How to hire a feed mill operator

How to hire a feed mill operator, step by step

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

   Type of Feed Mill Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Feed Mill Operator		$14-21
   Production Employee	In a manufacturing setting, a production employee is in charge of assembling and processing products, ensuring efficiency and timelines. Their responsibilities include adhering to guidelines and blueprints, monitoring the products for any defects or inconsistencies, operating machines and equipment, keeping an eye on the assembly line, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas... Show more	$12-20
   Shop Worker	A shop worker may work in a wholesale or retail shop to provide customer service. They welcome guests, maintain their store's cleanliness, and ensure stock levels are maintained... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • FDA
   • Grinders
   • Mill Equipment
   • Rail Cars
   • Load Trucks
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Mixers
   • Mill Operations
   • Dryers
   • Bulk Ingredients
   • RAN
   • General Maintenance
   • Control Room

   Responsibilities:

   • Experience following procedures and managing GMP documentation.
   • Operate tube mill, and Mig and Tig welding.
   • Check and start equipment such as agitators, pumps, and filters.
   • Coordinate with material engineers and chemists to troubleshoot areas of improvement.
   • Prepare rough cut wood for assembly by ripping, jointing, planing, and cutting various exotic woods.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, feed mill operators' average salary in arkansas is 39% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level feed mill operators earn 31% less than senior-level feed mill operators.
   • Certifications. A feed mill 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 feed mill operator's salary.

   Average feed mill operator salary

   $37,710yearly

   $18.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level feed mill operator salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average feed mill operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Colorado	$41,251	$20
   2	North Carolina	$38,671	$19
   3	Nebraska	$38,651	$19
   4	Wisconsin	$37,918	$18
   5	Iowa	$37,789	$18
   6	Texas	$36,129	$17

   Average feed mill operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	University of Wisconsin System	$43,058	$20.70	1
   2	MFA Incorporated	$41,909	$20.15	5
   3	Sanderson Farms	$41,577	$19.99
   4	PepsiCo	$41,538	$19.97	6
   5	Foster Farms	$40,709	$19.57
   6	Hormel Foods	$39,515	$19.00	3
   7	Tyson Foods	$39,402	$18.94	6
   8	Butterball	$38,840	$18.67	1
   9	CHS	$37,692	$18.12
   10	Smithfield Foods	$37,636	$18.09	6
   11	Savage	$36,385	$17.49	19
   12	Livestock Nutrition Center Llc	$36,336	$17.47
   13	Christensen Farms	$36,154	$17.38	2
   14	Bartlett and Company	$35,991	$17.30
   15	Seaboard	$35,788	$17.21	5
   16	United Electric Cooperative Services, Inc.	$35,661	$17.14	6
   17	Perdue Farms	$35,338	$16.99	21
   18	Darling Ingredients	$34,930	$16.79	18
   19	Pine Manor College	$34,599	$16.63	2
   20	Aventure Staffing	$33,004	$15.87	5

4. Writing a feed mill operator job description

   A feed mill 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. Below, you can find an example of a feed mill operator job description:

   Feed mill operator job description example

   JOB PURPOSE
   
   As a Feed Mill Operator, you will be responsible for learning and understanding the feed mill manufacturing process.
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES & TASKS
   
   * Learn the material process flow of entire feed mill to include receiving, grinding, batching, pelleting, and loadout.
   * Cross-train in all areas of production/maintenance at the feed mill and be proficient in all areas of plant automation.
   * Manage and plan production needs for each area of operation.
   * Responsible for the cleanliness of all areas of the feed mill and the grounds adjacent the plant.
   * Perform all job duties in a manner consistent with all Current Good Manufacturing Practices' (cGMP) and FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) protocols.
   * Process necessary paperwork and learn to account for items using computer skills as needed and follow procedures established to insure proper material flow.
   * Understand and follow safety rules consistent with standard operating procedures.
   
   REQUIREMENTS
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent; or 1+ years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
   * Ability to read and write reports and business correspondence, ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, and visitors.
   * Basic understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
   * Must be able to make decisions on routine matters utilizing company policies, procedures, and directions from upper management.
   
   ABOUT SEABOARD FOODS
   
   At Seaboard Foods, we create the most sought-after pork. A top U.S. pork producer/processor and leading exporter to 30+ countries, we are committed to bringing excellence to the table, seeking a better way to produce wholesome pork and connect every step between our farms and family tables. Together, more than 5,000 employees in five states work in our farms, feed mills, and processing plant, to produce Prairie Fresh pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment, our employees and the communities we call home.
   
   Seaboard Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting feed mill 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 feed mill operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect feed mill 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new feed mill 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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