Herdsperson - Sow Farm Trainee

Smithfield Foods; Cofield (NC); On-site; USD 1,929,000 - 2,755,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-job training

Career advancement

Full-time position

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Herdsperson to assist with daily animal care and husbandry at our North Carolina farm. The role involves feeding, vaccinating, moving animals, and maintaining cleanliness and records. The position requires flexibility for weekend and holiday work and on-call availability when emergencies arise.

Training will be provided on the job, with emphasis on animal welfare and safety. Candidates should be prepared for physically demanding tasks, teamwork, and adherence to

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience with livestock handling is helpful.
• Ability to perform hard physical labor.
• Strong teamwork and communication.
• Willingness to shower daily on/off site.
• Ability to work long hours including weekends/holidays.
• On-call for emergencies.
• Able to work with animals in dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Feed, water, vaccinate, and perform general animal husbandry tasks.
• Move animals and maintain efficient animal flows.
• Sanitize farm areas with high pressure equipment.
• Process piglets: injections, castration, docking tails, ear notching.
• Maintain production information and update department records.
• Follow SOPs and production manuals as required.
• Assist with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Maintain barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.

Skills

Hard physical labor

Teamwork

Follow instructions

On-call readiness

Adaptability

Safety compliance

Animal care knowledge

Education

High School diploma or GED preferred

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding 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.

Your Opportunity

Compensation START PAY - $16.75 +++ INCENTIVES!!!!

ON THE JOB PAID TRAINING - CAREER ADVANCEMENTS - FULL TIME DEPENDABLE WORK!!!

The Herdsperson assists other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare/well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement.

Employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, bus, and other farm equipment as directed. May be in training for advanced Herd Technician designation.

The Herdsperson position will also provide for the care of all animals at the designated work site, particularly their health, growth, and breeding.

Core Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
• Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
• Processes piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
• Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.
• Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
• Follows the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
• Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
• Follows the Company’s animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal’s needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.

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.

Qualifications

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.

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handing helpful.
• Ability to do hard physical labor.
• Strong commitment to teamwork.
• Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
• Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).
• Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

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EEO Information

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.