Mechanic - 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Shift (Sign-On Bonus & Relocation!)

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus

Health Insurance

Education benefit

Relocation Assistance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. in Kentucky is hiring for an industrial maintenance position.

The role involves maintaining production lines and equipment, following GMP and safety practices, and assisting other teams as needed. We offer industry-leading wages ($26.10/hr - $33.90/hr with a $1.00/hr second/third shift differential), a $2,500 sign‑on bonus, comprehensive health insurance, retirement benefits, and more.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ years of related maintenance experience or 4 years of direct industrial maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily preventive maintenance on production lines.
• Ensure production lines are in good mechanical order and inspected/tested.
• Assist other teams (Production, Quality) as needed.
• Follow GMP and Safety practices and ISO 14001 procedures.
• Dismantle defective machines and replace parts as needed.
• Clean and lubricate shafts, bearings, gears and other moving parts.

Skills

Industrial maintenance

Forklift operation

Teamwork

Reading and interpreting work orders

Troubleshooting equipment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational/Technical diploma or associate degree

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.

Our team members receive industry‑leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:

• Hourly Maintenance $26.10/hr - $33.90/hr $1.00/hr 2nd & 3rd Shift Differential
• Sign‑On Bonus - $2,500
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• Education benefit available to full and part‑time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Relocation Assistance packages
• Career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance

Core Responsibilities

• Ensure all assigned daily PM’s are completed.
• Ensure production lines are in good mechanical order.
• Aid other teams (Production, Quality- when needed).
• Always follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) and Safety Practices.
• Setup and visually inspect and tests machinery and equipment.
• Listens for unusual sounds from machines or equipment to detect malfunction and discusses machine operation variations with supervisors or other personnel to diagnose problem or repair machine.
• Dismantles defective machines and equipment and installs new or repaired parts.
• Cleans and lubricates shafts, bearings gears, and other parts of machinery.
• Repairs and maintains physical structure of establishment.
• Follow all ISO 14001 procedures.
• Other duties as needed.

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

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• 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.

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

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

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

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.

Occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds utilizing the buddy system or specifically designed lifting devices.

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.

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.

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.