Manufacturing operator
Be part of a team making goods or parts, from sorting raw materials to packing the finished products.
Also known as: production worker, production assistant, process operative, factory worker
About the job
What it's like
You would work as part of a team making goods or parts in industries like pharmaceuticals, food and drink, construction and engineering.
For example, you might operate a conveyor line in a canning factory. Or you could put together goods on a production line. This could involve fitting circuit boards into items such as computers. You would need to work quickly and methodically.
You would:
Measure and grade raw materials
Feed raw materials into production machinery
Operate production line equipment
Assemble goods on a production line
Report equipment faults to maintenance staff
Finish products, for example by applying protective coatings
Monitor the production process and carry out basic testing and quality checks
Store goods and raw materials in the factory or warehouse
Use lifting equipment and forklift trucks
Pack goods ready for shipment in crates or other containers
Clean and maintain work areas and machinery
You would usually work as part of a team under the supervision of a shift leader, carrying out several tasks within the same shift.
Working with machinery means you would need to follow health and safety rules carefully. You’d also need to be able to concentrate for a long time whilst doing repetitive tasks.
Hours
You could work full-time or part-time, covering a variety of shifts, including days, nights and weekends. Overtime is often available.
Environment
Most of your work would take place in a factory on a production line. You may spend a lot of your time standing while operating machinery, or sitting at a workbench or assembly line. You would normally wear protective clothing, such as overalls and safety shoes.
Other careers that you might like
Sewing machinist
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Food and drink Chemical sciences
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- machinery
- production line
- development environment
- machine operation
- production process
- occupational safety and health
- food preparation
- material handling
- cleanrooms
- operational databases
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- time management
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- observation
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Engineering Science
Practical Craft Skills
Practical Electronics
Practical Metalwork
Skills for Work: Engineering Skills
There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF level 4/5.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as:
a forklift truck licence
Scottish Vocational Qualification in Industrial Application (SVQ level 2)
Or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Manufacturing operator'
