Material Handler - 1st Shift

Smithfield Distribution, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 30,307 - 33,062; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Education benefit

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is hiring for Material Handlers/Powered Equipment Operators to support production, loading, unloading, and material movement across the facility. You will operate forklifts and related equipment, maintain safety and quality standards, and collaborate with team members to keep lines running smoothly.

We offer competitive hourly pay and benefits, with opportunities for training and career growth in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Forklift operation or certification preferred.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to stand for long shifts and perform physically demanding tasks.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts and other powered equipment to move product.
• Support a safe and efficient production line.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work area.
• Follow safety procedures and PPE requirements.
• May require overtime based on production demands.

Skills

Forklift operation

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Physical stamina

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.

Have a seat at our table.

Your Opportunity

Hourly Competitive Starting Pay - $22.28/hour $1.00/hour shift differential for 2nd shift positions

• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• Education benefit available to full‑time and part‑time Smithfield teams members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• We offer opportunities for career growth and professional development

The Value You’ll Bring

As a Material Handlers/Powered Equipment Operator team member at Smithfield Foods, you’ll play a key role in delivering safe, high‑quality food by performing essential production tasks and supporting your coworkers. Your reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic will help us meet our standards for safety, quality, and teamwork every day. You’ll contribute to a positive work environment, help maintain a safe and efficient production line, and ensure our products reach families across America. Your dedication and willingness to learn will make a real difference—both to your team and to our mission of delivering good food, responsibly.

What You’ll Do

Material Handlers/Powered Equipment Operators will work with forklifts, jack lifts, high lifts, powered industrial trucks to support movement of product throughout the facility. These positions require meeting specific certifications during the qualification period. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand‑eye coordination, and attention to detail. Powered Equipment Operators must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands.

Applicants must be willing and able to:

• Understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms
• Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12‑hour shift
• Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts
• Work in cold areas (approximately 20-40 degrees) and/or warm areas (over 100 degrees)
• Work in an environment that is wet and humid
• Work while wearing a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel‑toed safety shoes
• Work in a noisy environment using personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Work with sanitation/cleaning chemicals
• Work around strong smells/odors
• Climb/move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways and platforms
• Bend, stoop, and twist repetitively over the course of an entire shift
• Walk long distances
• May require certification in order to operate various pieces of equipment required for the position
• May perform other duties as assigned

All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. This work is physically demanding and can require the use of some or all body parts and muscle groups. Some positions may require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects which can weigh up to 60 lbs, or lifting of objects using mechanical assistance. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs. 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. IndSPR-Ops Relocation Package Available

Equal‑Opportunity Statement

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 & Benefits

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 inSmithfield, 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.