How to hire a bag machine operator

How to hire a bag machine operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bag machine operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bag machine operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bag machine operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The bag machine operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a bag machine operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a bag machine operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of bag machine operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Bag Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Bag Machine Operator		$13-20
   Packager	Packagers are skilled employees who place completed products into containers and prepare them for shipment by weighing and labeling each package. As the final checkpoints between buyer and manufacturer, packagers must ensure that items are in proper working order as well as discard defective items according to company procedures... Show more	$10-21
   Packaging Technician	A packaging technician is responsible for planning the packaging design of various products, creating attractive outputs by utilizing software tools and applications, and ensuring that the deliverables adhere to the product's features. Packaging technicians generate new designs according to market trends and public demands... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GMP
   • Hand Tools
   • Pallets
   • Bag Line
   • ISO
   • RAN
   • Customer Specifications
   • Print Quality
   • Ink Density
   • Filling Machine Operation
   • Product Quality
   • Hoists
   • Extrusion
   • Production Process

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure GMP's and safe food handling practices are followed in conjunction with management.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Box bags and place on pallet according to work order ticket.
   • Complete paperwork which includes downtime, machine log, pallet records and work flexible hours to meet production needs.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

   More bag machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bag machine operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A bag machine operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a bag machine operator in Virginia may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level bag machine operator usually earns less than a senior-level bag machine operator. Additionally, a bag machine operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average bag machine operator salary

   $35,374yearly

   $17.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bag machine operator salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

   Average bag machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$42,233	$20
   2	Wisconsin	$40,898	$20
   3	Illinois	$37,404	$18
   4	North Carolina	$37,196	$18
   5	Texas	$35,444	$17
   6	Indiana	$34,931	$17
   7	New Mexico	$33,316	$16
   8	Ohio	$31,330	$15
   9	Florida	$30,972	$15

   Average bag machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Novolex	$37,999	$18.27	91
   2	AllStaff Technical Solutions	$36,405	$17.50
   3	ABCO Laboratories	$36,320	$17.46
   4	ProAmpac	$36,202	$17.40	33
   5	Pratt Industries	$36,065	$17.34	70
   6	AJM Packaging	$35,988	$17.30
   7	Aerotek	$34,835	$16.75	451
   8	Total Staffing Solutions	$34,756	$16.71	4
   9	Aventure Staffing	$34,628	$16.65	4
   10	Consolidated Container Holdings LLC	$34,283	$16.48
   11	Randstad North America, Inc.	$33,576	$16.14	7

4. Writing a bag machine operator job description

   A bag machine operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a bag machine operator job description:

   Bag machine operator job description example

   • Quarterly bonuses: perfect attendance bonus and gainshare program
   • Premium pay built into your shift schedule
   • Paid Time Off (PTO) with 2 additional personal days
   • 11 paid company holidays
   • 401k with company match
   • Medical, Dental, Vision, and other supplemental offerings
   • Company-provided life insurance
   • Disability insurance
   • Tuition Reimbursement
   • Wellness program - living a healthy lifestyle can get you a discount on your health insurance premiums AND other incentives

   In this role, you will operate converting bag machines in a safe manner and produce quality product with minimal scrap, meet production schedules and keep work area clean.

   Additionally, you will be responsible for the following:

   • Run Equipment: you will run and catch on a machine. You will perform any light maintenance that is needed on assigned machine and communicate any major issues to supervisor/lead.
   • Follow Instructions: you will read, understand and follow all work instructions to produce product that meet standards (production, scrap and quality).
   • Ensure Compliance: you will ensure departmental compliance with all certification requirements and will maintain good housekeeping practices in accordance with AIB/ISO standards. You will maintain quality of products being produced at or above the required specifications.

   REQUIREMENTS

   • High School or GED diploma required.
   • Available to work 2nd (3pm - 11pm) OR 3rd shift (11pm - 7am)
   • Mechanically inclined, reasoning skills (must have)
   • Machine operating experience (preferred).
   • Ability to do machine set-ups, calibrations, etc. (preferred)
   • Ability to read a ruler
   • Good communication skills
   • Must complete Safety Orientation, Departmental Safety Training and OSHA Standards Training

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find bag machine operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any bag machine operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bag machine operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bag machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit bag machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting bag machine operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bag machine operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the bag machine operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new bag machine operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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