How to hire a decker operator

How to hire a decker operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a decker operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   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 decker 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.

   This list presents decker operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Decker Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Decker Operator		$12-24
   Process Operator	A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress... Show more	$13-23
   Machine Operator	Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cranes
   • Safety Procedures
   • Aerospace
   • Hand Tools
   • CIP
   • Control Room
   • PPE
   • Assembly Line
   • Transport Product

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate overhead bridge cranes and fork lifts.
   • Operate heavy machinery- including cranes, forklifts, boom-lifts, and power jacks.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, decker operators' average salary in indiana is 34% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level decker operators earn 51% less than senior-level decker operators.
   • Certifications. A decker 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 decker operator's salary.

   Average decker operator salary

   $36,397yearly

   $17.50 hourly rate

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   Entry-level decker operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a decker operator job description

   A good decker 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 decker operator job description:

   Decker operator job description example

   Ready to be part of something special?Join our Family!
   
   Responsibilities:
   Verify all E-stops are operational and all guards in place prior to start up.Fully understand operating and safety procedures of assigned machinery and other surrounding machinery.Gather and ensure required pre-staged materials, supplies, etc. are correct before line begins as applicable. Dispose of materials, debris etc. into proper recycle bins/area and/or trash containers. Operator accurately & timely completes all Pre-Op Reports, Logs, Inspection Sheets, Downtime Reports, etc. as assigned and submits to Lead or Supervisor as required.Compare and verify all materials (codes, containers, sizes, labels, etc.) match to Spec Sheets.Verify glue machine reading correct temperature and glue machine has glue inside the pod and fill pod as applicable per machinery operating.Ensure steam valve on capper turned on to proper settings when operating Capper. Clean area of any debris, broken glass, etc. throughout the day as needed. Communicates with other Operators at shift change, when being relieved from position, etc. with any issues experiencing and throughout the shift (as applicable).Ask questions when unsure. Ensure properly training before operating machinery. Responsible to ensure food safety/quality polices are followed, to report all food safety/quality problems out of his/her realm of responsibility to personnel with the authority to initiate action.Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices.Work safe and report all unsafe working conditions and/or unsafe acts to supervisor immediately.Responsible to make sure a good safe wholesome product is produced safely.All other duties as required
   
   Experience, Skills, Education:
   Manufacturing experience Maintain excellent attendance record Possess Effective Communication SkillsReading/Comprehension AbilitiesAbility to Work IndependentlyAbility to Identify Problems and Respond AccordinglyPossess basic math skills
   
   Physical Requirements:
   Plant EnvironmentWalking/standing while in position Able to work in outside environment and other extreme conditions.Able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. - if an accommodation is necessary please notify Human Resources in advance of interview.
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity:
   B&G Foods is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please see www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right decker 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 decker operator job on Zippia to find and recruit decker operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting decker 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 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 decker operator

   Once you've found the decker 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.

   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 decker 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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