Refrigeration Technician

Smithfield Fresh Meats Corp; Tar Heel (NC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lump Sum payments

Relocation assistance

Lease Termination Assistance

Moving of goods and vehicles

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a skilled Industrial Maintenance Technician for its North Carolina operations. The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and timely repairs across equipment, with RETA certification preferred.

You will work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays as needed. The position offers competitive pay ($24.05–$32.30/hr) plus comprehensive benefits and relocation assistance for skilled trades roles.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and 1+ years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance environment.
• 4 years’ direct experience in industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance.
• Experience in RETA Certification and ammonia refrigeration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Have or be able to attain RETA certification
• Demonstrate strong safety leadership skills and follow safe work practices
• Work as part of a team to plan and conduct equipment repairs
• Conduct routine audits and equipment inspections
• Demonstrate troubleshooting abilities
• Maintain open and professional line of communication with operations
• Respond to unplanned/emergency work requests in a timely & effective manner
• Follow food safety and good manufacturing practices
• Be highly motivated and able to work independently

Skills

RETA certification

Safety leadership

Teamwork

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

4 years’ direct maintenance experience

Tools

Ammonia Refrigeration

Engine & Boiler systems

Electricity & motor controls

Controls & instrumentation PLC

Pneumatics & Hydraulics

Mechanical systems

Maintenance Planning

Site utilities

System analysis & troubleshooting

Pipefitting & welding

Machining

Metal fabrication

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.

Job Description

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

Hourly Maintenance

Competitive Starting Pay– $24.05 - $32.30/ hr

$0.50/hr shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift

Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More

Looking to move? We will help! Ask about our Relocation Assistance package for Skilled Trades roles!

Benefits

• Lump Sum payments
• Agents to help you sell/ buy
• Lease Termination Assistance
• Moving of goods and vehicles

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

Core Responsibilities

• Have or be able to attain RETA certification
• Demonstrate strong safety leadership skills and follow safe work practices
• Work as part of a team to plan and conduct equipment repairs
• Conduct routine audits and equipment inspections
• Demonstrate troubleshooting abilities
• Maintain open and professional line of communication with operations
• Respond to unplanned/emergency work requests in a timely & effective manner
• Follow food safety and good manufacturing practices
• Be highly motivated and able to work independently

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.

Qualifications

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 1+ years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing environment; or 4 years’ direct experience in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance environment.

Industrial maintenance experience should include comprehensive knowledge in three or more of the following areas:

• RETA Certification
• Ammonia Refrigeration
• Engine & Boiler systems
• Electricity & motor controls
• Controls & instrumentation PLC/software & hardware
• Pneumatics & Hydraulics
• Mechanical systems
• Predictive/Predictive maintenance
• Maintenance Planning
• Site utilities
• System analysis & troubleshooting
• Pipefitting & welding
• Machining
• Metal fabrication

Basic computer skills and the ability to work independently are also required for this position. Preference will be given to candidates with a certification or degree in mechanical, electrical or industrial maintenance and/or related college or technical level course work. This is a full time hourly position; all applicants should be willing to work all shifts (days/evenings/overnights), extended hours and weekends.

Relocation Package Available

Yes

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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.