Packaging Operator - 2nd Shift

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Education benefit

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Packaging Operator for the 2nd shift in St. Charles, IL. You will operate meat cutting and packaging machines, ensure product quality, and support a safe, efficient production line on a fast-paced team.

This role offers attractive pay with a $1.00/hour shift differential, comprehensive health insurance, and retirement benefits, plus opportunities for career growth within Smithfield’s values-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be able to stand for a 12-hour shift.
• Able to work in cold and wet environments and around meat products.
• Follow safety protocols and operate packaging machines.

Responsibilities

• Operate meat cutting/packaging machines and equipment.
• Maintain product quality and sanitation on the line.
• Adhere to safety rules and assist team members as required.

Skills

Machine operation

Quality awareness

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Tools

Computerized equipment

Job description

## Packaging Operator - 2nd ShiftApply: St Charles, IL: Full time: Posted Today: R-2026-14292**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!****Your Opportunity**Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:* Hourly Competitive Starting Pay – $21.50/hour* $1.00/hour shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift positions* Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.* Education benefit available to full-time and part-time Smithfield teams members upon meeting eligibility requirementsIn addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development. **The Value You’ll Bring**As a Machine 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**Machine Operators will work with meat cutting/packaging machines and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. These positions require technical knowledge of computerized equipment. Machine Operator positions are physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Machine Operators must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands.**Physical Demands & Work Environment***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.* All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 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 with a knife (if trained)* 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* 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.* 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. May perform other duties as assigned.*IndSPR-Ops