Material Handler - 1st Shift

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education benefit

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Smithfield Packaging is seeking a Material Handler to build pallets, receive and put away product, and replenish stock within a cold warehouse environment. You will use RF scanners and pallet jacks, ensuring accurate picks and safe handling of goods.

Responsibilities include loading pallets, following pick tickets, and maintaining cleanliness and food safety standards. Prior forklift experience and certification during training are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3 months of forklift/heavy lift driving experience accepted in lieu of diploma.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• Must obtain powered industrial truck certifications during training.
• Experience in warehouse or with heavy lifting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate warehouse material handling equipment.
• Use RF units and pick tickets for receiving and stacking.
• Build stable pallet loads for shipment and ensure accuracy.
• Read product descriptions, packaging and pick ticket messages.
• Maintain housekeeping and food safety practices.
• Inform supervisor of any quantity or description discrepancies.
• Wrap pallets securely and perform routine shift housekeeping.

Skills

English literacy

Teamwork

Safety-minded

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift operation

Pallet jack

RF scanner

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Job description

Your Opportunity

Our team members receive industry‑leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages: Hourly Competitive Starting Pay – $20.55/hour Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.

Education benefit available to full and part‑time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements.

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

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Material Handler will use material handling equipment and the warehouse management system to build pallets of product for shipment, receive product into the warehouse, put away product in the fill locations and replenish product into slots.

Core Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently utilize warehouse material handling equipment.
• Utilize RF units and pick tickets, and receiving documentation.
• Build stable, well‑built and accurate pallet loads for shipment.
• Ensure item pick accuracy and safety of product to prevent damage.
• Understand pallet layers, heights, and counting methods used when working with pallets of product.
• Read and understand product descriptions, packaging and pick ticket messages.
• Consistently meet established company production and service level standards.
• Utilize good housekeeping processes.
• Utilize effective food safety measures.
• Utilize warehouse processes to minimize damage and other areas of waste.
• Inform supervisor of any differences in case quantity and/or product description.
• Wrap the pallet by circling load with roll of plastic wrap until secure.
• Housekeeping during and at the end of shifts.

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

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
• A minimum of 3 full months of documented experience as a certified fork lift/heavy lift driver will be accepted in lieu of a High School Diploma or GED.
• This position requires the ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• English is needed to carry out the following tasks: (1) read and understand procedure manuals, signs and box labels; (2) work with warehouse computer systems; (3) complete written documents relating to company procedures; and (4) communicate clearly with co-workers and supervisors about day‑to‑day operations.
• Previous experience in a warehouse or with heavy lifting preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds continually during shift.
• Ability to consistently meet minimum production standards and company service levels.
• Must obtain proper powered industrial truck certifications during initial training phase.
• Ability to understand and follow both written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to operate pallet jack and other required materials handling equipment (MHE).

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. The DC environment will include extreme cold and heat (non‑weather related), working near moving mechanical equipment such as forklifts/hi‑lifts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the loading areas. Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Frequently required to sit; stand; walk; reach with hands and arms.

Relocation Package Available

• No 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.

Company Culture

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.