How to hire a collator operator

How to hire a collator operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the collator operator you need to hire. Certain collator operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 collator 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 collator operator that fits the bill.

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

   Type of Collator Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Collator Operator		$13-21
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Collating
   • Safety Inspections
   • Quality Checks
   • Production Process
   • Safety Procedures
   • RAN
   • Business Forms
   • Drill Press
   • Machine Operation
   • Troubleshoot
   • Color Press
   • Clamp Truck
   • Customer Specifications
   • Routine Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
   • Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your collator operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A collator operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, collator operators' average salary in florida is 35% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level collator operators earn 38% less than senior-level collator operators.
   • Certifications. A collator operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a collator operator's salary.

   Average collator operator salary

   $36,279yearly

   $17.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level collator operator salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a collator operator job description

   A collator 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a collator operator job description:

   Collator operator job description example

   Collator Operator, 3rd Shift Sheridan. Be part of something greater. Your career awaits join us!

   LOCATION: Chelsea, MI

   Sheridan MI has operated in Chelsea, Michigan, for more than 70 years of service to the book publishing industry. Our customers depend on us to covert their ideas into one of the most important inventions man ever made, a book of printed words.

   Job Summary:

   • Read job ticket and follow instructions
   • Set up and change over machines
   • Coordinate and monitor the crews responsibilities
   • Check each job for accuracy of specifications and verify the quality meets our expectation

   Basic Qualifications:

   • A minimum of a high school diploma or GED required.
   • Ability to keep up with a high-speed delivery output in a standing position for a full shift.
   • Requires regularly standing, walking, carrying, climbing, and reaching.
   • Ability to lift cartons up to a maximum of 50 lbs.

   Schedule is Monday to Friday, 11 PM to 3 AM - 40 hours/week

   • Overtime pays time and a half after 40 hours per week
   • Night shift pays an extra 8% on hours worked

   Why work for Sheridan?

   • Job training
   • Career advancement
   • College tuition up to $5,250 per year
   • Paid vacation & holidays
   • Competitive compensation
   • Medical (PPO and HSA Plans), Dental, Vision
   • Teledoc - convenient and no cost
   • Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance
   • Voluntary life
   • 401(k) with company match
   • Company paid short term disability
   • FSA Health and Dependent Care savings accounts
   • HSA Health saving account
   • EAP program

   CJK Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to apply for employment, please contact the location HR Manager at option 3 or .

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right collator operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your collator operator job on Zippia to find and recruit collator 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 collator 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 collator operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the collator 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.

   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 collator operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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