Careers
A Day in the Life of a Multi-Machine Operator
Multi-machine operators run all the various production machines in our four line plant. Production forklift operators supply raw materials for the lines as well as remove the completed product from the line. Everyone works together. The goal is to be trained for all of the machines in the plant. The beverage lines weave through our plant, taking product from the filler to the packer, up the carousel, and across the plant to the palletizer.
Depending on the flavor we’re running, it’s my job to load the machines with the right containers and the appropriate lids or caps. Once the line is up and running, my focus shifts to more of an auditing role. In other words, I’m the person who makes sure no defects or problems pop up while the bottles and cans are being filled and or packaged.
You could say I am the eyes and ears of the beverage line...
Our day begins by checking the schedule to see what types of products we’ll be running during our shift. If we’re starting with 12-pack cans, for example, I’ll load the line with cans and lids while the filler operator checks to make sure the right syrup is attached to the filler. There are several 5,000 gallon tanks in the syrup room with pipes leading to all the fillers. We use a touchpad computer screen to select the syrup we need for a run and draw it into the filler.
If we’re handling bottles, a forklift driver will actually carry the empty bottles on a pallet and place them on the line. When I turn on the production line, the bottles are “depalletized”, or removed from the pallet, and carried on a conveyor to the filler.
After the line is up and running, we track the bottles and cans along the belt to make sure they aren’t tipping over or falling off the line. That’s the easy part.
Mechanical issues are another matter...
If one of the operators on my line spots a quality issue, we call our supervisor and notify him or her that there’s a problem. If it’s a machine breakdown or a problem with the conveyors, I will call in a mechanic. He’s usually there within a minute or so.
After we’ve completed a run, there is a flavor changeover. Then all the machine operators clear the line of the containers we were running and put the new cans or bottles on. We also have to replace the lids or caps.
Its’ a pretty fast-paced environment...
Everything around you seems to be in constant motion. But all that movement seems to make the day go by faster. It’s also nice to have someone around to back you up in case something slips. Teamwork is the key to maintaining our quality and efficiency standards.
After all, we are all in this together.
Angela, Machine Operator, Raleigh.
