How to hire a furnace tender

How to hire a furnace tender, step by step

Here's a step-by-step furnace tender hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a furnace tender job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new furnace tender
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The furnace tender 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

   Hiring the perfect furnace tender 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 furnace tenders and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Furnace Tender	Description	Hourly rate
   Furnace Tender	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$14-24
   Founder	A Founder is responsible for building his/her business from the ground up through various strategies and extensive planning. A Founder is also responsible for the workforce's funding and recruitment that would be vital for a company to succeed and create a vision and mission that the business would uphold... Show more	$22-84
   Furnace Operator	A furnace operator records time and production data, adjusts thermostats, and observes a pyrometer to maintain the temperature between specified limits. The operators set furnace control to regulate the temperature and heating time... Show more	$13-21

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Crucibles

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and coordinate team in all aspects of operation in an aluminum blast furnace.
   • Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot creatively, solve problems effectively, and make inform decisions while successfully guiding others through constant change.
   • Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot creatively, solve problems effectively, and make inform decisions while successfully guiding others through constant change.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, furnace tenders' average salary in alabama is 45% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level furnace tenders 41% less than senior-level furnace tenders.
   • Certifications. A furnace tender 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 furnace tender's salary.

   Average furnace tender salary

   $39,384yearly

   $18.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level furnace tender salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a furnace tender job description

   A furnace tender 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 furnace tender job description:

   Furnace tender job description example

   1st Shift M - Th (5:00 am - 3:20 pm)

   2nd Shift M - Th (3:00 pm- 1:20 am)

   
   

   Starting Pay: $23/hr + $1.25 shift differential and $1.75 shift premium

   Great Compensation - Generous Benefits - Collaborative Teams

   Imagine working for a company where Great People make it exciting to come to work; A company where you have time for family and Life; a company where everyone gets Industry Leading benefits.

   If you're honest, hardworking, treat others with respect, and looking for opportunities to learn and grow, we want to talk to you.

   Job Duties May include:

   Performs a variety of tasks such as:

   alloying metals to specification, re-melting scrap; transferring and pouring molten metal into molds, bull-ladles or trucks; regulating furnace / metal temperature; stirring furnace, skimming off dross and cold flux; maintaining and cleaning furnace, making repairs; delivering ingots and molten metal to casting machines; or monitor, identify and label ingot inventory. Responsible for quality of work and to appropriately resolve unusual operating conditions. Routinely operates a forklift. Willingly modifies work schedule and duties to accommodate Company needs. All other duties as assigned. May require successful completion of specific education, training or certifications.

   Qualifications Required

   Experience or background in any of the following - Fork-truck, auto/diesel mechanics, construction trades, heavy equipment operation, heavy manufacturing, farming, welding, fabrication, machining, foundry, or qualifying experience similar to that above.

   Functional Requirements

   Consistently able to:

   • Manually lift and move product and materials up to 55 lbs. through regular physical exertion, including but not limited to reach forward, reach overhead, lift, carry, crouch, and bend
   • Power grip and wrist turn, including the use of hand tools and/or steering fork truck
   • Walk, sit, or stand for up to 12 hours with intermittent breaks
   • Push/pull up to 100 lbs.
   • See, inspect, handle and evaluate product quality
   • Read and understand written English language work instructions
   • Work in non-climate controlled environments, including hot and humid conditions
   • Climb ladders and stairs of varying heights
   • Wear task-based Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided by LSI
     • Protective Footwear
     • Hearing Protection
     • Protective Eyewear
     • Gloves
     • Additional PPE may as required by specific tasks

   
   Industry Leading Benefits:

   • Generous medical/dental insurance plan
   • Flexible PTO/UTO policy
   • 401k with company match
   • Company-paid Short-term disability
   • Employee assistance plan
   • Career advancement
   • Formal leadership development
   • Education reimbursement program
   • Recognition and awards
   • Employee events (fishing contests, Christmas turkeys, potlucks, appreciation meals, and more)

   
   Similar job titles

   #machine operator, #machine tender, #material handler, #furnace tender, #heat treat, #machine setup, #Finisher #Secondary Operations, #Core Room, #Fork Truck, #

   This job posting does cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

   EEO/AA/M/W/Vet/Disability

   Equal Opportunity Employer
   Fair Chance Hiring Practice

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right furnace tender 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 furnace tender job on Zippia to find and recruit furnace tender 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 furnace tenders, 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 furnace tender

   Once you have selected a candidate for the furnace tender 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 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 furnace tender 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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