How to hire a process machine operator

How to hire a process machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a process machine operator, 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 process machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, process machine operators 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 shows salaries for various types of process machine operators.

   Type of Process Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Process Machine Operator		$11-51
   Digital Retoucher	A digital retoucher specializes in altering or enhancing images using special computer software. Their responsibilities usually include assessing photos to identify which areas need retouching, accepting requests from the clients, removing blemishes, adjusting the brightness or sharpness, cropping or re-sizing the images, and changing color temperatures... Show more	$11-51
   Retoucher	Retouchers are skilled professionals who use advanced computer imaging software to change or modify the appearance of a photo or other digital image. These professionals must interface directly with clients to perform multiple image composition, color correction, and image manipulation... Show more	$11-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Quality Checks
   • Safety Procedures
   • Quality Products
   • CNC
   • HACCP
   • Quality Standards
   • Data Entry
   • Machine Operation
   • GMP
   • Production Equipment
   • Extrusion
   • Processing Equipment
   • Process Control
   • Perform Routine Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Train in GMP'S and HACCP'S.
   • Learned how to chart the processes using SPC.
   • Operate CNC machine on a variety of titanium parts.
   • Train others on GMP and KPI concepts and goals.
   • Perform calculated procedures to erase defects in mold parts and to ensure machinery run properly.
   • Assemble parts into complete assembly, using jigs, fixtures surface plates, and surface table.

   More process machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your process machine operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A process 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 process machine operator in Kansas may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level process machine operator usually earns less than a senior-level process machine operator. Additionally, a process 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 process machine operator salary

   $51,577yearly

   $24.80 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level process machine operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average process machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$87,867	$42
   2	Massachusetts	$84,668	$41
   3	Ohio	$72,747	$35
   4	California	$62,092	$30
   5	Pennsylvania	$53,824	$26
   6	Virginia	$49,666	$24
   7	Tennessee	$45,357	$22
   8	Washington	$44,021	$21
   9	Illinois	$43,714	$21
   10	Kansas	$43,695	$21
   11	Colorado	$42,582	$20
   12	Minnesota	$41,008	$20
   13	Alabama	$37,047	$18

   Average process machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Alere	$96,794	$46.54
   2	Fifth Third Bank	$91,050	$43.77	3
   3	Abbott	$82,205	$39.52	45
   4	Lexmark	$80,238	$38.58	1
   5	SP Industries	$61,551	$29.59	1
   6	Pretium Packaging	$52,695	$25.33	11
   7	Expert Staffing	$52,318	$25.15	1
   8	ROMAC INDUSTRIES	$52,058	$25.03	2
   9	Hanwha Holdings	$51,825	$24.92
   10	Brink's	$51,352	$24.69	6
   11	Willamette Egg Farms	$48,891	$23.51
   12	SCHOTT	$47,743	$22.95
   13	VVF	$45,108	$21.69
   14	TreeHouse Foods	$41,676	$20.04	7
   15	John B. Sanfilippo & Son	$39,906	$19.19	3
   16	Campbells	$39,854	$19.16	24
   17	Shearer's Foods	$38,304	$18.42	4
   18	Campbell Soup	$37,451	$18.01	21
   19	US Foods	$36,842	$17.71	6
   20	Fresh	$36,427	$17.51

4. Writing a process machine operator job description

   A process 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 process machine operator job description:

   Process machine operator job description example

   JOB TITLE: PM Cracker Proc. 7th Day Relief BUSINESS UNIT: Campbell Snacks

   FUNCTION: Supply Chain

   REPORTS TO: Devin Porter

   NUMBER AND TITLES OF DIRECT REPORTS: None

   GRADE/LEVEL (If role is already leveled): Hourly

   GENERAL SUMMARY (Generally 4-6 sentences demonstrating key outcomes of role):

   Operate Processing machines within the Processing Team will be Flex operator to various positions.

   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (Key focus areas / accountabilities including how those accountabilities are managed with percentage of time allocation for each result)

   Safely set up, adjust and operate processing machines such as mixer, laminator, oven, and scaler. Will rotate positions, give breaks, and operate as schedule requires; may be scheduled to cover Utility driver. Maintain area in good housekeeping order, complete required paperwork, and perform other duties as assigned by supervision. Participate as team member to accomplish training and cover schedules. Overtime and occasional weekend work may be required. Support and participate in preventive maintenance program. Heavy lifting will be required. Comply with food safety procedures and follow plant GMPs.

   PM/Swing Shift

   COMPLEXITY AND SCOPE:

   MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED: Must have obtained high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

   MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

   EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE PREFERRED (NOT REQUIRED): preferred to have production line manufacturing experience or to have food service and food handling experience

   CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

   LICENSES/REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED

   OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS NEEDED

   % OF TRAVEL REQUIRED FOR THE POSITION

   WORK ENVIRONMENT

   The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

   In that regard, U.S. applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here for additional information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right process machine operator 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 process machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit process machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting process 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.

   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 process machine operator

   Once you've selected the best process 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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.)

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