JOB DESCRIPTIONSenior Production Operator – Beverage Manufacturing

Industry: Beverage / FMCG Manufacturing
Department: Production & Plant Operations
Experience Required: 5–10 Years
Employment Type: Full time
Reporting To: Production Manager / Plant Head
Job Location: As per company requirement

1. Job Objective

To independently operate, set up, monitor, and maintain beverage manufacturing and packaging lines, including Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD), hot-fill beverage lines, and Tetra Pak packaging systems. The candidate must possess comprehensive technical knowledge of the complete production process, from water treatment and beverage preparation to filling, packaging, quality control, and finished-product handling.

The candidate must be capable of managing complete plant operations, conducting machine changeovers, diagnosing technical faults, and ensuring consistent product quality, production efficiency, and compliance with food safety standards.

2. Key ResponsibilitiesA. Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) Plant Operations

- Independently operate and manage the complete CSD production line.
- Handle water treatment and RO systems, syrup preparation, sugar dissolving, filtration, blending, and beverage formulation as per approved recipes.
- Operate and monitor chilling systems, beverage carbonation equipment, CO₂ dosing, and mixing systems.
- Manage bottle rinsing, filling, capping, labelling, batch coding, conveyors, shrink wrapping, and secondary packaging.
- Understand and control carbonation levels, beverage temperature, syrup-to-water ratios, filling volumes, and product consistency.
- Perform machine setup, line balancing, changeovers, and production parameter adjustments.
- Troubleshoot filling inconsistencies, foaming, carbonation loss, leakage, capping defects, and conveyor-related problems.
- Ensure correct coordination between the beverage preparation section and the packaging line.

B. Hot-Fill Beverage Plant Operations

- Operate the complete hot-fill beverage processing and packaging line.
- Handle juice preparation, blending, filtration, homogenisation where applicable, pasteurisation, and thermal processing.
- Monitor product temperature, holding time, flow rate, and other critical process parameters as specified in the validated production process.
- Operate hot-fill fillers, suitable capping systems, bottle handling equipment, cooling systems, and downstream packaging machinery.
- Ensure correct coordination between processing, filling, capping, cooling, and packaging operations.
- Understand the importance of thermal processing, hygienic filling, product stability, and prevention of post-process contamination.
- Identify and rectify filling-temperature deviations, leakage, improper sealing, bottle deformation, and processing interruptions.
- Maintain accurate batch records, temperature logs, production records, and cleaning documentation.

C. Tetra Pak Plant Operations

- Possess practical operating knowledge of the complete Tetra Pak packaging setup installed at the plant.
- Understand machine startup, shutdown, production preparation, packaging-material loading, and format changeovers.
- Operate filling and packaging equipment according to the specific machine model and product application.




- Understand aseptic processing and packaging principles wherever applicable to the installed system.
- Monitor critical operating parameters, alarms, machine performance, packaging integrity, and production output.
- Perform routine operator-level troubleshooting for sealing defects, packaging-material feed problems, filling inaccuracies, and machine stoppages.
- Carry out approved cleaning, sanitation, and CIP procedures, including SIP where applicable to the equipment.
- Coordinate with authorised technical service personnel for specialised repairs, aseptic-system faults, and major maintenance.
- Maintain records of production efficiency, downtime, wastage, and packaging-material consumption.

D. Complete Plant Setup & Commissioning

- Understand the complete plant layout, utility connections, process flow, and coordination between production sections.
- Assist in installation, machine alignment, utility connection verification, trial production, and commissioning of new machinery.
- Verify readiness of water treatment, air compressors, chilled water, cooling systems, steam or hot-water systems, CO₂ supply, and electrical utilities as applicable.
- Conduct pre-startup inspections and confirm machine readiness before production.
- Perform trial runs, product changeovers, machine parameter setting, and production stabilisation.
- Read and interpret machine manuals, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs;), electrical drawings, and operating instructions.
- Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, quality, and maintenance teams to resolve operational issues.
- Train junior operators and helpers in safe machine operation and standard operating procedures.

