How to hire a blender operator

How to hire a blender operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step blender 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 blender operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new blender operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a blender operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The blender 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

   A blender operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, blender operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

   Type of Blender Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Blender Operator		$13-21
   Mixer	In general, a mixer prepares dry chemicals and raw materials and combines them for use in safety boot manufacturing. Mixers provide training to work with chemicals under the regulations set by OSHA... Show more	$12-20
   Production Operator	A production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Basic Math
   • Math
   • Food Safety
   • Pallets
   • GMP
   • Cleanliness
   • Production Lines
   • Data Entry
   • Quality Standards
   • CIP
   • QA
   • Work Ethic
   • Safety Rules
   • Quality Issues

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train in FDA GMP guidelines to insure safety, quality and purity product characteristics throughout the manufacturing processes.
   • Comply with FAA regulatory and ISO requirements.
   • Improve daily functions which require GMP certification by creating and implementing new processes and procedures.
   • Comply with all FDA and OSHA regulations to ensure a cleanly and sage work environment.
   • Follow recipes, mix products, transfer to tankers, CIP of all mix tanks and lines
   • Analyze failed components to determine reasons for imperfections and record results for review by QA manager.

   More blender operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your blender operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A blender 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 blender operator in Arizona may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level blender operator usually earns less than a senior-level blender operator. Additionally, a blender 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 blender operator salary

   $35,598yearly

   $17.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level blender operator salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average blender operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Iowa	$42,063	$20
   2	Washington	$41,648	$20
   3	Massachusetts	$41,591	$20
   4	Oregon	$39,564	$19
   5	Nevada	$39,323	$19
   6	Wisconsin	$38,087	$18
   7	Illinois	$37,862	$18
   8	Montana	$37,801	$18
   9	Indiana	$36,617	$18
   10	California	$36,118	$17
   11	Texas	$35,782	$17
   12	Missouri	$35,442	$17
   13	Alabama	$34,843	$17
   14	Utah	$34,190	$16
   15	South Carolina	$32,729	$16
   16	Arkansas	$32,687	$16
   17	Georgia	$31,337	$15
   18	Florida	$30,745	$15

   Average blender operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Kemps	$43,354	$20.84	5
   2	Dairy Farmers of America	$42,914	$20.63	152
   3	Nestlé	$42,664	$20.51	92
   4	Reckitt Benckiser	$42,110	$20.25	7
   5	Clean Harbors	$41,702	$20.05	45
   6	PepsiCo	$41,333	$19.87	9
   7	Steuben Foods	$40,800	$19.62	7
   8	The Clorox Company	$40,656	$19.55	17
   9	Cargill	$40,101	$19.28	67
   10	Safety-Kleen	$39,500	$18.99	8
   11	TreeHouse Foods	$39,437	$18.96	19
   12	Optimum Nutrition	$39,353	$18.92	25
   13	Upstate Niagara Cooperative	$39,161	$18.83
   14	Pacific Foods	$38,558	$18.54
   15	Tyson Foods	$38,554	$18.54	4
   16	Masters Building Solutions, Inc.	$38,193	$18.36	2
   17	Mannington Mills	$37,891	$18.22	3
   18	Pharmavite	$37,643	$18.10	5
   19	Rust-Oleum	$37,567	$18.06	2
   20	The AZEK Company	$37,536	$18.05	8

4. Writing a blender operator job description

   A good blender operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a blender operator job description:

   Blender operator job description example

   Exemption: Nonexempt
   
   Shift: Days - 12 hour shifts
   
   OUR COMPANY:
   
   Ventura Foods is a leading global manufacturer of branded and custom food products that proudly helps food providers in the U.S., Canada and more than 60 other countries earn a special place on consumers' tables. We do this by continually crafting custom dressings, sauces, mayonnaises, and other food solutions that exceed peoples' expectations for great-tasting flavors and high-quality ingredients.
   
   Headquartered in Brea, California, Ventura Foods operates 14 manufacturing facilities, 3 culinary centers, and numerous distribution centers across North America. When you work in our manufacturing and distribution facilities, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you're willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth, because you invest in ours.
   
   Position Summary:
   
   The Processor is responsible for efficiently mixing finished products and maintaining the highest possible quality standards. Work in a manufacturing environment following appropriate policies and procedures to ensure successful execution of position responsibilities.
   
   Major Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   Prepare product according to established formulas, while monitoring the needs of production to keep filling areas supplied with finished product Use Local Control Panel (LCP) and scales to control the additions of all metered and manually added/weighed ingredients to mix and transfer completed batches to production lines or portable equipment Supply a product sample, as required, to Quality Control (QC) for testing and approval for packing Make and document all necessary adjustments, while keeping records of batches made and ingredients used including lot numbers. Also record re-work used on batch sheet, perform pre-start up checks and fill out standard paperwork for each shift Perform deck set up for daily schedule, operate equipment to aid in processing formulas; keep processing equipment clean and sanitized Clear out product lines and pumps with water at the end of daily product run. Remove empty containers, garbage and follow good housekeeping standards Flexibility to work shifts, weekends and overtime as needed Responsible for following all food safety policies, procedures and regulatory criteria including the current SQF code, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated preventive controls Other duties as assigned
   Education and Experience:
   
   High School Diploma/GED or equivalent food manufacturing experience
   Knowledge and Skills:
   
   Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs) Math skills required to accurately verify quantities of ingredients Good communication skills required to effectively interact with co-workers, operators, supervision and management
   Physical Demands:
   
   Regularly requires intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Physical strength and dexterity sufficient to perform the required task(s). Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Additional demands may be required.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   In addition to normal business hours, work schedules may include after hours and weekends as needed. May work outside and in adverse temperatures which include extreme hot, cold, and humidity. May be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration. Must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by established Company Safety standards. May require work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet for prolonged periods of time.
   
   Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right blender operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with blender operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit blender operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit blender operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 blender operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect blender operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new blender operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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How much does it cost to hire a blender operator?