Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
Part-time
Hourly
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Compensation

Hourly
Exact $20.30
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Retirement benefits
education benefits
Paid Time Off
competitive pay
Career growth opportunities
Professional Development

Job Description

Smithfield Foods is a prominent American food company known for its leadership in the packaged meats and fresh pork product market. With a rich history grounded in sustainable food production, Smithfield is dedicated to feeding people around the world while upholding respect for its employees, animals, communities, and the planet. This commitment to responsible food production is supported by a culture rooted in the Core Four values: gratitude, communication, respect, and accountability. At Smithfield, employees experience an environment fostering learning, collaboration, and innovation, making it an ideal place to build a rewarding and impactful career. The company offers a variety of positions across multiple locations and functions, providing numerous opportunities for growth and professional development. The benefits at Smithfield include comprehensive health insurance, retirement plans, and education benefits available to both full and part-time team members upon meeting eligibility requirements. Employees also enjoy industry-leading wages with competitive hourly starting pay, reflecting the company's investment in its workforce.

The Skilled Knife team member role at Smithfield Foods is fundamental in the production process that guarantees safe and high-quality meat products. This position involves the use of hand tools and knives, including straight knives, skinning tools, shaving tools, hand saws, powered whizard knives, and other specialized equipment, to process meat products efficiently and safely. Employees in this role must demonstrate strong attention to detail, reliability, and a solid work ethic to support safety, quality, and team collaboration goals daily. The job can be physically demanding, requiring hand-eye coordination and the ability to work under varied environmental conditions such as cold, warm, wet, and humid areas. Skilled Knife workers must adhere to safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment like hard hats, hearing, eye, and body protection, and steel-toed safety shoes. This role's responsibilities include maintaining a safe and efficient production line, supporting coworkers, and contributing to the company mission of delivering responsibly produced, high-quality food to consumers across the country. Candidates should be ready to work scheduled shifts, including potential overtime depending on production demands, and perform physically repetitive tasks including lifting, standing for extended periods, and working in environments exposed to animal blood, sanitation chemicals, and strong odors. Overall, the Skilled Knife position offers a challenging yet rewarding career pathway within a respected company dedicated to sustainability and community values, making it an excellent opportunity for motivated individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in the food production industry.

Job Requirements

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
  • Capability of continuous and repetitive movement including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms
  • Ability to stand on concrete and platforms for up to 12-hour shifts
  • Willingness to work around animal blood and carcass parts
  • Ability to work with knives safely
  • Comfortable working in cold (20-40 degrees) and warm (over 100 degrees) environments
  • Willingness to work in wet and humid conditions
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment including hard hat, hearing, eye, body protection, and steel-toed safety shoes
  • Ability to work in noisy environments
  • Capability to work with sanitation and cleaning chemicals
  • Endurance to work around strong smells and odors
  • Ability to climb ladders, steps, stairways, walkways, and platforms
  • Ability to bend, stoop, and twist repetitively
  • Capacity to walk long distances
  • May require certification to operate equipment
  • Ability to perform physically demanding tasks including lifting up to 60 lbs
  • Reliability and strong work ethic
  • Willingness to work scheduled shifts and overtime as necessary

Job Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent preferred
  • Previous experience in meat processing or related role is an asset but not required
  • Ability to handle physically demanding tasks
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Job Duties

  • Work with hand tools, knives, machinery and other equipment to process meat products
  • Use straight knives, skinning tools, shaving tools, hand saws, powered whizard knives and other various knives
  • Maintain safety standards and use personal protective equipment
  • Support coworkers and contribute to a positive work environment
  • Ensure efficient production line operations
  • Follow oral and written instructions accurately
  • Work scheduled shifts and overtime as required

Job Criteria

Experience

No experience required


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