Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

What the job really is

Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9023
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements.
• Read work orders to determine production specifications or information.
• Observe production or monitor equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.
• Mix or blend ingredients by starting machines and mixing for specified times.
• Stop mixing or blending machines when specified product qualities are obtained and open valves and start pumps to transfer mixtures.
• Compound or process ingredients or dyes, according to formulas.
• Examine materials, ingredients, or products visually or with hands to ensure conformance to established standards.
• Operate or tend machines to mix or blend any of a wide variety of materials, such as spices, dough batter, tobacco, fruit juices, chemicals, livestock feed, food products, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
• Dump or pour specified amounts of materials into machinery or equipment.
• Record operational or production data on specified forms.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory testing.
• Unload mixtures into containers or onto conveyors for further processing.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, SAP software, Adjustable wrenches, Claw hammers, Desktop computers, Dollies, Email software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Food Batchmakers
• Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
• Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.