How to hire a creel operator

How to hire a creel operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step creel 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 creel operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new creel 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 creel operator you need to hire. Certain creel 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

   Hiring the perfect creel operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of creel operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Creel Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Creel Operator		$12-25
   Creeler	In the textile industry, a creeler sets up and operates creeling equipment, which produces yarn and similar materials. They monitor the entire process to ensure it adheres to production guidelines and company standards... Show more	$11-39
   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:

   • Creel
   • Safety Rules
   • Lot Numbers
   • Spindles

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Operate overhead crane to transport beams.
   • Maintain proper communication with management and frac crews on/off-site.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, creel operators' average salary in south carolina is 23% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level creel operators earn 54% less than senior-level creel operators.
   • Certifications. A creel 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 creel operator's salary.

   Average creel operator salary

   $37,066yearly

   $17.82 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level creel operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a creel operator job description

   A job description for a creel 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 creel operator job description:

   Creel operator job description example

   Job Title
   
   Tufting - Creel Operator - 2nd and 3rd Shifts
   
   Position Overview
   
   Position Overview:
   
   Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Creeler Operator for one of Shaw's newest manufacturing plants located in Adairsville, GA. The primary Responsibilities of this position are to ensure product quality and machine efficiency. Creeler Operator will creel, operate machines, and drive a lift truck. The new Adairsville, GA plant, T1, will manufacture carpet tile and is an integral part of the carpet tile business. Plant T1 operates a team based system where associates are proficient at multiple jobs and rotate through them. Team members will set goals and work together to achieve them. Teams will also balance customer, business, and individual goals.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   Perform operator duties for warping, tufting and back winding. Perform 'quality checks' such as moisture tests, weight checks, etc Attend necessary training such as Mending class, Stop Mark training, etc. Change backing as needed for each shop order Troubleshoot and resolve issues when machines are not performing properly Operate TMS3 to process shop orders Load and unload beams Creel in both Warping and Tufting departments as assigned Utilizing creel diagram, creel racks and maintain them as necessary for each shop order. Creeling functions include stripping, doubling creels, creel inspections, etc. Ensure quality and accuracy that labels on boxes of yarn and in cones match the shop order for quality purposes Pack yarn into boxes, count number of cones in each box and prepare packing label when set is complete Verify beam thread up and number of ends on every beam Doff and label beam, as well as monitor beam quality Identify and correct different yarn defects while monitoring a running creel Dispose of recyclable and scrap materials properly Complete and distribute all associated paperwork Thread ends during normal operation without crossing ends or missing guides Change blades in air splices and dispose of blade properly Perform lift truck operator duties as scheduled Perform lift truck inspections and complete paperwork Operate floor sweeper as needed Operate a baler as needed Provide 'breaks' to Creelers II, Operators and LTOs as assigned Assist in keeping the entire facility clean. Maintain a neat and orderly work space. Serve as a member of a team, attend and actively participate in meetings (could be before or after shift) and work toward team goals. Participate in team building activities as planned. Provide respectful feedback to team members as necessary. Expected to 'flow to work' to service customers and business needs. Gain and maintain all necessary skills to perform jobs as assigned. Attend all training classes as scheduled for individual and team development. Safely complete other assigned duties as needed. Requirements: This position will require standing, heavy and/or repeated lifting, bending, stooping, reaching overhead or crawling for long periods of time Basic reading, writing, and math are required for this position Verbally communicate in English with team members about team needs and daily/weekly goals; participate in team meetings, provide feedback and contribute to team's goals. Pass color blindness test. Use computer systems and software as needed for the position. Withstand changes in temperature and humidity. Expected to be able to lift up to 50 pounds Comply with all required OSHA, SAFE, and plant specific safety rules and regulations. Preferred: Warping and tufting experience preferred
   
   #ShawIND
   
   Work Shift
   
   8 Hr non-rotating shift, Hrs fall to in punch day, Observed Calendar, shift starts PM
   
   Shaw Industries is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right creel 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 creel operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit creel 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 creel operator job on Zippia to find and recruit creel 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 creel 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 creel operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the creel 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new creel 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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