As a Machine Operator team member 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.  

What You’ll Do 

Machine Operators will work with meat cutting/packaging machines and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. These positions require technical knowledge of computerized equipment.  Machine Operator positions are physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Machine Operators must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands. 

Physical Demands & Work Environment 

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

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 

Applicants must be willing and able to:  

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions 

• Perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms 

• Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12-hour shift 

• Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts 

• Work with a knife (if trained) 

• Work in cold areas (approximately 20-40 degrees) and/or warm areas (over 100 degrees) 

• Work in an environment that is wet and humid 

• Work while wearing a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes 

• Work in a noisy environment using personal protective equipment (PPE) 

• Work with sanitation/cleaning chemicals 

• Work around strong smells/odors 

• Climb/move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways and platforms 

• Bend, stoop, and twist repetitively over the course of an entire shift 

• Walk long distances 

• May require certification in order to operate various pieces of equipment required for the position  

• This work is physically demanding and can require the use of some or all body parts and muscle groups.  Some positions may require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects which can weigh up to 60 lbs, or lifting of objects using mechanical assistance. 

• Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs. 

  This position requires the ability to read, write and communicate in English. English is needed to carry out the following tasks: (1) read and understand procedure manuals, signs and box labels; (2) work with warehouse computer systems; (3) complete written documents relating to company procedures; and (4) communicate clearly with co-workers and supervisors about day-to-day operations.

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