What Does a Processing Assistant Do?

Processing assistants are professionals who manage the equipment used to turn materials such as rubber, plastic, or paper into finished products for manufacturing firms to sell. A person who seeks to become a processing assistant typically must have a high school diploma or the equivalent certification, although employers often will accept job candidates who have completed some high school. He or she also needs to be able to lift a certain amount of weight and be able to work quickly.

A major responsibility of a processing assistant is to prepare machines and materials for use. For instance, this type of professional has to ensure that his or her equipment’s components are set at correct measurements to accommodate materials that must be joined together to result in finished products. As a result, he or she needs to be able to understand the requirements listed in work orders. Good manual dexterity is also necessary to situate the materials in appropriate places and positions so that they are affixed correctly. Correctly loading his or her unit with necessary adhesives constitutes a job requirement as well.

Managing equipment during the processing phase is critical for a position in this industry. This includes switching the machine on and operating the unit’s devices to allow materials to pass through in certain time frames and at appropriate pressure and temperature levels. If a piece of material becomes caught in a machine, a processing assistant has the task of removing it and making any necessary alterations to the equipment to ensure that the remainder of the manufacturing procedure runs smoothly.

Following the creation of a product, a person in this field must check the quality of his or her work and strive to continuously improve in this area. For example, he or she needs to measure a finished product to ensure that it meets written specifications for the object. The processing assistant also should retain documents on the types of goods produced and their measurements for future reference before transporting final products to assigned storage areas at his or her organization. Tracking inventory additionally might be part of this individual’s job duties.

Keeping up with maintenance activities constitutes a valuable part of this career area. A processing assistant needs to clean his or her machine regularly to avoid the buildup of dust, dirt, and other debris that could stifle the unit’s long-term operation. In addition, he or she has to relay information regarding any equipment defects to his or her supervisor if he or she cannot fix them himself or herself.