DEV SITE .48
Salary Range
€26k - €38k
Career Zone

In Brief...

Monitor machines that wash, fill and label bottles. They make sure that the machines are set up correctly and loaded with materials such as bottles and labels.

Knowledge

  •   Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  •   Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  •   English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  •   Clerical Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  •   Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Knowledge areas are ranked by their importance to this career

Skills

  •   Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  •   Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  •   Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  •   Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  •   Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Skills are ranked by their importance to this career

Work Environment

This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):

 
Manufacturing
Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy
 
Chemical Engineering
Engineering, Manufacturing & Energy

Videos on the Web

Most commonly reported Work Activities

  •   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  •   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  •   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  •   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  •   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  •   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  •   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  •   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  •   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  •   Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

 

Working Life

Bottling operatives operate bottling machinery on a production line. The machinery washes and sterilises the bottles, then fills, labels and packages them. Bottles may be glass, or of another material such as plastic.  
 
The operative makes sure their piece of machinery is set up properly and constantly supplied with raw materials. They also do routine maintenance and manual cleaning routines. They report any complex technical problems to full-time maintenance staff. They are responsible for organising regular servicing of their machinery.  
 
Operatives may also carry and load bottles to and from lorries.

 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

  • Examine and inspect containers, materials, or products to ensure that product quality and packing specifications are met.
  • Measure, weigh, and count products and materials.
  • Record product, packaging, and order information on specified forms and records.
  • Seal containers or materials, using glues, fasteners, nails, and hand tools.
  • Assemble, line, and pad cartons, crates, and containers, using hand tools.
  • Obtain, move, and sort products, materials, containers, and orders, using hand tools.
  • Mark and label containers, container tags, or products, using marking tools.
  • Clean containers, materials, supplies, or work areas, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.
  • Remove completed or defective products or materials, placing them on moving equipment, such as conveyors, or in specified areas, such as loading docks.
  • Place or pour products or materials into containers, using hand tools and equipment, or fill containers from spouts or chutes.

Further Information

Qualities - Bottling Worker

You will need some mechanical understanding to work with machinery. You need to be good with your hands and have an awareness of health and safety, especially as some of the chemicals used in bottle washing can be dangerous.  
 
You will need to be reasonably physically fit as there may be some heavy lifting involved. You may also have to stand for long periods of time at machines. You need to be able to take direction from others.  
 
Operatives working in food or drink production need to be aware of hygiene. The ability to work well in a team is also important.

Interests - Bottling Worker

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Entry / Progression - Bottling Worker

It is usual to enter this work directly and be trained on-the-job by experienced workers.

Some employers provide health & safety or first aid training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed such training prior to employment.

Key Skills Certs that may be required are: manual handling and SafePass.

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: engineering operations, technology, manufacturing, production.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: engineering, manufacturing, energy.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy.

Search for Apprenticeships

Pay & Salary - Bottling Worker

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €38k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, shift pattern and experience.

Data Source(s):
Morgan Mckinley/Excel/ Indeed

Last Updated: January, 2024

Labour Market Updates - Bottling Worker

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Food, drink and tobacco process operatives.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The employment growth rate was almost on a par with the national average, although employment levels did not change between 2021 and 2022. There was a high share of non-Irish citizens, at 41%. The volume of employment permits issued in 2022 grew strongly compared to 2021, with the reintroduction of quotas for meat processing operatives.

There was also a high volume of vacancies for meat processing operatives advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland. Difficult-to-fill vacancies for food operatives occurred in the Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data, although small in numbers. Targets to reduce agricultural carbon emissions are likely to see demand for this occupation curtailed, although issues with recruitment may persist due to the perceived attractiveness of some of the roles in this group.

Useful Contacts - Bottling Worker

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