How to hire a line runner

How to hire a line runner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step line runner hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The line runner 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 line runner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, line runners 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.

   This list presents line runner salaries for various positions.

   Type of Line Runner	Description	Hourly rate
   Line Runner	Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.	$12-18
   Food Server	A Food Server specializes in helping customers attain a pleasant dining experience while ensuring to meet all food handling and health regulation standards. Most of the responsibilities revolve around greeting customers and directing them to comfortable seats, responding to their inquires and taking their orders, and courteously suggesting options... Show more	$8-16
   Line Up Worker	The Responsibilities of a Line-Up Worker varies upon the organization or industry. Still, most of the tasks revolve around doing manual work such as loading and unloading heavy shipments, operating various devices and machines of different sizes, assist in maintenance and assembling, and coordinating with teammates and reporting to supervisors... Show more	$9-17

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sops
   • Assembly Line
   • Pallets
   • Line Equipment
   • Food Preparation
   • Quality Checks
   • Production Lines
   • Dishwashers
   • Package Processing Equipment
   • RF
   • Customer Orders
   • Safety Standards
   • PVC
   • Front Line

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Set up and operate an extrusion machine in accordance with establish procedures and guidelines and customer requirements.
   • Lift raw materials, finish products, and pack items, manually or using hoists.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, line runners' average salary in mississippi is 41% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level line runners 34% less than senior-level line runners.
   • Certifications. A line runner 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 line runner's salary.

   Average line runner salary

   $14.98hourly

   $31,162 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level line runner salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a line runner job description

   A line runner 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 line runner job description:

   Line runner job description example

   Pay: $23.00 hourly- $27.60 hourly
   
   We proudly offer: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with Company Match, Pet insurance and more!
   
   We reward the hard work of our team members with fun and exciting company events, Picnic, BBQ Packages, Vacation Celebrations, and associate referral bonuses!
   
   Piping Rock Health Products, founded in 2011, winning Long Island's Top Workplaces Award four years in a row, is supported by a group of vitamin visionaries with over 40 years of industry experience and a carefully curated team of talented associates. Piping Rock is a global vitamin and supplement manufacturer with an unwavering commitment to creating quality wellness products. Being deemed an essential business from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Piping Rock has kept its doors open, production moving, and associates safe. We believe that family always comes first, and that the dedication of our associates is the key ingredient to our success.
   
   Join our growing family today!
   
   Under the direction of the Director of packaging/ Manager/ supervisor/ Lead, the Line Runner is responsible for ensuring the efficiency of the operation of a packaging line and adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) that are in effect assuring the quality and quantity of products.
   
   Responsibilities
   
   Ensures that the packaging line is set-up and runs productively following all Packaging Operations SOPs and cGMPs
   
   Completes appropriate paperwork
   
   Responsible for proper data entry in all packaging log books
   
   Checking of bulk and packaging components before start-up of line
   
   Cleaning and organizing of the packaging line
   
   Ensure that there are unattended machines running at peak times
   
   Participates in training of new line attendants
   
   Runs the various packaging line equipment
   
   In- Process check control during process (every 30 minutes)
   
   Maintains a clean and orderly work area
   
   Ensure proper lot number and expiration date are applied to labeled product
   
   Complies with company policies and procedures and maintains regular work attendance
   
   Requirements
   
   High school diploma or general education degree (GED) preferred
   
   Prior manufacturing or packaging experience preferred
   
   Ability to write simple correspondence in English
   
   Bi-lingual is a plus
   
   Basic mathematical skills
   
   Must be able to lift up to 50 LBS
   
   Physical ability to repetitively lift, stand, climb, bend, etc. within a packaging environment for duration of shift
   
   Must be able to respond to verbal and written instructions
   
   All other duties as assigned
   
   We are drug free workplace, regulated by the FDA, required to follow Federal Guidelines; therefore in order to start as well as maintain employment, you must be able to successfully clear drug screening processes, which include testing for all illegal substances per Federal Guidelines.
   
   Piping Rock Health Products LLC is an equal opportunity employer.
   
   Benefits
   
   Piping Rock proudly offers comprehensive medical, dental, vision plans to all full-time associates. In addition, voluntary life insurance, flexible spending plans, and short-term disability plans may be optionally added. All full-time associates also receive group term life insurance and long term disability coverage. Associates are eligible to participate in a 401(k) savings plan with a generous company match.
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find line runners for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your line runner job on Zippia to find and recruit line runner 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 line runners, 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 line runner

   Once you've selected the best line runner 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new line runner. 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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