94111 – Plastics processing machine operators

Lead statement

Mixing machine operators set up and operate mixing machines used in the manufacture of plastic parts and products.

Main duties

• Weigh resins, colorants and other chemicals according to formula
• Place weighed materials in mixing machine and operate machine to blend plastic and other chemicals to a specified consistency or viscosity
• Monitor operation, regulate material supply and add chemicals and colorants to mixture
• Operate controls to regulate temperature, speed and other processing conditions
• Unload mixture into container or conveyor for further processing
• Maintain and perform minor repairs on machinery as required
• Maintain inventory of material and clean working area.
• Set up and operate calendering machines which transform dough-consistent plastic mass into continuous sheets or films of specified thickness
• Troubleshoot, maintain and make minor repairs to equipment and adjust calender rollers for production line change
• Monitor quality of material produced
• Set up and operate one or more extruding machines which extrude plastic composites products through a nozzle or die
• Change dies on extruding machines according to production line change
• Troubleshoot, maintain and make minor repairs to equipment
• Set up and operate one or more moulding machines which mould plastic products according to specifications
• Change moulds and adjust equipment for production line change
• Monitor quality of material produced and adjust machine settings as required
• Follow formulation card to mix ingredient batches for injection moulding process

Employment requirements

• For all operators in this unit group, completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Several years of experience as a helper, tender or packer in the same company may be required.
• Completion of a statistical process control (SPC) course may be required.
• On-the-job training is provided.
• Completion of courses in hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics systems may be required for moulding process operators.

Example job titles

grinder operator - plastic manufacturing · plastic mixer operator · plastics-blending machine tender · plastics machine operator · calender operator - plastic manufacturing · calendering machine tender - plastic manufacturing · plastic compounder · plastics strainer operator · plastics processing compounder · extruder operator - plastic manufacturing · extrusion machine operator - plastic manufacturing · extruding machine operator - plastic manufacturing · plastic extruder operator · plastic-extrusion operator · plastic pipe production worker · profile extrusion operator · moulder operator - plastic manufacturing · plastics press operator · plastics moulder · plastics-moulding machine operator · rotational moulding operator · injection moulding processing operator

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.