Grinder​/Lift - 1st Shift

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Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that sustainably feeds people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values – gratitude, communication, respect and accountability – and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

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Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages.

• Hourly Competitive Starting Pay - $22.50/hour
• Shift start time: 3:30 AM
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.
• Education benefit available to full‑time and part‑time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements.

In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.

As a Powered Equipment Operator at Smithfield Foods, you'll play a key role in delivering safe, high‑quality food by performing essential production tasks and supporting your coworkers. Your reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic will help us meet our standards for safety, quality, and teamwork every day.

You’ll contribute to a positive work environment, help maintain a safe and efficient production line, and ensure our products reach families across America. Your dedication and willingness to learn will make a real difference – both to your team and to our mission of delivering good food responsibly.

Powered Equipment Operators will work with forklifts, jack lifts, high lifts, and powered industrial trucks to support movement of product throughout the facility. These positions require meeting specific certifications during the qualification period. They can be physically demanding and require good hand‑eye coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to work the scheduled shift, including overtime when needed.

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 ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Perform tasks requiring continuous or repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching, flexing the hands, and extending the arms.
• Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12‑hour shift.
• Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts.
• Use a box cutter safely.
• Work in cold areas (approximately 20‑40°F) or warm areas (over 100°F).
• Work in a wet and humid environment.
• Wear a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel‑toed safety shoes.
• Operate in a noisy environment using PPE.
• Handle sanitation/cleaning chemicals.
• Work around strong smells or odors.
• Climb or move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways, and platforms.
• Bend, stoop, and twist repeatedly throughout a shift.
• Walk long distances.
• May require certification to operate various equipment.
• Work is physically demanding, can require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects up to 60 lbs, or lifting using mechanical assistance.
• Vision: close and distance vision, ability to adjust focus.
• Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. May perform other duties as assigned.

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757‑357‑1595.