How to hire a senior production operator

How to hire a senior production operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a senior production 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

   Hiring the perfect senior production 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 presents senior production operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Senior Production Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Production Operator		$13-29
   Operation Supervisor	Operations supervisors manage a specific operations-related team or department. They ensure that all the agreed-upon key performance indicators are being met... Show more	$17-41
   Lead Operator/Machine Operator	A Lead Operator or an Industrial Machinery Mechanic is responsible for creating, installing, and repairing different types of machinery. This person does the adjustment and maintenance of machines as well as the industrial production and distribution of types of equipment and other systems... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Production Equipment
   • PC
   • Production Efficiency
   • Data Entry
   • Troubleshoot
   • Production Operations
   • Production Floor
   • Safety Procedures
   • Machine Operation
   • PLC
   • Quality Checks
   • GMP
   • Rig
   • OSHA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage equipment batch production documentation in accordance with FDA guidelines and CGMPs.
   • Lead targeted decision-making across fast-pace production operations for this growth-orient USDA food factory producing quality meat products.
   • Communicate and assist directly with customers in troubleshooting traceability issues when problems surface involving inventory discrepancies to comply with FDA requirements.
   • Accelerate development of core skills including leadership capability, functional excellence, professional skill and general business knowledge.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, senior production operators' average salary in florida is 40% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior production operators 52% less than senior-level senior production operators.
   • Certifications. A senior production 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 senior production operator's salary.

   Average senior production operator salary

   $42,414yearly

   $20.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level senior production operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a senior production operator job description

   A good senior production operator 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 senior production operator job description:

   Senior production operator job description example

   The Production Operator role enjoys an outstanding starting wage of $18.00-19.00 per hour. This role is also eligible for a limited time $1,000 sign on bonus. The Production Operator is capable of contributing to all phases of the production process. Included is the operation of automated production equipment, preliminary diagnosis/identification of equipment issues, aiding with preventive maintenance and packaging of final product. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate competency in making production decisions concerning the pre-flight and operation of equipment. Must be flexible to rotate job assignments throughout production. We have variable work schedules.

   Work Schedule: Nights 6:00pm - 6:00am -12 hour shift on a 2-2-3 schedule, Days 6:am - 6:00pm - 12 hour shift on a 2-2-3 schedule

   Responsibilities

   • Ensure that machinery is running properly
   • Maintain quality standards
   • Comply with GMPs
   • Partner with team members to maintain consistent line operation
   • Input required information into the ERP system
   • Report mechanical problems to supervisor and Maintenance
   • Work safely
   • Maintain up to date knowledge of machinery in assigned work area
   • Keep work are clean and without debris
   • Other duties as assigned

   Qualifications

   Required

   • High School Diploma or GED
   • Basic math skills
   • Must be able to read, write, understand and speak English to ensure effective training, coaching and safety
   • Capable of working on a computer and navigating through multiple screens
   • Ability to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis
   • Ability to stand a minimum of 8 hours to a maximum of 12 hours on a daily basis

   Preferred

   • Two (2) years related food production experience preferred
   • Experience operating PLC controlled equipment desired

   CraftMark Bakery offers a competitive, total compensation package, which includes benefits such as: medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k), short term and long-term disability, health savings account, paid holidays, and vacation time.

   CraftMark Bakery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, religion, veteran status, disability status, genetic information, or any other protected category.

   This employer participates in E-Verify.

   COVID-19 considerations:
   Free COVID testing with our in-house nurse and temperature checks as you walk in.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with senior production operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 senior production operator

   Once you've selected the best senior production 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.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new senior production operator 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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