Description
Operate and tend steam-jacketed kettles to heat, mix, and react materials for industrial or consumer products; control temperature, pressure, agitation, and flow, monitor process conditions, sample products, and clean and maintain kettle systems in accordance with safety and batch specifications.
- • Set and adjust steam pressure, jacket temperature, agitation speed, and feed rates per batch sheets.
- • Monitor gauges, thermometers, sight glasses, and flowmeters to maintain specified conditions.
- • Operate kettles and auxiliary pumps, valves, and agitators during batch processing.
- • Measure, weigh, and charge ingredients into kettles according to formulations.
- • Open and close valves; start and stop pumps, agitators, and automatic feeds.
- • Draw in-process samples at specified stages.
- • Test samples for pH, viscosity, concentration, or specific gravity, or send to the lab.
- • Compare color, odor, and consistency to standards and instrument readings.
- • Record batch data such as temperatures, pressures, times, ingredient lots, and test results.
- • Observe safety precautions for steam, pressure, hot surfaces, and flammables to prevent fires or explosions.
- • Inspect kettles, steam lines, seals, and instruments for leaks or malfunctions; shut down if necessary.
- • Notify maintenance of equipment issues; perform minor repairs and lubrication with hand tools.
- • Add neutralizing or treating agents and pump product through filters to remove impurities or finish batches.
- • Read and follow batch records, SOPs, and plant specifications; implement prescribed changes.
- • Drain kettles and flush, clean, or sanitize using steam hoses or clean-in-place systems.
- • Patrol the work area to detect leaks, abnormal sounds, or off-spec conditions.
- • Implement emergency response procedures for spills, overpressure, or fires.
- • Dump or scoop solid, granular, or powdered materials safely to minimize dust and exposure.
- • Estimate and stage materials required for scheduled batches.
- • Maintain inventory of ingredients and supplies used at the kettles.
- • Verify calibration and operation of safety devices and instruments before start-up.
- • Transfer finished product to drums, totes, or downstream equipment as specified.
- • Direct helpers during charging, transfers, or verification of process steps.
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Advanced Manufacturing
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
