How to hire a bulk plant operator

How to hire a bulk plant operator, step by step

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

Post a bulk plant operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your bulk plant operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a bulk plant operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   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 bulk plant 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 bulk plant operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of bulk plant operators.

   Type of Bulk Plant Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Bulk Plant Operator		$13-24
   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
   Mixer Operator	A mixer operator deals with the blending of materials such as chemicals, tobacco, color pigments, liquids, and explosive ingredients. The tasks of a mixer operator include measuring ingredients and products to ensure they meet the stated requirements, tending to the machines used for mixing, and reading provided work orders to determine pertinent information... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Math
   • CDL
   • Pallets
   • Troubleshoot Equipment
   • Rail Cars
   • Bulk Trucks
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Safety Standards
   • Load Trucks
   • Commercial Vehicles
   • Bulk Materials
   • Environmental Policies
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Blowers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
   • Work with dispatch with inventory and order what is needed.
   • Perform HSE safety stand downs as necessary and adhere to company standards.
   • Participate or lead safety meetings, hazard hunts and ensures JSA's are follow
   • Hold safety meeting, review JSA, rig up equipment and perform job safely and successfully.
   • Confer with customers or supervising personnel in order to address questions, problems and request for service or equipment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bulk plant operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A bulk plant operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, bulk plant operators' average salary in florida is 39% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bulk plant operators 43% less than senior-level bulk plant operators.
   • Certifications. A bulk plant operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a bulk plant operator's salary.

   Average bulk plant operator salary

   $38,791yearly

   $18.65 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bulk plant operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a bulk plant operator job description

   A job description for a bulk plant operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a bulk plant operator job description:

   Bulk plant operator job description example

   Maintain and operate grain processing equipment to ensure superior popcorn quality. Provide incoming raw product receiving and grading. Maintain documentation for quality and food safety. Supports continuous improvement goals in safety, quality, cost and customer service.
   
   Comply with all rules, procedures, training, & GMP requirements; check equipment, tools, & supplies The employee will setup grain supply & distribution system using cables, startup the bulk plant equipment, tend & inspect the machinery, empty waste containers, & cleans/changes screens Perform housekeeping duties to keep the work area clean & neat Responsible for maintaining food safety and quality The employee will check metal collecting magnets & collect samples of grain & perform/document quality tests The employee may operate a grain transport to supply the plant with grain The employee may climb up to hoppers several times a shift & monitor grain levels
   
   High school diploma or equivalent One to three years related experience pertaining to grain handling and associated equipment a plus Lift/carry and push/pull up to 55 pounds Ability to read and write English to comprehend complex instructions and carry them out to complete required QA documentation Ability to perform basic math (percentages, weight conversions, etc.)
   Our Benefits:
   
   We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:
   Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, company-paid life, accident and disability insurance Wealth: great pay, incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan Growth: online courses, virtual and classroom development experiences Balance: paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role)
   
   Our Company:
   
   Conagra Brands is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We have a rich heritage of making great food, and a team that's passionate about innovation and growth. Conagra offers choices for every occasion through iconic brands, such as Birds Eye , Marie Callender's , Banquet , Healthy Choice , Slim Jim , Reddi-wip , and Vlasic , and emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP , Duke's , Earth Balance , Gardein , and Frontera .
   We pride ourselves on having the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in the food industry. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.
   
   Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find bulk plant 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 bulk plant operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bulk plant 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 bulk plant operator job on Zippia to find and recruit bulk plant 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 bulk plant 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 bulk plant operator

   Once you've found the bulk plant operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a bulk plant operator?