Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.

Also Known As:

Bean Roaster Coffee Roaster Line Operator Machine Operator Oven Operator Oven Technician Roast Master Roaster Roaster Operator Roasterman

Wages

Hourly

Annual wages for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in United States

Job Outlook Below Average

New job opportunities are less likely in the future

United States 2033 Projected Employment

20,000

2% Change From 2023

Explore Food Batchmakers video

Tasks you might complete in a day.

Set temperature and time controls, light ovens, burners, driers, or roasters, and start equipment, such as conveyors, cylinders, blowers, driers, or pumps.
Clear or dislodge blockages in bins, screens, or other equipment, using poles, brushes, or mallets.
Fill or remove product from trays, carts, hoppers, or equipment, using scoops, peels, or shovels, or by hand.
Operate or tend equipment that roasts, bakes, dries, or cures food items such as cocoa and coffee beans, grains, nuts, and bakery products.
Test products for moisture content, using moisture meters.
Observe temperature, humidity, pressure gauges, and product samples and adjust controls, such as thermostats and valves, to maintain prescribed operating conditions for specific stages.
Observe, feel, taste, or otherwise examine products during and after processing to ensure conformance to standards.
Weigh or measure products, using scale hoppers or scale conveyors.
Take product samples during or after processing for laboratory analyses.
Weigh or measure products, using scale hoppers or scale conveyors.
Observe flow of materials and listen for machine malfunctions, such as jamming or spillage, and notify supervisors if corrective actions fail.
Observe flow of materials and listen for machine malfunctions, such as jamming or spillage, and notify supervisors if corrective actions fail.
Open valves, gates, or chutes or use shovels to load or remove products from ovens or other equipment.
Set temperature and time controls, light ovens, burners, driers, or roasters, and start equipment, such as conveyors, cylinders, blowers, driers, or pumps.
Observe, feel, taste, or otherwise examine products during and after processing to ensure conformance to standards.
Record production data, such as weight and amount of product processed, type of product, and time and temperature of processing.
Read work orders to determine quantities and types of products to be baked, dried, or roasted.
Push racks or carts to transfer products to storage, cooling stations, or the next stage of processing.
Clean equipment with steam, hot water, and hoses.
Start conveyors to move roasted grain to cooling pans and agitate grain with rakes as blowers force air through perforated bottoms of pans.
Install equipment, such as spray units, cutting blades, or screens, using hand tools.
Smooth out products in bins, pans, trays, or conveyors, using rakes or shovels.
Signal coworkers to synchronize flow of materials.

Subject areas you may need to master.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
History and Archeology - Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Foreign Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Strengths you may need in this role.

Operations Analysis - Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
Persuasion - Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
Complex Problem Solving - Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
Negotiation - Bringing people together to solve differences.
Writing - Writing things for co-workers or customers.
Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
Programming - Writing computer programs.
Service Orientation - Looking for ways to help people.
Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials.
Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works.
Coordination - Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
Judgment and Decision Making - Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Systems Analysis - Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Speaking - Talking to others.
Mathematics - Using math to solve problems.
Critical Thinking - Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
Active Learning - Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
Reading Comprehension - Reading work-related information.
Active Listening - Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Operation and Control - Using equipment or systems.
Time Management - Managing your time and the time of other people.
Social Perceptiveness - Understanding people's reactions.
Management of Personnel Resources - Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
Instructing - Teaching people how to do something.
Learning Strategies - Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
Technology Design - Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
Systems Evaluation - Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
Monitoring - Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
Oral Comprehension - Listening and understanding what people say.
Problem Sensitivity - Noticing when problems happen.
Inductive Reasoning - Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
Perceptual Speed - Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Visualization - Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
Trunk Strength - Using your lower back and stomach.
Night Vision - Seeing at night or under low light.
Explosive Strength - Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
Reaction Time - Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
Stamina - Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
Written Expression - Communicating by writing.
Memorization - Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
Flexibility of Closure - Seeing hidden patterns.
Spatial Orientation - Knowing where things are around you.
Time Sharing - Doing two or more things at the same time.
Rate Control - Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
Mathematical Reasoning - Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
Multilimb Coordination - Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
Gross Body Equilibrium - Keeping your balance or staying upright.
Arm-Hand Steadiness - Keeping your arm or hand steady.
Visual Color Discrimination - Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
Auditory Attention - Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
Written Comprehension - Reading and understanding what is written.
Manual Dexterity - Holding or moving items with your hands.
Wrist-Finger Speed - Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
Originality - Creating new and original ideas.
Deductive Reasoning - Using rules to solve problems.
Selective Attention - Paying attention to something without being distracted.
Response Orientation - Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
Finger Dexterity - Putting together small parts with your fingers.
Dynamic Flexibility - Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Gross Body Coordination - Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
Peripheral Vision - Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
Sound Localization - Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
Extent Flexibility - Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Number Facility - Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
Dynamic Strength - Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
Near Vision - Seeing details up close.
Hearing Sensitivity - Telling the difference between sounds.
Oral Expression - Communicating by speaking.
Depth Perception - Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
Speech Clarity - Speaking clearly.
Category Flexibility - Grouping things in different ways.
Control Precision - Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
Static Strength - Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
Speed of Closure - Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
Far Vision - Seeing details that are far away.
Information Ordering - Ordering or arranging things.
Speed of Limb Movement - Quickly moving your arms and legs.
Speech Recognition - Recognizing spoken words.
Fluency of Ideas - Coming up with lots of ideas.
Glare Sensitivity - Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.