Maintenance Refrigeration - 1st Shift

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Sioux Center (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education benefit

Relocation assistance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Maintenance Technician at our Sioux Center, IA facility. You will troubleshoot, repair, and maintain food processing and packaging equipment to ensure safe, efficient operations.

Responsibilities include preventative maintenance, component replacement, and systems upgrades, with emphasis on GMP, safety and documentation. The role requires experience in mechanical maintenance, ability to read manuals/schematics, and lifting equipment operation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; 1+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing preferred.
• Technical diploma or associate degree in maintenance is a plus.
• Ability to read manuals, schematics, and maintenance docs.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair food processing equipment, including stuffers, grinders, mixers, pumps, conveyors, ovens and Multivac systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance: lubrication, belt/chain changes, filter changes, inspections.
• Install/replace mechanical components (belts, chains, gears, bearings, valves, filters).
• Rebuild/repair valves, pumps, gearboxes and other assemblies.
• Diagnose and fix pneumatic/hydraulic/mechanical failures; address safety and guarding issues.
• Document maintenance activities and complete work orders; ensure safe operations.

Skills

Industrial maintenance

Mechanical troubleshooting

Welding fabrication

Forklift operation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical diploma / associate degree

Tools

Forklift operation

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.

Benefits

• Competitive Starting Pay - $28.75-$39.75/hr
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Open to moving? We will help! Ask about our Relocation Assistance packages!

In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance.

The Maintenance Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining food processing and packaging equipment to support safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations. This role performs mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical maintenance on production equipment and supports plant utility systems including refrigeration and steam as assigned.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Troubleshoot and repair food processing equipment including stuffers, grinders, mixers, vacuum pumps, packaging equipment, conveyors, ovens, and multivac systems.
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks including lubrication, chain and belt replacement, filter changes, and equipment inspection.
• Install and replace mechanical components including belts, chains, valves, gears, bearings, and filters.
• Rebuild and repair valves, pumps, gearboxes, and other mechanical assemblies.
• Diagnose and repair pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical equipment failures.
• Perform repairs related to machine guarding, mechanical wear, plumbing, and equipment breakdowns.
• Weld and fabricate machine components as needed to support equipment repairs.
• Install and set up equipment including alignment and leveling of machinery.
• Connect and maintain equipment utilities including air, water, and gas connections.

Refrigeration & Utility System Support

• Assist with monitoring and basic maintenance of ammonia refrigeration systems.
• Maintain working knowledge of steam and boiler systems supporting plant operations.
• Support troubleshooting of refrigeration or utility-related equipment issues when assigned.
• Assist with inspections and preventative maintenance activities related to plant utility systems.

Preventative Maintenance & Compliance

• Complete assigned preventative maintenance tasks and equipment inspections according to maintenance schedules.
• Document maintenance activities and accurately complete work orders and repair records.
• Maintain equipment in safe working condition and compliant with safety standards.
• Follow all Safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).
• Comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and all applicable food safety standards.
• Follow all environmental and regulatory procedures including ISO 14001 requirements.
• Communicate equipment issues or repair needs to maintenance leadership.

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

• 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’s degree from technical maintenance or vocational school, a plus.
• 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.
• Can understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and interpret the following; equipment manuals, schematics, and maintenance documentation.
• Ability to complete maintenance reports and work orders accurately.
• Ability to receive and relate direction/information using various communication devices.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics 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 of this job. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. 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.

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 veteran 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.

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. 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.