Service/Forklift/Stuff Boxes - 1st Shift

Smithfield Foods; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Education benefits

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is hiring a Powered Equipment Operator to support safe, high‑quality production across our facility in Illinois. You will operate forklifts and related equipment, move product, and assist teammates to maintain efficiency and safety on the line.

The role requires attention to detail, reliability, and willingness to learn new certifications. Includes opportunities for growth, competitive wages, and benefits in a fast paced food production environment.

Qualifications

• Experience operating forklifts and other powered industrial trucks.
• Ability to meet certification requirements during qualification period.
• Physical capability for demanding production work.

Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts and related equipment to move product around the facility.
• Support a safe, efficient production line and assist coworkers as needed.

Skills

Forklift operation

Safety awareness

Attention to detail

Stamina

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:

• Hourly Competitive Starting Pay - $22.50/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 requirements
• In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth and professional development.

The Value You'll Bring

As a Powered Equipment 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

Powered Equipment Operators will work with forklifts, jack lifts, high lifts, powered industrial trucks to support movement of product throughout the facility. These positions require meeting specific certification s during the qualification period. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Powered Equipment 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
• Ability to work with a box cutter
• 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.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
• 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.

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.