How to hire a molding press operator

How to hire a molding press operator, step by step

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

Post a molding press operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the molding press operator you need to hire. Certain molding press 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

   Hiring the perfect molding press operator 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of molding press operators.

   Type of Molding Press Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Molding Press Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-18
   Molding Technician	A Molding Technician specializes in molding materials such as plastic or metal. They are responsible for operating and calibrating machinery, adhering to product guidelines, conducting quality inspections on finished products, lifting heavy materials, and training new workforce members... Show more	$15-24
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Inspect Products
   • Air Pressure
   • Safety Procedures
   • Quality Checks
   • Plastic Injection
   • Press Machine
   • SPC
   • Assembly Line
   • Quality Standards
   • Machine Operation
   • Color Changes
   • CNC
   • Troubleshoot
   • Dryers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Require molding expect rate of part producing and achieving ISO QualityStandards.
   • Operate CNC and manual machines for the manufacturing of various metal parts.
   • Research and choose new ASTM testing methods that can be used with the current tools available when present with new projects.
   • Demonstrate efficient manual dexterity at a rapid and continuous rate.
   • Build car parts for Honda.
   • Run molding machine to make mold mud flaps for all Honda vehicles.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, molding press operators' average salary in virginia is 33% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level molding press operators 32% less than senior-level molding press operators.
   • Certifications. A molding press 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 molding press operator's salary.

   Average molding press operator salary

   $15.24hourly

   $31,705 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level molding press operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a molding press operator job description

   A molding press 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 molding press operator job description:

   Molding press operator job description example

   At Greene, Tweed, you'll find the cutting-edge technology, world-class polymer expertise and endless advancement opportunities you'd expect from a multi-national industry leader. You'll find them all in an environment that embraces diversity in people and opinions, moves decision making to the point of impact, and celebrates your success.
   
   If you enjoy continuous learning and are excited about working with and creating technological solutions, explore career opportunities with Greene, Tweed.
   
   Job summary: Set- up and operates compression molding machines and support equipment to make specified components that meet quality standards, design specifications and production requirements.
   Essential
   Duties/Responsibilities:
   
   • Molding of quality rubber and fabric parts using materials & fabrics inserted into a mold and placed in a heated press line. Understanding of press cycle times and meticulous removal of parts from mold required.
   • Facilitates press operations by selecting proper molds, inspecting mold surfaces, sandblasting & cleaning as required and positioning into press plates.
   • Uses basic hand tools & measure devices, electric hoist, sand blasters, knives, shears, etc.
   • Interpret job paperwork to determine schedule, assembly procedure, process requirements and quality requirements necessary to complete the task accurately and on time.
   • Perform computer transactions necessary to reference online documentation, provide production order feedback on time, quantity, scrap, batch control and quality information.
   • Accurately completes and forwards job paperwork with appropriate stamps, quantity, date, initials etc., as per work
   • Verify accuracy of components issued, job paperwork, attached drawings, router and tool requirements.
   • Follows all safety precautions and rules, including wearing protective equipment, as required.
   
   Note: This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Supervisor. All requirements are subject to change and updates.
   
   We offer a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short term and long term disability insurance, 401K savings plan, paid time-off, tuition assistance and more, to meet the diverse needs of all employees and their family members.
   
   EEO Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled
   
   Greene, Tweed, a Federal Contractor, is an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or their protected veteran status.
   
   NOTE: Greene, Tweed is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at GT without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of Greene, Tweed, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Greene, Tweed as a result of the referral or through other means.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right molding press operator 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 molding press operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit molding press operators 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 molding press operator job on Zippia to find and recruit molding press 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 molding press 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 molding press operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the molding press 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 molding press 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a molding press operator?