Hatchery Laborer

Pilgrim's; Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision coverage

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Paid time off

401(k) match

Job summary

Pilgrim’s is seeking a Hatchery Laborer in Sumter, SC. This hands-on role involves handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching, and performing quality checks to maintain high animal care and biosecurity standards.

You'll operate specialized equipment, maintain cleanliness, and follow strict safety protocols in a fast-paced team setting. We offer a day shift with weekend work, benefits after 60 days, PTO, 401(k) match, and competitive base hourly rates of $18.45–$19.45

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.
• Must be able to work in high-temperature environments and lift 100 lbs or more repeatedly.

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) to ensure optimal hatching results.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, ensuring proper care and handling.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas to meet safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Follow all biosecurity and animal welfare protocols to protect flock health and product integrity.
• Record and maintain accurate data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting purposes.

Skills

Multitasking

Communication

Comprehension

Team player

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Description

At Pilgrim’s, Safety IsACondition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

At Pilgrim’s, Safety IsACondition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always. In this hands‑on role, you’ll be responsible for tasks such as handling eggs, monitoring incubation, assisting with chick hatching, and performing quality checks to maintain the highest animal care and biosecurity standards. You’ll operate specialized equipment, keep work areas clean, and follow strict safety and sanitation protocols. This is a fast‑paced environment where precision and teamwork are essential. If you’re reliable, detail-oriented, and eager to learn, this is your chance to grow with a company dedicated to excellence and animal welfare!

Responsibilities

• Handle and set eggs in incubators according to established procedures.
• Monitor incubation conditions (temperature, humidity, ventilation) to ensure optimal hatching results.
• Assist with chick hatching and transfer, ensuring proper care and handling.
• Perform quality checks on eggs and chicks to maintain health and biosecurity standards.
• Clean and sanitize equipment and work areas to meet strict safety and sanitation guidelines.
• Follow all biosecurity and animal welfare protocols to protect flock health and product integrity.
• Record and maintain accurate data on egg counts, hatch rates, and chick quality for reporting purposes.
• Other duties as assigned.

WhatYou’llNeed

• Education:High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Experience:Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.
• Skills:Ability to multitask and work quickly, have good communication skillsboth written and orally, ability to comprehend simple instructions and apply common sense, and must be a team player.
• Physical requirements:Work in high-temperature environments (100+°F), tolerate odors, and handle repetitive lifting/pushing of100lbsor more with continuous physical activity.Candidate must be able topush/pull 450 lb.buggies(on wheels)of chicks and eggs.
• Mustnotraise any poultry or birds.

Why Work forPilgrim’s?

• Schedule:Day shift and will include weekend work
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off:Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays or, any otherstatutorily required paid leave;
• 401(k):company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base hourly salaryrate of$18.45/hourfor Hatchery Laborer and$19.45/hourstraight pay for Embrex Laborer
• Career Development:Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs;

Better Futures

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibilitybe documentedfor all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us

Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe.

Our mission

To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

Our core values

Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE

EOE, including disability/vets