Maintenance Mechanic - 1st Shift

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Saint James (MN); On-site; USD 39,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. in Minnesota is seeking a Maintenance Mechanic to ensure our plant runs safely and efficiently. You’ll apply expertise in general maintenance, hydraulic and electrical systems, and basic welding, whether working in a team or independently.

You’ll follow safety protocols such as LOCKOUT/TAGOUT and GMPs, perform preventive maintenance, and support production, quality, and facility teams to minimize downtime and maintain a clean, organized plant environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance or 4 years in food manufacturing maintenance.
• Vocational or technical diploma/associate degree preferred.
• Able to operate forklifts and other powered industrial trucks.
• Team oriented with ability to follow complex instructions.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily preventive maintenance and repairs to keep production lines running smoothly.
• Dismantle, repair, and reassemble machinery; replace faulty parts and test performance.
• Assist with plant maintenance tasks to ensure a clean, safe work environment.

Skills

Industrial maintenance experience

Reading work orders

Oral/written instructions

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical diploma/Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

Forklift

Genie lift

Scissor lift

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:

• Competitive Starting Pay - $28.00-38.60/hr
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More

Open to moving? We will help! Ask about our Relocation Assistance packages!

The Value You'll Bring:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As a Maintenance Mechanic, you’ll bring your expertise in General Maintenance, Hydraulic Systems, Electrical & Electronic Systems, and basic welding to keep our operations running smoothly. Whether you’re working as part of a team or tackling challenges independently, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our plant operates efficiently and safely.

Safety First! You'll follow all company safety protocols, including LOCKOUT/TAGOUT procedures, and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to maintain a safe, compliant, and high-performance environment. Your skills and attention to detail will directly contribute to the success of the team and the plant as a whole!

What You’ll Do:

• Equipment Maintenance & Repairs: Ensure all daily preventive maintenance (PM) tasks are completed on schedule to keep operations running smoothly. Maintain production lines in top mechanical condition to minimize downtime. Set up, inspect visually, and test machinery to ensure they are operating as expected. Listen for unusual sounds or malfunctions in machinery, work with supervisors to diagnose and resolve problems quickly. Dismantle malfunctioning machinery, replace or repair faulty parts, and restore them to full functionality. Clean, lubricate, and maintain key machinery components like bearings, gears, and shafts to prevent wear and tear.
• Teamwork & Support: Assist the production and quality teams as needed, offering support and expertise in troubleshooting or repairs. Take on additional duties as required to ensure the plant operates efficiently and without delays.
• Facility Care & Maintenance: Help repair and maintain the physical structure of the plant to keep it in good working order. Assist with overall plant maintenance tasks, ensuring a clean, safe, and organized environment for all operations.

What We’re Seeking:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1+ years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing environment; or 4 years’ direct experience in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance environment.
• Vocational Diploma, Technical Diploma or associate degree from a technical maintenance or vocational school. (Preferred).
• Possess the ability to function effectively in a team environment and interact productively with all levels of team personnel and outside contractors.
• Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and execute work order, write daily reports, and translate equipment manuals.

Relocation Package Available Yes

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.

Check out this video to learn more about this role!

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

Smithfield is proud to offer 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.

Our company invests in your future. We offer 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.

Our 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.

We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

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.

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.

For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.