A Food Maintenance Technician tests and maintains heavy-duty machinery to keep food production lines going
The packaged food we consume is made using heavy duty machinery – large scale mixers, blenders, friers, ovens, dispensers, and freezers. These machines are very carefully designed and programmed to make sure they produce food that is safe to eat and tastes good.
If any of the machines stops working, it blocks the whole production line. Regular tests and maintenance are required to stop breakdowns from happening. You could be the technician who takes care of this oversized kitchen equipment and keeps food production going.
If you’re most interested in the machinery part of the role, you could become a senior engineer who leads a team. If you’re more interested in how the ingredients in the machines behave, you could get involved in food innovation.
You’ll have the opportunity to work with big food manufacturers who send products all over the world, and may choose to specialise in a particular category of food or drink.
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
Options available after GCSEs:
More options available after that:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
You’ll probably work for a large food or drink manufacturer, supporting the production of brands you see on the supermarket shelves every day and enjoy at home. You might get involved in taste testing of different products, particularly when new or improved recipes are being trialled.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Advanced Operators
Manufacturing Technician
Process Development Technician
Process Technician
Technical Operator
