How to hire a finishing machine operator

How to hire a finishing machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The finishing machine operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A finishing machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, finishing machine operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

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

   Type of Finishing Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Finishing Machine Operator		$12-22
   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
   Pack Out Operator	A pack out operator is a manufacturing or packaging operation employee responsible for the final packaging of goods prior to shipping. Pack out operators come in at the last stage of the manufacturing process to ensure readiness... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • CNC
   • Basic Math
   • Quality Checks
   • Lean Manufacturing
   • Customer Specifications
   • General Maintenance
   • Bobcat
   • Detect Defects
   • Quality Standards
   • Assembly Line
   • Press Machine
   • Expansion Joints
   • Machine Adjustments

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, finishing machine operators' average salary in wyoming is 57% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level finishing machine operators 45% less than senior-level finishing machine operators.
   • Certifications. A finishing machine 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 finishing machine operator's salary.

   Average finishing machine operator salary

   $35,259yearly

   $16.95 hourly rate

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   Entry-level finishing machine operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a finishing machine operator job description

   A job description for a finishing machine 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 finishing machine operator job description:

   Finishing machine operator job description example

   Pay Rates Start between $18.25-$20.00/hour+.90 shift premium doe.

   2nd shift hours: 3:00pm-1:00am Monday thru Thursday.

   Requirements

   Job Duties and Responsibilities

   • Set up and operate finishing equipment including but not limited to straightener, saw, and furnace. Blow plugs, rand bright, and swirl.
   • Use measuring equipment, including micrometers and tape measures
   • Evaluate and assist in solving problems associated with quality
   • Any and all other duties as assigned
   • High School Diploma or GED is required.
   • Previous manufacturing experience is preferred.
   • Must be able to read, write and perform basic math calculations without difficulty or additional assistance.
   • Must be trainable and be able to demonstrate acceptable levels of comprehension on various types of equipment and machinery and various aspects of intricate production techniques.
   • Must be able to demonstrate strong general mechanical skills.
   • Must be able to concentrate in a dynamic work environment and be detail-oriented in order to maintain desired levels of quality, keep accurate accounts of time and production and achieve expected levels of throughput while maintaining a safe working environment.

   Physical Demands

   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be continually met on a daily basis by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to finger, handle, feel, talk and hear. The employee is continually expected to stand and walk for periods up to 8 hours (overtime as required) per shift with two 10 minute and one 20 minute break period. The employee must be able to do this without the aid of any physical or motorized devices. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, or squat to work on equipment or perform manufacturing processes. This must be able to be done in a narrow or tight space if required. The employee must be capable of ascending and descending stairs to cross production lines and work on equipment. The employee must be able to step down un-assisted to work on equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

   
   

   #pando

   #ind456

   PandoLogic. Keywords: General Machine Operator, Location: East Troy, WI - 53120 , PL: 547653776

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5. Post your job

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

   Once you have selected a candidate for the finishing machine 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new finishing machine operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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.)

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