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How to hire a retort operator

Retort operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring retort operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a retort operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new retort operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a retort operator, step by step

To hire a retort operator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a retort operator:

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

    First, determine the employments status of the retort operator you need to hire. Certain retort 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?

    Hiring the perfect retort 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 retort operators.

    Type of Retort OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Retort Operator$13-22
    Manufacturing OperatorA manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals... Show more$12-20
    Production OperatorA production operator is responsible for handling and monitoring manufacturing machines in a factory or similar establishment, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and according to schedule. Aside from assisting with the processing and packaging of goods, a production operator must also conduct necessary inspections to the machine or equipment that they are using to make sure that it is in good condition and is safe to use... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Hazardous Materials
    • Thermal Processing
    • FDA
    • CCP
    • RAN
    • Quality Checks
    • USDA
    Responsibilities:
    • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
    • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, retort operators' average salary in wyoming is 45% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level retort operators 40% less than senior-level retort operators.
    • Certifications. A retort 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 retort operator's salary.

    Average retort operator salary

    $36,573yearly

    $17.58 hourly rate

    Entry-level retort operator salary
    $28,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 21, 2026
  4. Writing a retort operator job description

    A retort 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a retort operator job description:

    Retort operator job description example

    SOPAKCO is a leading supplier of convenience foods and military rations including the U.S. government and other large Consumer Product Goods companies.

    SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    Reports to the Production Supervisor and is responsible for completing all duties and tasks assigned to them before their normal work shift ends. The Retort Operators purpose is to oversee and guide the cooking process to ensure that the product is completely sterilized and of the highest quality.

    PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

    A) Obey GMP s and PPE s for production areas.

    MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    A) Pressure cooking the product, commercially sterilizing the product.

    B) Accessing menus on a LCD screen to load the appropriate recipe on the retort oven.

    C) Loading/unloading trays of food into the retort oven.

    D) Scheduling workload in loading the retort ovens.

    E) Overseeing the cooking process by watching the cooking gauges for pressure measured in PSI, temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, and water flow in gallons per minute. Watching for variances in three factors and making any necessary adjustments to compensate accordingly.

    F) Logging every batch (start/stop times), loading number of trays in the retort log and the count sheet for computer entry (for Packaging s sake).

    G) Verifying the log sheet throughout their shift and at the end of the shift for accuracy.

    H) Performs other duties as assigned.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    This position requires the successful completion of training and certification from Better Processing Control School within the first year in position.

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

    EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

    Minimum GED or High School Education

    TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

    To perform this job assignment an individual must meet the required job specific training located in the Training Register.

    LANGUAGE SKILLS

    Ability to read a limited number of two and three syllable words and to recognize similarities and differences between words and between series of numbers. Ability to write and speak in simple sentences.

    MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

    Fundamental knowledge for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, while being quick and accurate in the calculations. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

    REASONING ABILITY

    Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

    WORK ENVIRONMENT

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is sometimes exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is frequently exposed to extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

    COMPENSATION PACKAGE

    Competitive Base Salary

    Matching 401(k)

    Comprehensive Benefits Package to include Medical, Dental and Life Insurances

    Company DescriptionWe are a privately-owned holding company based in the southeastern United States (Tennessee & South Carolina), with subsidiaries engaged in food processing and packaging, metals stamping and production, consumer products importing, third party logistics and commodities trading. The company is looking to reinvest its profits to drive growth. The growth strategy contemplates launching proprietary branded products and expanding contract manufacturing capabilities.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find retort operators 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 retort operator job on Zippia to find and recruit retort operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting retort 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.

    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 retort operator

    Once you've found the retort operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    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 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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How much does it cost to hire a retort operator?

Recruiting retort operators involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $36,573 per year for a retort operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for retort operators in the US typically range between $13 and $22 an hour.

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