On-The-Job Trainer

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Cudahy, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. in Cudahy, WI is seeking an On-the-Job Trainer to develop and coach hourly team members on essential skills, safety practices, and knife-related techniques. You will spend most of your time on the production floor providing hands-on coaching and reinforcing standard work.

You will document progress, assist with job-bid transitions, and partner with supervision to ensure effective training. This role emphasizes collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required, plus 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Bilingual ability is a plus for engaging a diverse workforce.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel; familiarity with SAP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Train new-hire and job-bid employees on essential job skills, safety practices and technique.
• Document training attendance, daily observations and progress in training records.
• Collaborate with plant supervision and Training Supervisor to track progress and identify training opportunities.
• Lead plant tours and onboarding, including PPE training for new employees.
• Coach on the production floor to reinforce standard work and safety practices.

Skills

Communication

Coaching

Training & Dev

Bilingual (EN/ES)

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Job description

## On-The-Job TrainerApply: Onsite: Cudahy, WI: Full time: Posted 15 Days Ago: R-2026-9828**If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.**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. **Apply Now!****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 an On-the-Job Trainer, you’ll be a cornerstone of our team’s success—setting new employees up to thrive from day one. You’ll take the lead in training and developing hourly team members, empowering them with essential technical skills like expert knife techniques, sharpening, and tool maintenance to ensure they work safely, efficiently, and confidently.Most of your time will be spent on the production floor, supporting employee development by reinforcing standard work, monitoring progress and promoting best practices. Your focus will be on helping employees build competence and confidence in producing quality work.You’ll also serve as a valuable resource for employees transitioning into new roles through the job-bidding process. By providing structured, hands-on training, reinforcing established work instructions and standard operating procedures you’ll help employees build the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in their new positions. Your support will be essential to their growth and success.Collaboration is key—you’ll partner with plant supervision and the Training Supervisor to meticulously document and track training progress. Your keen observation skills, clear communication, and patient coaching style will directly contribute to developing a skilled, confident workforce and driving employee retention.**WHAT YOU’LL DO:***The below 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.** **Employee Training & Skill Development:** In this role, you will train new-hire and job-bid employees on essential job skills, safety practices, and job-specific techniques, including knife handling and sharpening. You’ll spend time on the production floor observing employees, providing real-time coaching, and retraining when skills or behaviors don’t meet expectations.* **Documentation, Reporting & Compliance:** Documentation, Reporting & Compliance: You’ll be responsible for documenting training attendance, completing daily observations and maintaining accurate training records. You will review employee progress reports completed by supervisors to ensure accuracy and timeliness and partner with supervisors to facilitate performance discussions and identify opportunities for additional training and support. You will also assist with job-bid qualification reviews and help identify trends related to training effectiveness, job tasks and employee performance to support continuous improvement efforts.* **Communication & Collaboration:** As part of your daily work, you will collaborate with area supervisors to communicate training needs and performance concerns. You’ll participate in M-IQ tier meetings, use Leader Standard Work (LSW) to plan and prioritize tasks, and support onboarding by leading plant tours and training employees on proper PPE use.**WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:***To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.** High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 2+ years’ relevant experience, required.* Experience in manufacturing operations, preferred.* In lieu of a High School Diploma or GED, candidate must have 6 years of Smithfield manufacturing industry experience.* Communicate clearly and confidently, demonstrating excellent written and oral communication skills to guide and support others.* Bilingual ability is a plus for connecting with a diverse workforce.**OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:*** Work proactively and independently with a high level of personal accountability, demonstrating self-motivation and the ability to manage time, plan effectively, and execute tasks with minimal oversight.* Leverage strong interpersonal and teamwork skills to foster respect, approachability, and collaboration, building trust and a positive, supportive work environment in fast-paced, dynamic settings.* Exhibit strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, confidently coaching others through challenges and translating strategy into actionable results.* Use technology proficiently, including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with SAP is preferred to support operational efficiency.* Demonstrate strong organizational, analytical reasoning, and adaptability skills to prioritize tasks and thrive amid shifting priorities.**PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:***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 60 pounds.* Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.* Frequently required to sit, stand, walk; use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, climb or crawl.IndSPR-Ops