Dairy processing technician
Also known as: dairy employee, dairy process technician, dairy technician
About this occupation
Dairy processing technicians supervise and coordinate production processes, operations, and maintenance workers in milk, cheese, ice cream and/or other dairy production plants. They assist food technologists in improving processes, developing new food products and establishing procedures and standards for production and packaging.
Essential skills and knowledge
- quality assurance methodologies
- work in a food processing team
- follow written instructions
- curdling of cheese
- food and beverage industry
- perform sensory evaluation
- monitor milk production deviations
- apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
- dairy products
- food safety principles
- dairy manufacturing specifications
- give instructions to staff
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (O*NET 51-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
- Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
- Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
- Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.
- Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
- Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$74,450 a year (2025), 673,430 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.2)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.2)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.