MACHINE OPERATOR

Pilgrim; Lenoir (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and holidays

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401(k) plan

Better Futures Program

Job summary

Pilgrim in Lenoir is seeking a Machine Operator for 1st shift with a starting pay of $18.65 per hour. The role involves precise adjustments and ensuring quality before reaching customers. Candidates need to have 2+ years of production and machine operating experience and must be able to work in cold environments.

Benefits include paid vacations, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED preferred.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma/GED preferred.
• 2+ years’ production industry experience.
• 2+ years’ machine operating experience.
• Basic understanding of production and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepare work area for operational activities.
• Monitor production lines and identify issues.
• Sort, weigh, wrap, and label products.
• Inspect and remove defective products.
• Modify and create program settings.

Skills

Machine operating

Basic troubleshooting skills

Ability to work in cold temperatures

Packaging and labeling

Education

High school diploma/GED

Tools

Knives

Saws

Job description

MACHINE OPERATOR 1ST SHIFT - Starting Pay $18.65/HR

Date Posted: 06/19/2026

Category: Hourly Production

JBS is seeking an hourly Machine Operator Team Member. The position starts at $18.65 per hour. Pay increases once competency is achieved on the machine.

We have various machines available: Bandsaw, Overwrap, Flow Wrap, and Bizerba.

Job Summary

Associate must have the ability to make precise adjustments, basic troubleshooting skills, and modify and or create programs based on equipment, product and customer needs. Additionally, these roles are the last quality checkpoint before the product reaches both the internal and external customer. The ability to understand and communicate information is essential. Must be able to perform all job functions safely in accordance with food safety, GMP’s and quality standards.

Benefits Include

• Paid vacation and holidays
• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan
• Better Futures Program

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare work area for pre- and post-operational activities.
• Load, unload, and transfer product to and from equipment and or conveyors.
• Monitor production lines, identify issues, supply and replenish packaging materials as necessary.
• Sort, weigh, wrap, label, verify or measure product to meet product specifications.
• Ensure product is properly placed in bag and properly placed in the machine to avoid seal issues.
• Inspect and remove defective products and/or packaging materials from the process.
• Arrive at your workstation prepared to perform tasks at a scheduled time, and stay until work is complete, or until supervisor and/or manager indicate work is done.
• Overtime may be necessary and is required when scheduled.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Set up, tear down of equipment, selection of pre-determined settings and use proper lifting, bending, and reaching techniques.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Identify any safety concerns and/or hazards and report them.
• Modify and create program settings to meet production standards.
• Provide machine adjustments and troubleshooting when required.
• Position requires completing and reading labels in English.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma/GED preferred.
• 2+ years’ production industry experience.
• 2+ years’ machine operating experience.
• Must be able to understand and comply with company, plant, and safety rules/policies.
• Basic understanding of production and procedures.
• Ability to use knives, saws, and a variety of machinery.
• Ability to use both arms and hands to lift, load, cut and package product.

The work environment may include cold temperatures (34 degrees). It may also require the use of sharp tools such as knives.