Food Batchmakers

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

Also called: Batching Operator, Blender, Brewing Technician, Compounder, Dosier Operator, Dough Scaler, Mix Technician, Mixer, Mixer Operator, Syrup Maker, Almond Paste Mixer, Back of House Team Member, Batch Blender, Batch Maker, Batch Mixer, Batcher, Batter Mixer, Biscuit Maker, Blend Operator, Blender Operator, Blending Machine Operator, Blow Up Operator, Bologna Maker, Bran Mixer, Bread Molder, Brewery Technician, Brine Maker, Brine Mixer Operator, Cake Maker, Candy Decorator, Candy Dipper, Candy Forming Machine Operator, Candy Maker, Candy Polisher, Candy Puller, Caramel Maker, Cereal Maker, Cheese Maker, Cheese Monger, Cheese Processor, Cheesemaker, Chicken Stuffer, Chili Maker, Chocolate Temperer, Chocolatier, Churn Operator, Churner, Cocoa Powder Mixer Operator, Coffee Blender, Colorer, Colorist Dyer, Compound Mixer, Conche Operator, Confectioner, Core Sucker, Cottage Cheese Maker, Cream Beater, Cruller Maker, Custom Feed Corn Operator, Donut Maker, Dough Brake Machine Operator, Dough Braker, Dough Catcher, Dough Cutter, Dough Cutting Machine Operator, Dough Machine Operator, Dough Maker, Dough Mixer, Dough Mixing Machine Operator, Dough Molder, Dough Panner, Dough Puncher, Dough Raiser, Dough Roller, Doughnut Glazier, Dry Starch Operator, Flavor Extractor, Flavorings Compounder, Flour Blender, Flour Mixer, Food Processing Operator, Food Processor, Food Production Worker, Formula Mixer, Frozen Yogurt Maker, Grated Cheese Maker, Honey Blender, Honey Grader, Ice Cream Machine Operator, Ice Cream Maker, Ice Cream Mixer, Icing Mixer, Ingredient Handler, Jelly Maker, Juice Mixer, Juicer, Kitchen Operator, Kneader, Lard Mixer, Liquid Flavor Compounder, Liquid Sugar Fortifier, Liquid Sugar Melter, Macaroni Maker, Maker, Marshmallow Machine Operator, Marshmallow Maker, Marshmallow Runner, Marzipan Maker, Mash Grinder, Mayonnaise Mixer, Melangeur Operator, Mineral Mixer, Mingle Operator, Mixer Tender, Noodle Maker, Noodle Press Operator, Oleomargarine Maker, Pasta Maker, Pasta Press Operator, Peanut Butter Maker, Pickle Maker, Pickle Solution Maker, Pickler, Pickling Solution Maker, Pie Filler, Popcorn Machine Operator, Production Associate, Production Team Member, Refined Syrup Operator, Relish Maker, Sausage Grinder, Sausage Machine Operator, Sausage Mixer, Seasoning Mixer, Soup Mixer, Spice Blender, Spice Mixer, Spice Room Worker, Spinner, Sugar Mixer, Syrup Mixer, Taffy Puller, Tortilla Maker, Vinegar Maker, Vinegar Operator, Wet Mixer, Whipped Topping Finisher, Wine Blender

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Record production and test data for each food product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle.
Clean and sterilize vats and factory processing areas.
Set up, operate, and tend equipment that cooks, mixes, blends, or processes ingredients in the manufacturing of food products, according to formulas or recipes.
Mix or blend ingredients, according to recipes, using a paddle or an agitator, or by controlling vats that heat and mix ingredients.
Follow recipes to produce food products of specified flavor, texture, clarity, bouquet, or color.
Give directions to other workers who are assisting in the batchmaking process.
Select and measure or weigh ingredients, using English or metric measures and balance scales.
Press switches and turn knobs to start, adjust, and regulate equipment, such as beaters, extruders, discharge pipes, and salt pumps.
Determine mixing sequences, based on knowledge of temperature effects and of the solubility of specific ingredients.
Observe and listen to equipment to detect possible malfunctions, such as leaks or plugging, and report malfunctions or undesirable tastes to supervisors.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Coordination
Operation and Control
Writing
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Mathematics

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (37.83% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

36,350–49,670 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-3092.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (37.83% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Food Batchmakers