E. Preventive Maintenance & Troubleshooting

- Perform routine inspection, cleaning, lubrication, and preventive maintenance as authorised.
- Identify abnormal machine vibration, pressure fluctuations, temperature variations, air leaks, mechanical wear, and electrical or sensor-related faults.
- Troubleshoot pumps, valves, motors, conveyors, filling heads, capping systems, sensors, and pneumatic components within the candidate's competence.
- Maintain machine maintenance logs and report recurring faults.
- Follow lockout/tagout and electrical isolation procedures before maintenance activities.
- Coordinate with qualified technicians for electrical panel work, PLC modifications, pressure-system repairs, and other specialised tasks.

F. Quality Control, Hygiene & Food Safety

- Follow GMP, GHP, HACCP-based controls, and applicable FSSAI requirements.
- Maintain production hygiene, equipment cleanliness, and personnel safety.
- Ensure accurate batch coding, traceability, and compliance with approved product specifications.
- Monitor critical quality parameters in coordination with the Quality Control team.
- Prevent cross-contamination, incorrect ingredient dosing, packaging defects, and unauthorised recipe changes.
- Ensure proper cleaning and sanitation of product-contact equipment.
- Immediately report deviations in product quality,



processing conditions, packaging integrity, or food safety.

G. Production Planning & Reporting

- Execute daily production plans and achieve assigned output targets.
- Monitor line efficiency, downtime, product wastage, and packaging-material consumption.
- Maintain production registers, machine logs, cleaning records, and shift handover reports.
- Coordinate with stores, quality control, maintenance, and production management.
- Ensure proper material utilisation and minimise avoidable production losses.

3. Technical Qualifications & Experience

- ITI, Diploma, or Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Food Technology, or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum 5–10 years of relevant experience in beverage manufacturing.
- Strong practical knowledge of CSD and hot-fill beverage production lines.
- Hands-on experience with Tetra Pak filling and packaging systems is essential.
- Knowledge of RO plants, syrup rooms, beverage blending, carbonation, pasteurisation, CIP, and production utilities.
- Ability to independently conduct machine startup, shutdown, format changeovers, troubleshooting, and routine preventive maintenance.
- Understanding of PLC/HMI-based machine controls and industrial safety procedures.
- Ability to read technical manuals, operating diagrams, and machine instructions.

4. Essential Skills

- Strong technical troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Ability to independently manage production-line operations.
- Knowledge of beverage processing, filling, sealing, and packaging technology.
- Ability to supervise operators, helpers, and production-line personnel.
- Strong focus on hygiene, product quality, safety, and production efficiency.
- Willingness to work in shifts and during planned maintenance or commissioning activities.

5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Production target achievement.
- Machine uptime and line efficiency.
- Reduction in product and packaging-material wastage.
- Compliance with quality and food safety standards.
- Reduction in machine breakdowns and recurring faults.
- Accurate production, cleaning, and maintenance records.
- Successful machine changeovers and startup performance.
- Adherence to safety procedures and preventive maintenance schedules.

6. Compensation & Benefits

- Salary commensurate with technical expertise and relevant experience.
- Performance-based incentives, where applicable.
- Accommodation, meals, or travel support as per company policy.
- Opportunities to work across multiple beverage processing and packaging technologies.

7. Candidate Assessment

Candidates must demonstrate practical knowledge of the specific CSD, hot-fill, and Tetra Pak equipment installed at the facility. Selection may include a technical interview, review of previous plant experience, and a practical assessment of machine operation, troubleshooting, sanitation, and production startup.

Application Requirements: Submit an updated CV mentioning years of experience, beverage plants previously handled, specific Tetra Pak machine model and type, CSD and hot-fill line capacities, and experience in installation or commissioning.

Pay: ₹20,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month

Benefits:

- Food provided

Experience:

- Factory: 10 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Senior Operator (Jalpaiguri)
🏢 Kaveri Foods & Beverages
📍 Jalpaiguri