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Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

O*NET files this work under Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: people who set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients. The skills rated most useful are operations monitoring, operation and control, and troubleshooting. The job can ask you to weigh or measure materials, ingredients, or products to ensure conformance to requirements. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 6.6 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is RCI and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need helping, teaching or caring for people.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Troubleshooting
  • Time Management
  • Repairing
  • Reading Comprehension

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and operation and control.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.1 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Batchmaker
  • Blender
  • Blending Technician (Blending Tech)
  • Ink Blender
  • Issuing Operator

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.