In the food industry, a batch maker operates machinery that mixes and blends ingredients for mass-produced products. He or she usually weighs ingredients and keeps track of the temperatures used in each batch of baking or cooking. A batch maker tests the mixture on a regular basis to ensure consistency in taste, texture, and color. Batch makers are employed in the metallurgy industry, and they operate equipment that grinds metal balls into powder.
Batch makers work in food processing plants where large amounts of food are mixed and cooked in one operation. The batch maker is in charge of ensuring the quality of each individual ingredient as well as the final product. He or she ensures that the recipe is followed and that the food is cooked at the correct temperature.
This person is in charge of turning on mixers, blenders, and ovens that are used to prepare packaged foods. The batch maker must be able to quickly identify and correct any equipment malfunctions caused by clogs, leaks, or other mechanical issues. Throughout the process, he or she reads gauges to ensure that each concoction is made correctly.
Some batch makers measure each ingredient that goes into processed food by hand. They may use precise scales to ensure that each blend contains the exact amount of salt or other flavoring. Scales used in the food-processing industry are also used by batch makers to measure large quantities of ingredients.
A batch maker must be able to follow the exact steps required to manufacture the product. He or she is usually well-versed in the raw materials used in the food industry and how they interact. During production, the batch maker can detect subtle differences in taste or texture and make adjustments to correct inconsistencies.
The majority of people who work in this field have completed secondary school and have received on-the-job training. Others earn a diploma or certification in the field of food service or a related field. Sanitation courses typically prepare a batch maker for the sterilization of equipment between batches of food. This occupation necessitates strong math skills.
This employee works in the metallurgy industry, where he or she operates grinders that grind metal balls into powder. Before flushing each batch with water, he or she inserts the raw material into special machines. Before transferring the product onto drying trays, a metallurgy batch maker ensures that filters are in place in the equipment to separate the water from the powder.