Production Hourly

JBS USA; Waco (TX); On-site; USD 2,268,000 - 2,681,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilgrim’s is seeking production hourly team members to process poultry products in a fast-paced plant environment. You’ll cut, trim, package, inspect, and sort while safely operating equipment and upholding sanitation and animal welfare standards.

Role requires high school diploma or GED, ability to stand 8–11 hours, lift 50 pounds, and work flexible shifts in a cold environment. Benefits and career growth opportunities available.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma/GED.
• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience preferred.
• Qualifications: Able to work in a fast-paced production environment; follow verbal and written instructions; work well in a team; maintain regular attendance.
• Skills: Detail-oriented, multitask, communicate effectively, follow simple instructions, sound judgment.
• Physical: Stand 8–11 hours, lift 50 pounds+, wear PPE, work in cool temps, overtime and varying shifts.
• Work environment: Poultry processing and food-manufacturing setting with exposure to cold temps, moisture, moving machinery, noise, and chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Process poultry products including cutting, trimming, packaging, inspecting, sorting, and other tasks per USDA and Pilgrim’s standards.
• Safely operate production equipment and report malfunctions or safety concerns.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in compliance with sanitation and animal welfare guidelines.
• Follow all safety policies and contribute to production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Support teammates and maintain a positive, collaborative work environment.
• Participate in continuous improvement and adapt to changing production needs.

Skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Verbal communication

Instruction comprehension

Judgment & common sense

Adaptability

Team proximity

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Description

Position at Pilgrim’s

Production Hourly

At Pilgrim’s, Safety Is A Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first – always.

Join our production team and play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality poultry products to customers. In this hands‑on position, you’ll process poultry products in accordance with USDA regulations, Pilgrim’s quality standards, food safety requirements, and animal welfare guidelines. You’ll perform tasks such as cutting, trimming, packaging, inspecting, sorting, and handling products; safely operate production equipment; maintain a clean work area; and support production, quality, and safety goals. This is a fast‑paced environment where attention to detail, dependable attendance, flexibility, and teamwork are key.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Process poultry products through cutting, trimming, packaging, inspecting, sorting, and other product‑handling tasks in accordance with USDA and Pilgrim’s standards.
• Safely and efficiently operate production equipment, monitor performance, and promptly report malfunctions or safety concerns.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in compliance with sanitation, food safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare requirements.
• Follow all company safety policies and procedures while contributing to established production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Support team members by sharing knowledge and helping maintain a positive, team‑oriented work environment.
• Participate in continuous improvement and problem‑solving efforts, while remaining flexible to work in various production areas based on business needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

• Education: High School Diploma/GED.

• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience preferred.

• Qualifications: Ability to work in a fast‑paced production environment; follow verbal and written instructions; work effectively as part of a team; and maintain regular and reliable attendance.

• Skills: Strong attention to detail; ability to multitask and work efficiently; effective verbal communication; ability to comprehend and apply simple instructions; sound judgment and common sense in routine work situations; adaptability to changing production needs; and willingness to work in close proximity to coworkers.

• Physical requirements: Ability to stand for 8-11 hours per shift; perform repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements; bend, reach, push, pull, and lift 50 pounds or more; work in cool temperatures averaging approximately 40°F; wear required personal protective equipment (PPE); and work overtime, weekends, and varying shifts as needed.

• Work environment: Work is performed in a poultry processing and food‑manufacturing environment. Team members may be exposed to cold temperatures, moisture, moving machinery, production equipment, noise, and sanitation chemicals. The position requires compliance with all company safety, food safety, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards while working in close proximity to other team members.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s?

• Schedule: Typically Monday-Friday with some weekend work required;
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off: Vacation and company observed holidays;
• 401(k): Company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base hourly salary: $16.46 with a $1.00 shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift;
• Perfect attendance incentive: $2.00 extra per hour for perfect attendance;
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs;
• Better Futures

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

About us: Pilgrim’s is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim’s operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe.

Our Vision: To become the best and most respected company in our industry creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members.

Our core values are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: Pilgrim’s does not accept unsolicited assistance from any recruitment vendors for any of our open jobs. All resumes or candidate profiles submitted by recruitment vendors or headhunters to any employee at Pilgrim’s or via the applicant tracking system, in any form without a valid written request and search agreement previously approved by HR, will be solely owned by Pilgrim’s. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by Pilgrim’s because of an unsolicited referral.