Herdsperson Trainee/Laborer

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package

Be Well program

Training & development

Scholarship Program

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is hiring a Herdsperson at our Kentucky farm to support Herd Technicians, ensure welfare of animals, and assist with routine care.

You will operate on-site equipment, help with animal movement, and maintain accurate production records while following SOPs and safety guidelines. Weekend/evening work and on-call duties may be required to keep operations running smoothly.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous livestock handling 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 handle standardized situations.
• Able to work an average 48-hour week; includes weekends/evenings/holidays.
• On-call for emergencies and able to work with others in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks.
• Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
• Sanitizes and washes farm areas with high-pressure equipment.
• Maintains production records and animal health care tasks as required.
• Follows SOPs, production manuals, and training guides.

Skills

Hard physical labor

Teamwork

Following instructions

Work under schedule

On-call flexibility

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

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 Hourly Rate: $18.25

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.
• Collect boars, process collection in on-site laboratory, and distribute semen doses to sow farms.
• Maintains accurate production information and updates 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.

Qualifications

• 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. 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.

Relocation Package

Relocation Package Available

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.

Benefits & Perks

• Robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• Unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Company Overview

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.