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How to hire a unit leader

Unit leader hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring unit leaders in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a unit leader 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 unit leader to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a unit leader, step by step

To hire a unit leader, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a unit leader, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step unit leader hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a unit leader job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new unit leader
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a unit leader do?

A unit leader is responsible for managing logistics and route efficiency to increase territory profits. Responsibilities include leading operational projects in manufacturing, coordinating daily cash reconciliation, and reviewing analytical reports before submission to QA. Additionally, you will be responsible for compiling reports for management and developing department communication strategies. As a unit leader, you will be assessing clients for a variety of entitlement programs and performing vendor management and administrative duties related to facilitation, special projects, and web-based training.

Learn more about the specifics of what a unit leader does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your unit leader job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a unit leader for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect unit leader 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.

    Here's a comparison of unit leader salaries for various roles:

    Type of Unit LeaderDescriptionHourly rate
    Unit LeaderRecreation workers design and lead recreational and leisure activities for groups in volunteer agencies or recreation facilities, such as playgrounds, parks, camps, aquatic centers, and senior centers. They may lead activities such as arts and crafts, dance, sports, adventure programs, music, and camping.$8-48
    Summer Camp CounselorSummer camps are programs with different themes organized for children or teenagers during the summer months. Summer camp counselors are responsible for the overall supervision of campers and the planning and implementation of the different programs to give children a memorable experience... Show more$8-17
    Day Camp CounselorThe job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking... Show more$9-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Customer Service
    • Cash Handling
    • Staff Training
    • Role Model
    • Patients
    • Enjoyable Dining
    • Kids
    • Patient Care
    • World Class
    • Safety Procedures
    • Leadership
    • Excellent Interpersonal
    • Develop Team
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage the execution of programs that ensure compliance with the FDA, OSHA, and other government agencies.
    • Manage route efficiency and logistics to maximize territory profits.
    • Assess patients in active withdrawals and provide interventions to manage physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
    • Med manager, CPR and mandatory reporting certify.
    • Provide the USEPA a QC summary for each project.
    • Review analytical reports prior to approval and submission to QA.
    More unit leader duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, unit leaders' average salary in louisiana is 67% less than in new york.
    • Seniority. Entry-level unit leaders 82% less than senior-level unit leaders.
    • Certifications. A unit leader 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 unit leader's salary.

    Average unit leader salary

    $42,921yearly

    $20.64 hourly rate

    Entry-level unit leader salary
    $18,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 25, 2025

    Average unit leader salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$80,926$39
    2California$72,519$35
    3Massachusetts$71,891$35
    4Connecticut$68,841$33
    5Washington$52,740$25
    6West Virginia$50,508$24
    7Mississippi$47,938$23
    8North Carolina$44,517$21
    9Illinois$42,616$20
    10Michigan$41,663$20
    11Florida$39,827$19
    12Wisconsin$39,522$19
    13New Mexico$38,249$18
    14Puerto Rico$36,668$18
    15Colorado$36,151$17
    16Texas$34,974$17
    17Missouri$34,805$17
    18Alabama$33,694$16
    19South Carolina$33,592$16
    20Indiana$32,114$15

    Average unit leader salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Genentech$160,066$76.9516
    2Exxon Mobil$142,392$68.46
    3Google$136,498$65.6213
    4SAP$135,854$65.313
    5Microsoft$129,822$62.4116
    6Palo Alto Networks$125,465$60.3230
    7Western & Southern Financial Group$123,040$59.15
    8Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc$122,587$58.942
    9The New York Foundling$115,782$55.66
    10General Electric$113,120$54.38269
    11Accenture$108,118$51.98331
    12Capgemini$100,432$48.2826
    13Raymond James Financial$96,359$46.331
    14Campbell Soup$95,568$45.952
    15Boston Public Schools$93,419$44.912
    16IBM$93,327$44.87135
    17White Plains Hospital$92,415$44.432
    18CentraState Healthcare System$86,538$41.601
    19Western Union$86,477$41.58
    20Regional Medical Center- Orangeburg$85,573$41.141
  4. Writing a unit leader job description

    A job description for a unit leader role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a unit leader job description:

    Unit leader job description example

    Join our team now and receive our $1500.00 sign-on bonus!

    Essential Functions and Activities:

    Supervise production line and feeder cell operations in accordance with plant policies and procedures.

    Assures that team members are properly trained and have the necessary tools and equipment to perform tasks.

    Inspects work performed by team members for quality, accuracy, and efficiency.

    Coordinate production startups, shutdowns, and changeovers and report the daily status of truck production.

    Calculates staffing required and makes appropriate job assignments and coordinates with Human Resources for appropriate staffing levels.

    Advises and assists the engineering department with BOM errors and design and routing issues.

    Adjust as necessary during the shift to produce products within specifications.

    Operate within standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Job Safety Analysis (JSAs).

    Ensure that housekeeping and visual workplace requirements are maintained.

    Monitor performance of team members regularly, and completes annual and probationary performance reviews.

    Enforces company policies and procedures and administers corrective action when necessary.

    Supports and participates in Morgan Olson’s PPS team efforts.

    Adheres to Quality policy by exceeding customer expectations, being customer focused, and supporting continuous improvement activities.

    Adheres to Safety policies and practices behavioral-based safety 100% of the time.

    Other duties as assigned.

    Physical Requirements/Hazards

    The job requires extensive standing, stooping, or bending, lifting, reaching, twisting, and turning to assemble parts. Lifting will involve fabricated parts and assemblies weighing anywhere from several pounds to 50 pounds. Parts weighing more than 50 pounds are handled with a hoist or with help from another team member.

    PPE: Steel-toed safety shoes, Safety glasses with side shields are always required. Other PPE such as hearing protection, gloves, safety goggles, respirators, etc. may be required depending upon the task at hand.

    Qualifications:

    High School Diploma or GED plus 1-2 years’ experience with production processes.

    Good leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to multi-task.

    Excellent interpersonal skills must be able to motivate and maintain morale of team members.

    Excellent attendance record.

    MORGAN OLSON LLC

    Morgan Olson is the leading walk-in van body manufacturer in North America producing over 7,500 vehicles annually. Morgan Olson’s portfolio of customers serves a multitude of industries and delivery applications. The primary industry served by these iconic Morgan Olson Walk-in vans is parcel package pick up & delivery because most everything ordered on-line is delivered by a Morgan Olson Walk-In Stepvan. Other key industries served include Textile Rental and Laundry services, baking and snack foods, newspaper delivery, service & utility vehicles, and the ever-growing mobile cuisine food trucks!

    Morgan Olson’s leadership stands committed and focused. Reinvesting tens of millions of dollars back into Morgan Olson’s production facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced automation technologies, producing the safest and most efficient "last mile" home delivery work trucks on the market today.

    Salary info:

    $21 - $27.50 / hr

  5. Post your job

    To find unit leaders for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any unit leaders they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level unit leaders with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your unit leader job on Zippia to find and recruit unit leader 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 unit leaders, 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.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 unit leader

    Once you have selected a candidate for the unit leader 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.

    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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new unit leader. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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 unit leader?

Recruiting unit leaders 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.

The median annual salary for unit leaders is $42,921 in the US. However, the cost of unit leader hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a unit leader for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $8 and $48 an hour.

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