Production Associate 1st Shift

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Junction City, Northern (KS, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Shift differential

Education benefit

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is hiring a Production Associate for 1st shift in Junction City, KS. The role involves operating hand tools, knives and machinery to process meat products while maintaining safety, quality and teamwork on a long-standing production line.

The position offers hourly wages starting at $20.00/hour with a $1/hour shift differential for 2nd shift positions, plus comprehensive benefits and potential education support. Shift is 6:00am to 6:00pm, Mon-Fri and Saturdays.

Qualifications

• Physical stamina and ability to perform demanding tasks in a production environment.
• Willingness to work a fixed schedule including potential overtime.
• Age 18+ and ability to follow safety instructions.

Responsibilities

• Operate hand tools, knives and machinery to process meat products.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient production line.
• Work with coworkers to meet safety and quality standards.

Skills

Reliability

Attention to detail

Strong work ethic

Tools

Hand tools

Knives

Machinery

Job description

## Production Associate 1st ShiftApply: Junction City, KS: Full time: Posted Today: R-2026-14160**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 – **$20.00/hour*** ## **$1/hour shift differential for 2nd shift positions*** ## Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More* ## Education benefit available to full- and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements* ## 6:00am to 6:00pm (Pack) - Mon-Friday & Sats In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development. **The Value You’ll Bring**As a General Production 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**General Production employees will work with hand tools, knives, machinery and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Production team members 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**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.*