How to hire a forming machine operator

How to hire a forming machine operator, step by step

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

   This list shows salaries for various types of forming machine operators.

   Type of Forming Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Forming 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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Quality Standards
   • Safety Rules
   • Troubleshoot
   • Tape Measure
   • Pallets
   • Cranes
   • Oiling
   • Quality Checks
   • PPE
   • Calipers
   • GMP
   • CNC
   • Extrusion
   • Vacuum Forming

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design all extrusion dies and their support tooling.
   • Utilize CNC machinery for shaping and routing of materials for final product.
   • Trouble shooting CNC programs and re writing programs to edit to meet measurement specification.
   • Machine parts according to customer specifications utilizing calipers.
   • Work with injection molding manufacturing hospital product parts -operate machines in departments of extrusion and injection molding -Experience with digital calipers.
   • Stack pieces onto pallet, strap and then wrap the pallet up and label with customers information for pick up date.

   More forming machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your forming machine operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A forming machine operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a forming machine operator in Florida may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level forming machine operator usually earns less than a senior-level forming machine operator. Additionally, a forming machine operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average forming machine operator salary

   $35,252yearly

   $16.95 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level forming machine operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average forming machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Pennsylvania	$42,176	$20
   2	Wisconsin	$40,588	$20
   3	California	$40,435	$19
   4	New Jersey	$39,310	$19
   5	New York	$36,740	$18
   6	Illinois	$36,343	$17
   7	Indiana	$35,761	$17
   8	Michigan	$33,853	$16
   9	Ohio	$33,279	$16
   10	Colorado	$30,288	$15
   11	Florida	$25,989	$12

   Average forming machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	AMETEK	$81,210	$39.04	11
   2	Post Holdings	$43,010	$20.68	36
   3	United States Mint	$40,986	$19.70
   4	Inline Plastics	$40,830	$19.63
   5	Roller Die + Forming	$39,130	$18.81
   6	Stanley Black & Decker	$38,755	$18.63	12
   7	QPS	$37,925	$18.23
   8	Saint-Gobain	$37,785	$18.17	40
   9	MacLean-Fogg	$37,609	$18.08	2
   10	D&W Fine Pack	$37,344	$17.95
   11	A&S Kinard	$36,836	$17.71
   12	Hose Master Llc	$34,880	$16.77
   13	Kelly Services	$33,675	$16.19	130
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$33,206	$15.96	8
   15	ManpowerGroup	$32,794	$15.77	134
   16	SFS intec, Inc.	$32,653	$15.70
   17	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$29,190	$14.03	1
   18	Trc Staffing Services	$28,727	$13.81

4. Writing a forming machine operator job description

   A forming machine 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 forming machine operator job description:

   Forming machine operator job description example

   If you want to reshape the world and discover your greatest potential, Saint-Gobain provides one-of-a-kind opportunities for innovative problem solvers.
   
   We're one of only two companies in the world that is consistently recognized as both a top Global Employer and a Top 100 Global Innovator, but Saint-Gobain's remarkable story and culture of innovation begins with a team of nearly 200,000 creative, diverse and passionate team members collaborating across the globe. We are committed to our mission to improve lives because, every day, we witness the enormous impact of our efforts on the world around us.
   
   How would you like to work in a dynamic, innovative company with opportunity to grow your career? Saint-Gobain in Wayne, NJ is for you!
   
   We offer competitive salary, shift differential, matching 401k, bonus, retirement plan, benefits start day one, tuition reimbursement, growth opportunities and so much more
   
   We are hiring Forming Machine Operators for 3rd shift, 11pm-7:30am. Training will be on 1st shift, 7am-3:30pm for approximately three months.
   Are you mechanically inclined, good with your hands, this may be the job for you
   
   This position is responsible to set up and run department equipment to form finished bearings and bushings.
   
   * Operates up to 3 machines simultaneously according to standard operating procedures, or special instruction from supervisor.
   * Clears machine jams, makes adjustments as needed.
   * Performs SPC checks and procedures.
   * Monitors and updates status of work orders.
   * Communicate and cooperate with fellow employees to maintain quality, operational efficiency and safety.
   * Clean and maintain machinery, tools, and work area as scheduled or as needed.
   * Maintain necessary records as required by SOPs and work instructions.
   * Visually observe, troubleshoot, and report non-conformance condition (either product or process) to supervisor, or manager as required.
   * Disassemble and reassemble machines and replace parts as required.
   * Monitor quality of product through 1st piece and final inspection as required.
   * Perform other related duties as required or as directed by supervisor.
   * Exhibits safety awareness and safe work practices.
   * Understand all environmental policies and significant environmental impact of job activities in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard.
   
   Required Qualifications
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent.
   * Able to operate independently and as part of a team
   * Basic command of the English language, written and verbal.
   * Able to read and follow SOPs, labels and instructions and blueprints.
   * Demonstrated mechanical abilities, including use of measuring devices.
   * Experience in Statistical Process Control.
   * Demonstrated mechanical and mathematical abilities.
   * Computer skills necessary to fulfill department requirements.
   
   Company Summary
   
   Our commitment to being a Great Place to Work is a strong one. We encourage and foster our employees to be engaged through their participation in various committees/ teams. These teams help build a relationship between employees; they bring together employees from different shifts, different departments, and different career levels and promotes a culture of unity and pride. In an environment of listening, caring, developing, thanking and inspiring, the Saint-Gobain Wayne Plant IS a Great Place to Work.
   
   Legal Statement
   
   Saint-Gobain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Saint-Gobain is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and supports the hiring of veterans.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find forming 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 forming machine operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level forming 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 forming machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit forming machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting forming machine 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.

   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 forming machine operator

   Once you've selected the best forming machine operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing 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 forming machine 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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