Plastics Processing Machine Operators
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Job description
These individuals set up and operate machines that make plastic parts and products. They work for plastic product manufacturers.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Hazardous chemical
- Odours
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Noise
- Fire, steam, hot surfaces
Main tasks
- Weigh the chemicals (resins, dyes, etc.) according to the appropriate formulas, pour them into the mixer, and mix to the desired consistency.
- Monitor operations, control material supplies, and add chemicals and dyes to mixtures.
- Set various conditions (temperature, speed, etc.) during processing.
- Operate machines that transform plastic masses into sheets or films and give them a shape.
- Transfer mixtures into containers or conveyors.
- Mix batches of injection moulding ingredients.
- Replace dies and moulds.
- Investigate the cause of breakdowns, make minor repairs, as required, and maintain machines.
- Check product quality and adjust machine controls as required.
- Maintain inventory of materials and clean the work area.
Advancement and mobility
- There is some mobility between operators in this group.
- Experience allows access to supervisory positions.
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $16.21
- Median
- $23.60
- Maximum
- $30.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Les 2 champs de sélection ci-dessous vous permettent de comparer 2 régions. Les données des régions seront automatiquement mises à jour à la sélection. Par défaut, la province de Québec est sélectionnée pour la première région.
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Very good
All of Québec
Non available
Limited
Good
Very good
Non available
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
4,500
All of Québec
na
Gender distribution
All of Québec
Not available.
- 25.1% Female
- 74.9% Male
Not available.
- 25.1% Female
- 74.9% Male
Job types
All of Québec
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Not available.
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
$42,800
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 32676% of jobs
-
NAICS 324, 3253% of jobs
-
NAICS 3393% of jobs
-
NAICS 412% of jobs
-
NAICS 3322% of jobs
-
Others14% of jobs
All of Québec
Not available.
-
NAICS 32676% of jobs
-
NAICS 324, 3253% of jobs
-
NAICS 3393% of jobs
-
NAICS 412% of jobs
-
NAICS 3322% of jobs
-
Others14% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
DVS in opération d'équipements de production
Code : 5362
Placement rate: 80.4%
13.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Sometimes required
- Several years of experience as a Helper, Attendant, or Packer within the same company sometimes required.
- Training in statistical process control may be required.
- Training on hydraulic, pneumatic, and electronic systems may be required for moulding machine operators.
WAP
This occupation is targeted by Workplace Apprenticeship Programs
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Monitoring operations
- Operations and control
- Information processing
- Quality control analysis
- Result evaluation
- Troubleshooting
- Active listening
- Oral expression
- Critical thought
Abilities
- Hand-arm stability
- Control accuracy
- Near vision
- Manual dexterity
- Awareness of issues
- Reaction time
- Selective attention
- Limb coordination
- Core strength
- Information organization
- Written comprehension
- Speed control
- Digital dexterity
- Deductive reasoning
- Perception speed
- Oral comprehension
- Static muscle power
- Verbal skills
- Depth perception
- Inductive reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Distance vision
- Visualization
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Focussed on results
- Autonomy
- Capacity to work in a team
- Knowledge of production and treatment
- Versatility
- Rigour
- Respect standards and regulations
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Sense of observation
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Official name of the NOC 94111
Plastics processing machine operators
Job titles
- Plastics Extruder Operators
- Plastic Moulding Machine Operator-Adjuster
- Moulder operator - plastic manufacturing
- Machine operator - plastic manufacturing
- Machine operator - plastics processing
- Calender operator - plastic manufacturing
- Calendering machine tender - plastic manufacturing
- Press operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastics press operator
- Plastic footwear moulder operator
- Arch cushion press operator - plastic manufacturing
- Cake press operator - plastic manufacturing
- Flatbed press operator - plastic manufacturing
- Caster - plastic manufacturing
- Plastics processing compounder
- Plastic compounder
- Plastics and plastic products compounder
- Plastic mould setter
- Fibreglass moulder
- Plastics moulder
- Plastic compression moulder
- Plastic centrifugal caster
- Injection plastic moulder
- Printing roller moulder
- Compression moulder - plastic manufacturing
- Injection moulder - plastic manufacturing
- Injection-moulding machine lead operator - plastic manufacturing
- Blow-moulding machine lead operator - plastic manufacturing
- Injection operator - plastic manufacturing
- Injection moulding operator
- Injection moulding processing operator
- Injection blow moulding processing operator
- Profile extrusion processing operator
- Extruder operator - plastic manufacturing
- Blow-moulding process operator - plastic manufacturing
- Neoprene sprayer operator - plastic manufacturing
- Multi-roll calender operator - plastic manufacturing
- Sheeter operator - plastic manufacturing
- Slitter operator - plastic manufacturing
- Fibreglass machine operator - plastic manufacturing
- Profile extrusion operator
- Roll operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic-film extrusion machine operator
- Pipe extrusion machine operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic-pipe-extruder operator
- Foam plastic-producing machine operator
- Bag machine operator
- Cellophane bag machine operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic bag machine operator
- Plastics machine operator
- Plastics-moulding machine operator
- Blow moulder operator - plastic manufacturing
- Fibreglass-spraying machine operator
- Extrusion blow moulding operator
- Injection moulder operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic-pipe production machine operator
- Blender operator - plastic manufacturing
- Bakelite mixer operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic mixer operator
- Solution mixer operator
- Solvent mixer operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plasticator operator
- Gel coat sprayer operator - plastic manufacturing
- Rotational moulding operator
- Thermoforming operator
- Cellophane making worker - plastic manufacturing
- Plastic pipe production worker
- Skin-former machine tender - plastic manufacturing
- Heat-sealing machine tender - plastic manufacturing
- Preform machine tender - plastic manufacturing
- Synthetic marble production worker
- Laminating machine tender - plastic manufacturing
- Plastics-blending machine tender
- Vaporizer - plastic manufacturing
- Calender wind-up tender - plastic manufacturing
- Injection molding set-up operator
- Profile extrusion set-up operator
- Machine set-up operator - plastic manufacturing
- Plastics-moulding machine setter
Skill type
Manufacturing and utilities
Last update: January 29, 2026
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