How to hire a manufacturing helper

How to hire a manufacturing helper, step by step

Here's a step-by-step manufacturing helper hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a manufacturing helper, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A manufacturing helper's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, manufacturing helpers 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 manufacturing helper salaries for various roles:

   Type of Manufacturing Helper	Description	Hourly rate
   Manufacturing Helper		$12-23
   Generator Worker	A Generator Worker is in charge of operating generator systems on a daily basis, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, understanding blueprints and schematics, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency... Show more	$12-19
   Assembly Line Worker	Assembly line workers are factory or production floor employees who work on putting together company products. They are assigned to work on a specific part of the product... Show more	$10-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Machine Operators
   • CNC
   • Customer Specifications

   Responsibilities:

   • Load and unload racks, baskets, skids, dollies and conveyors.
   • Learned pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and become familiar with GMP and FDA regulations.
   • Provide guidance to technician to troubleshoot issue relate to solid oral dosage form tablet in particular at production facility.
   • Keep area clean and follow all Osha, DEQ and company policies.
   • Confirm proper implant of geophones.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, manufacturing helpers' average salary in new mexico is 55% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level manufacturing helpers 49% less than senior-level manufacturing helpers.
   • Certifications. A manufacturing helper 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 manufacturing helper's salary.

   Average manufacturing helper salary

   $35,278yearly

   $16.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level manufacturing helper salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a manufacturing helper job description

   A good manufacturing helper job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a manufacturing helper job description:

   Manufacturing helper job description example

   **WestRock (NYSE:WRK)** partners with our customers to provide differentiated paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock's team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.
   **Summary:**
   
   The Manufacturing Helper role is an entry level position to learn the processes of manufacturing (paper and packaging).
   
   **Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:**
   
   Assist operators as needed.
   
   Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   Alert operator to carton defects when found.
   
   Follow all safety rules and procedures and actively participate in the plant safety process.
   
   Maintain housekeeping and organization at the working area.
   
   **The qualifications part should read as follows:**
   
   **Requirements for the position:**
   
   • GED/High School diploma required
   
   • Ability to read materials to understand and apply content, such as instruction manuals, procedure manuals or assembly manuals
   
   • Ability to write in order to accomplish such tasks as completing forms or communicating simple instructions
   
   • Must wear safety glasses, safety shoes, hearing protection and other safety gear as required
   
   • Continuous standing and walking
   
   • Occasional kneeling, crouching, squatting and bending
   
   • Frequent heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs), climbing and grasping
   
   • Ability to work in an uncontrolled temperature environment (hot or cold)
   
   WestRock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. WestRock does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.
   
   \#CB
   
   **\#GA**
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right manufacturing helper for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with manufacturing helpers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit manufacturing helpers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your manufacturing helper job on Zippia to find and recruit manufacturing helper 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 manufacturing helpers, 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 manufacturing helper

   Once you have selected a candidate for the manufacturing helper 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.

   To prepare for the new manufacturing helper 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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