Bakery Plant Material Handler

Opportunity Compensation

$17.25 hourly

The Bakery Meal Plant Material Handler operates powered industrial vehicles/equipment for transporting, loading, and unloading both raw material and finished product in the bakery meal production process. The role must comply with established procedures related to quality, productivity, and safety.

• Follow standard operating instructions and procedures in all duties, including inspection and safe operation of powered industrial vehicles, housekeeping, and inventory management.
• Operate powered industrial vehicles in all areas of the plant.
• Regulate blending of materials as instructed to ensure attainment of specified product consistency and moisture content.
• Assist with inventory and perform assigned housekeeping duties to keep plant areas orderly.
• Spot trailers for unloading and unload both bulk and palletized trailers.
• Perform all work tasks in accordance with the site’s Environmental Management System (EMS) policy, including reporting environmental issues and understanding EMS procedures.
• Operate equipment safely to protect company assets and reduce risks to other workers.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

• High School Diploma or GED (preferred).
• Ability to work with and around a wide range of bakery waste products that may contain allergens.
• Ability to read and understand safety rules, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals in English.
• Ability to work an average of 50-hour weeks, including nights, holidays and weekends when required. Longer hours may be required based on business needs.
• Prior experience operating heavy equipment, forklifts, tractors, or other powered industrial vehicles preferred.
• Ability to acquire and maintain necessary certifications (e.g., weigh master, forklift, articulated loader, skid steer, tractor).
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable, and team‑oriented with a positive work mindset.

The job environment includes frequent lifting or moving of up to 60 lbs. Workers must stand, walk, use hands for handling, reach with arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The plant environment may be wet or humid, extreme cold or heat, contain moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise levels are usually moderate but can be loud in the production area.

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 veteran status, disability status, or any other protected class. If you have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the selection process, please call 757‑357‑1595.