What does a sorting machine operator do?
Sorting machine operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sorting machine operator resumes:
- Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
- Create designs on computer to run on embroidery machines--run 4 head and single head embroidery jobs daily.
- Start with a 2-head embroidery machine.
- Operate drill press, CNC lathes, tapping and automatic machines.
- Create embroidery on everything from hats to race suits to baseball bags.
- Lift and unload containers of mail and parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
- Execute daily operations consisting of completing all traceable paperwork, per OSHA and FDA records.
- Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.
- Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.
Sorting machine operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Sorting Machine Operators are proficient in Safety Guidelines, RAN, and Assembly Line. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Physical strength, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Sorting Machine Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Guidelines, 20%
Lifted raw material to feed equipment and cleared jams per safety guidelines.
- RAN, 16%
Sorted mail Ran a machine that sorted mail to the proper bins
- Assembly Line, 15%
Scan packages and mail buy boxes sort email out by ZIP codes work the assembly line and ship packages out
- Mail Handling, 7%
Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks; and other duties related to mail handling within the postal service
- Quality Checks, 7%
Performed a series of continuous sorting quality checks.
- Hand Sort, 7%
Replace wheels, and snapped belts on mail sorting machinery/ Hand sort mail by location addresses, and area codes.
Most sorting machine operators use their skills in "safety guidelines," "ran," and "assembly line" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential sorting machine operator responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a sorting machine operator to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "postal service workers, particularly clerks, regularly interact with customers." Sorting machine operators often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "sorted mail for the usps and other customers and businesses throughout the united states. "
Physical strength. Another essential skill to perform sorting machine operator duties is physical strength. Sorting machine operators responsibilities require that "postal service workers must be able to lift heavy mail bags and parcels without injuring themselves." Sorting machine operators also use physical strength in their role according to a real resume snippet: "create invoices for non-expected inventory, physically/ manually unload trucks, operate forklift to unload/ load trucks. "
The three companies that hire the most sorting machine operators are:
- Stanley Black & Decker6 sorting machine operators jobs
- ITW3 sorting machine operators jobs
- Broadridge2 sorting machine operators jobs
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Compare different sorting machine operators
Sorting machine operator vs. Mail processing
A mail processor is responsible for sorting mail and documents to ensure accurate delivery and distribution across the recipients. Mail processors manage route orders, send delivery information to the receivers, and update completed distributions on the database. They also process cancellation orders, labeling mail and inspecting the quality of mail before loading it to the truck. A mail processor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling information and resolving mail delivery failures and discrepancies.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between sorting machine operators and mail processing. For instance, sorting machine operator responsibilities require skills such as "safety guidelines," "ran," "assembly line," and "quality checks." Whereas a mail processing is skilled in "processing equipment," "zip codes," "processing mail," and "pallet jack." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Mail processings earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $39,382. On the other hand, sorting machine operators are paid more in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $30,802.mail processings tend to reach similar levels of education than sorting machine operators. In fact, mail processings are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Sorting machine operator vs. Mail handler sorter
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, sorting machine operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety guidelines," "ran," "assembly line," and "quality checks." Meanwhile, a mail handler sorter has duties that require skills in areas such as "unload containers," "supply support," "copy machines," and "load trucks." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Mail handler sorters earn similar levels of education than sorting machine operators in general. They're 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sorting machine operator vs. Mail processing equipment mechanic
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from sorting machine operator resumes include skills like "safety guidelines," "ran," "assembly line," and "mail handling," whereas a mail processing equipment mechanic is more likely to list skills in "safety inspections," "troubleshoot problems," "plc," and "mail processing equipment. "
Mail processing equipment mechanics typically earn higher educational levels compared to sorting machine operators. Specifically, they're 5.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sorting machine operator vs. Mail processing clerk
Types of sorting machine operator
Updated January 8, 2025
