Production Associate III - 1st Shift Facility Forklift Support

Smithfield Foods; Junction City (KS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Education assistance

Tuition assistance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Junction City, KS is hiring a Facility Forklift Support to operate forklifts, service lead-acid batteries, and maintain safe, efficient warehouse operations. You will follow SOPs, document activities, and uphold GMP and PPE standards.

This role requires lifting up to 50 pounds regularly, 100 pounds occasionally, and long shifts in a cold environment. Benefits include health insurance and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• Experience operating forklifts and warehouse equipment.
• Skilled with servicing lead-acid batteries per SOP.
• Capable of documenting maintenance activities clearly.
• Understanding of GMP, safety compliance, and PPE requirements.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and warehouse equipment as needed
• Service and maintain lead-acid batteries per SOP (watering, charging, cleaning, and inspection)
• Monitor battery condition and report safety or performance concerns
• Clean and maintain forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and related equipment
• Perform routine inspections on all material handling equipment
• Conduct minor repairs, including replacing load wheels on pallet jacks
• Perform wheel maintenance and replacement on pump jacks, carts, and other equipment with wheels
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical issues and elevate complex repairs as needed
• Maintain an organized and safe battery charging and maintenance area
• Follow all OSHA safety standards, company policies, and PPE requirements
• Accurately document maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs
• Daily monitoring of GMP, good housekeeping, employee safety, food safety, employee issues and training opportunities.

Skills

Forklift operation

Battery maintenance

Safety awareness

Documentation

Preventive maintenance

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.

Your Opportunity

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

• Competitive Starting Pay - $22.30/hr
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• 7:00am-3:30pm (Sunday-Thursday)

In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance.

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

The Facility Forklift Support offers safe and efficient warehouse operations by maintaining forklifts and pallet jacks, servicing lead-acid batteries in accordance with standard operating procedures, and performing minor and miscellaneous equipment repairs. This role is critical in ensuring equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

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.

• Safely operate forklifts and warehouse equipment as needed
• Service and maintain lead-acid batteries per company SOP (watering, charging, cleaning, and inspection)
• Monitor battery condition and report safety or performance concerns
• Clean and maintain forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and related equipment
• Perform routine inspections on all material handling equipment
• Conduct minor repairs, including replacing load wheels on pallet jacks
• Perform wheel maintenance and replacement on pump jacks, carts, and other equipment with wheels
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical issues and elevate complex repairs as needed
• Maintain an organized and safe battery charging and maintenance area
• Follow all OSHA safety standards, company policies, and PPE requirements
• Accurately document maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs
• Daily monitoring of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), good housekeeping, employee safety, food safety, employee issues and training opportunities. When a deficiency is recognized, take the appropriate actions to address the situation

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
• Regularly required to use hands to fingers handle, grasp, or feel; substantial movements and motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; reaching and pulling with hands and arms.
• Able to climb on and off of forklift continuously throughout 9-12 hour day.
• Able to sit for long periods in cold environments.
• The operator could experience vibrations from the use of the forklift.
• Walking is required.
• The employee must frequently lift up to 50 pounds to include lifting above the shoulders; exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally. Frequent pushing of 25 pounds or more, and occasionally, pushing up to 100 pounds of force is required.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to pass requirements on the Powered Industrial Truck Testing Summary.
• 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

Relocation Package AvailableNo

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.