjustments during the machine run and maintain production throughout the run.

• Perform routine cleaning and maintenance tasks on equipment and tools.

• Perform routine property care activities.

• Perform routine trouble-shooting on auto packer.

• Perform various job functions throughout the day (multi task).

Place

Place products in equipment or on work surfaces for further processing, inspecting, or wrapping.

Prepare

• Prepare and package finished products for shipment or storage.

• Prepare materials to be put into machines.

• Prepare packaging in accordance with customer instructions.

Prioritize

Prioritize work requests based on instructions from the Production Supervisor.

Process

Process materials accurately to ensure quality standards.

Produce

Produce high quality product, consistently within customer specifications and expected cycle time.

Promote

Promote safety by abiding by all related policies and procedures and set a good example for others.

Provide

• Provide help in other in other parts of the factory if needed.

• Provide samples to QC as required and also micro labs and samples for customers.

Read

• Read and compare labels for accuracy.

• Read and interpret job instructions to ensure that correct materials are being used.

• Read job specifications to determine machine adjustments and material requirements.

• Read work order specifications and forge instructions before each run.

Receive

Receive instructions and work orders for the job.

Record

• Record moisture results on the Tunnel Dryer report.

• Record production data and maintain accurate records of materials used and products produced.

• Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms.

Remove

• Remove foreign material from items on conveyor belts.

• Remove piece ticket stub and staples onto roll edge.

Report

• Report any defective materials, missing or damaged tools to the supervisor.

• Report any issues to supervisor or higher-level colleague.

• Report any unusual scheduling issues to Supervisor.

• Report production information, scrap and highlight any problems to the shift leader.

Review

• Review processing prior to manufacturing.

• Review specification sheet for the batch to be mixed, collect necessary.

Run

• Run extruder in absence of extruder operator.

• Run the machine meeting production goals.

Set

• Set and maintain proper thickness and continuity of the sheet from the twin-screw extruder.

• Set beam loading hoists into position before loading.

Set-up

• Set-up, adjust and monitor machines according to provided specifications.

• Set-up and assists in operating machine meeting established published specifications.

• Set-up and clean up is done by a supervisor.

• Set-up and operates a packaging machine in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.

• Set-up machinery and ensure all production materials are available.

• Set-up the machine according to the work instructions and job routers.

Stand

Stand at Production Line and check plastic bottles for defects.

Start

Start dryers up at the beginning of each shift.

Support

• Support Lead Technician and / or Supervisor in mold machine and mold set up and break down.

• Support the machine operator in monitoring the production process for efficiency and accuracy.

• Support the Quality Policy and Quality Objectives.

Take

• Take that first one by applying to be a machine operator helper.

• Take that first one by learning how to operate a CNC Laser.

Transfer

Transfer tubes from production line to boxes / pallets.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot problems during machine operation.

Unload

Unload stock materials from trucks and rail cars.

Use

• Use proper safety gear when performing assigned tasks.

• Use skill to monitor machine to make sure the process is completed from start to finish.

Verify

• Verify material that is running on the equipment and monitors the material supply.

• Verify weights of filled containers emerging from processing or packaging machines.

Wear

Wear appropriate PPE at all times according to safety rules.

Work

• Work overtime, including Saturdays.

• Work the entirety of the shift on feet.

• Work within a team environment and communicate effectively with others.

• Work with maintenance, quality control, etc. to resolve any issues.

Wrap

Wrap, stack and band material or products.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Machine Operator Helper:

1. Equipment operation and maintenance

2. Machinery setup and calibration

3. Quality control and inspection techniques

4. Basic troubleshooting and repairs

5. Materials handling and inventory management

6. Technical understanding of manufacturing processes

7. Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures

8. Record-keeping and data entry skills

9. Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and instructions

10. Basic understanding of mechanical and electrical systems

11. Proficiency in using hand and power tools

12. Familiarity with computerized systems and software used in production environments

13. Forklift or other material-handling equipment operation

14. Knowledge of manufacturing safety standards and regulations

15. Understanding of lean manufacturing principles

16. Proficiency in using measurement tools and instruments

17. Knowledge of basic mathematics and calculations

18. Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) accurately

19. Physical stamina and ability to perform manual tasks for extended periods

20. Adherence to quality and productivity standards

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Machine Operator Helper:

1. Strong attention to detail

2. Effective communication skills

3. Teamwork and collaboration

4. Time management and organizational skills

5. Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic work environment

6. Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities

7. Ability to follow instructions and work independently

8. Positive attitude and willingness to learn

9. Reliability and dependability

10. Commitment to workplace safety and adherence to protocols

Conclusion

As a Machine Operator Helper, possessing a combination of these hard and soft skills will not only make you a valuable asset in the industry but also enhance your career prospects. By fulfilling your responsibilities effectively and continuously improving your skills, you can contribute to the smooth operation of machinery and help optimize production processes.