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Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators tend one or more machines that automatically slice or cut food products such as cheese or meat for packaging.

JOB DUTIES 

Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators may:

Thread a roll of interleaf wrapping paper into the cutting or slicing machine

Turn screws to adjust guides on the slicing machine according to the size of the food product to be cut

Adjust dimensions on computerized slicing machine to obtain correct size of slice

Place slabs of food on the feeder bed

Press levers to clamp food to the feeder bed and start the feeder

Set dials for the desired number and thickness of slices to be cut from each stack of meat

Weigh stacks of meat and turn dials to ensure that the slice thickness chosen will provide the prescribed weight required for later packaging

Remove and replace improperly sliced food products

Place sliced stacks of food product on packaging conveyors

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

Products cut or sliced by Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators may specialize in these areas:

521.685-102 CANDY CUTTING MACHINE OPERATORS tend machines that cut candy, such as caramel, nougat, or fudge into pieces or strips of a specified size.

529.585-010 CHEESE CUTTERS tend machines that cut blocks of cheese into pieces of a specified shape and size. They also examine the cheese for defects in color, texture, and body.

529.685-082 CUTTERS tend bandsaws or cut-of saws that cut macaroni products, such as spaghetti and noodles, into paper packaging lengths.

525.685-010 BAND-SAW OPERATORS tend electrically powered bandsaws that cut portions from hams to prepare them for smoking, curing, or packaging processes.

521.685-306 SLICING-MACHINE OPERATOR

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators usually work with other workers under the direction of a supervisor. They work indoors and might stand or sit for long periods of time. Working conditions may vary with the employer or the type of food product sliced. Some Operators may work where food products must be kept at low temperatures to prevent spoilage. Operators might also work near constant noise and vibration from cutting machines and conveyor systems and may be exposed to hazards such as, cuts from machinery and falls on slippery floors. Hazards are minimized by following safety procedures. Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Depending on the employer and the food product cut, they may be required to work day, afternoon, or night shifts. Operators might work overtime and on weekends when production schedules are heavy.

Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators may have to provide their own clothing such as uniforms, aprons, and hair coverings. Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators may join unions where they work. Physical examinations and/or health cards may be required for employment. Union members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

• Activities which are non social

• Activities which involve the use of machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities/tasks according to a required routine or sequence

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you were given a foot long block of cheese, what would be the width of each slice if you wanted 60 slices?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

The standard unit of mass, the kilogram, was originally defined to be the mass of a cubic volume of water 0.10 meters or 10 centimeters on a side.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write an explanation to your supervisor of any type of malfunction that might have occurred during the day.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide, independently, ways to solve small processing errors.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Opportunities to explore or gain experience in this occupation are limited to summer or part-time work at a food processing plant or bakery shop.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Cutting and Slicing Machine Operator employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cutting and Slicing Machine Operator employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entering this occupation is by applying directly to employers. Jobs may be located through local offices of Michigan Works!, local unions, or newspaper want ads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Classifieds Employment ( http://www.classifieds2000.com )

Yahoo! Careers ( http://careers.yahoo.com/ )  

MONSTER.COM  ( http://www.monster.com )

Michigan Department of Career Development ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd/ )

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org )

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators vary according to experience and skill of the individual, type of employer, geographic location, and extent of unionization.

Nationally, Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators had median weekly earnings of $454 or $11.35 per hour in 2001. National earnings for the workers in the food product industry were $13.22 per hour in late 2001. The median hourly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $14.92 in 2001.

In Michigan the average for food product workers was $14.72 in late 2001.

In the Detroit area, in mid 2002, some unionized, experienced, Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators working in the grocery industry earned from about $8.00 to $13.50/hr.  per hour. Some workers also received a cost-of-living allowance.

Depending on the employer, most Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators receive sick leave; paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and health insurance; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

These Operators usually start as trainees and learn their skills through on-the-job training, which usually takes from a few hours to a few days depending on the particular cutting or slicing done. Trainees advance to Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators. Some Operators are promoted to supervisor. Promotion depends on the worker's skill, work experience, ability to supervise, as well as the availability of job openings.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 10,500 Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators employed in the food processing industry in 2000. Growth in the  number of people employed in this occupation is expected to show little or no change  the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Some openings are expected each year to replace workers who retire or leave their jobs for other reasons.

Continuing population growth and higher incomes should continue the demand for products that Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators produce. However, increasingly efficient cutting and slicing machines and methods of operation will limit the number of Operators needed.

There were about 350 Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators employed in Michigan. All worked within the food and kindred (closely related) products industry. The majority worked in the meat products industry. The others worked in bakery products; grain mill products; preserved fruits and vegetables; and dairy products. An average of about 10 annual openings is expected with most due to the replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Employment of Cutting and Slicing Machine Operators is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2008.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development