Production workers support manufacturing operations by pulling parts, handling assembly line tasks and cleaning equipment. They may rotate roles or repeat specific actions related to fabrication. They may cut, align and solder materials to create components. Some make adjustments, calibrate parts and carry out quality inspections.
Because the work tends to be hands-on, a production worker job description often lists qualities such as physical stamina and strength. Production workers may handle very small components, requiring a fair amount of dexterity. Those who work with electrical and electronic parts should have good color vision to deal with color-coded wires.
Mechanical skills are useful for those who operate machines. Being able to interpret technical drawings and schematics is necessary for many roles. For an example of how to organize your production worker job description, refer to the sample below.
Production Worker Job Summary
Do you enjoy building things with your hands? Our assembly line manager is looking for an additional production worker. You’ll work right in the middle of the factory, having a key role in the manufacturing of our products. When you aren’t setting up and testing circuits, you’ll be assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of equipment. New supplies arrive regularly to the shop floor, and we’ll need you to inspect raw materials before they’re brought into the assembly line. You’ll learn our products inside and out, applying your knowledge to conquer new challenges. We give regular feedback and training to our employees to help them grow, and we reward their service whenever we can by promoting supervisors and managers from within.
Job Responsibilities
- Use screwdrivers and soldering guns to open, adjust and secure components, testing circuits for continuity before allowing them to pass down the line, wearing electrostatic discharge protection at all times
- Turn valves, control pumps, read gauges and record data following your supervisor’s instructions and staying attentive to what’s happening up and downstream of your station
- Troubleshoot jams, tolerance issues and failures, striving to determine the root cause and making recommendations for permanent solutions
- Assist mechanics with lockdown of machinery for maintenance, repairs and new installations
- Disassemble defective parts and dispose of them according to their recycling classifications
- Separate components into individual containers, refilling them as needed and applying lids at the end of your shift to keep contaminants out
- Count and inspect finished goods, advising your supervisor of any discrepancies or defects
- Wrap, pack and transfer products into boxes according to order forms, then onto palettes and into the warehouse with utmost care
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- High school diploma or GED
- Technical-minded with an understanding of college algebra
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Able to maintain a clean and safe platform
Preferred:
- Associate’s degree or technical diploma
- Forklift operating experience
Production Worker Job Responsibilities
The job responsibilities section of your production worker job description will likely take up the most time to write as well as the most space on the page. This can pay off, because letting jobseekers know expected day-to-day responsibilities helps ensure that you’ll get applicants who are well informed and more prepared to meet your expectations from day one. A well-written responsibilities section can also limit the number of applications you receive from people who aren’t prepared or willing to do the job.
To summarize some of the tips provided, use a bullet-point format to clearly organize and list job responsibilities so jobseekers can easily absorb this information. Aim to have at least six bullet points, but remember that an overly long list can come across as overwhelming. Beginning each bullet point with a strong verb will give your production worker job description both concision and the solid language it needs to communicate daily tasks.
What follows are some examples of well-written production worker job responsibilities:
- Load products onto conveyors, completing a last-line quality check in the process
- Operate machinery when required and direct operators when fulfilling duties on the production line
- Perform regular cleaning and maintenance of machinery
- Dispose of production and machinery waste daily, following all industry standards for waste removal
- Maintain organized storage space for raw materials
- Transfer products and their materials safely between different areas of the warehouse
Production Worker Job Specifications
In your production worker job description, you’ll undoubtedly spend much of your time on the job responsibilities section. However, avoid the temptation to rush through the job qualifications and skills section. This is where jobseekers can quickly learn whether they meet the requirements for the position. Workers who don’t meet your minimum standards are less likely to submit applications and take up your time if you pay close attention to crafting this section.
To make your list of skills and qualifications specific and targeted to the production worker role, solicit the help of a hiring manager or production supervisor. These individuals likely have valuable input as to what minimum qualifications they need to see in any potential candidates. By including this on your production worker job description, you help jobseekers meet their standards.
Take a look at these examples of production worker job specifications to help you write your own:
- High school diploma or GED
- 1–2 years’ experience as a production worker in a manufacturing environment
- Ability to lift 120 lbs
- Knowledge of transfer and distribution of goods
- Ability to expedite workflow based on manufacturing priorities
- Experience in meeting product fulfillment dates and adhering to shipping schedules
- Ability to perform basic quality control