Smokehouse Operator-2nd Shift

Hempler Foods Group; Ferndale (WA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

10 paid holidays

401K

Life Insurance

Wellness Plan

Employee Discount

Job summary

Hempler’s Foods Group in Ferndale, WA is seeking a Smokehouse Operator for 2nd shift. This hands-on role sets up and operates smokehouse equipment, monitors temperatures, and ensures safety and quality across meat products.

The ideal candidate has high school diploma and experience in meat processing; forklift experience and English proficiency are pluses. The position offers a 2:00pm-10:30pm schedule, competitive $21.00-$23.00 per hour plus $1 shift differential, and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a meat processing or manufacturing environment, especially with smokehouse or cooking equipment, is preferred.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and procedures, including HACCP, is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate smokehouse equipment according to production schedules and SOPs.
• Monitor temperature, humidity, and smoking density to ensure safe, optimal smoking conditions.
• Transfer loaded racks of cured products from coolers to smokehouse and load smokehouse
• Transfer smoked products from smokehouse to chill coolers.
• Adjust equipment settings based on product type to achieve desired color, flavor, and texture.
• Inspect meat products for quality and adherence to safety standards.
• Record smoking times, temperatures, and humidity levels for each batch.
• Troubleshoot smoking process to maintain quality and prevent spoilage.
• Regularly clean and sanitize smokehouse equipment and work areas.
• Perform routine maintenance checks and report issues to maintenance staff.
• Comply with HACCP and USDA standards and other safety regulations.

Skills

Smokehouse operation

Attention to detail

Fast-paced environment

Forklift experience

English proficiency

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Smokehouse equipment

Job description

POSITION: Smokehouse Operator- 2nd Shift

Hempler’s Foods Group – Join Our Growing Team!!

Smokehouse Operator – 2nd shift available
Ferndale, WA
Our quality products have a heritage dating back to the early 1800’s at the Hempler’s family sausage kitchen in Borken, Germany. Hans Hempler worked in the family sausage business in Germany as a youngster. He served as an apprentice sausage maker and learned first‑hand the family’s old secret recipes becoming a master sausage maker before moving to the United States. Hans came to the United States in 1928 and, in those early years, worked hard and saved his money. It is our mission, and passion, to produce and distribute the highest quality products, while operating with the highest integrity and standards for personalized service to our customers. We strive to achieve these results by purchasing high quality ingredients and by employing passionate people, training them well, and developing an extended “family” of employees dedicated to accomplishing our mission.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: We are seeking experienced production operators, as well as candidates with transferable skills! Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

SCHEDULE:
2nd Shift (2:00pm-10:30pm) Monday-Friday and as needed Saturdays based on company’s needs.

WAGE: $21.00 – $23.00 DOE, subject to all required taxes and withholdings, plus $1.00 per hour for shift differential.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set up and operate smokehouse equipment according to production schedules and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Monitor temperature, valves, humidity, and smoking density and other details times to ensure safe and optimal smoking conditions for various meat products.
• Transfer loaded racks of cured products from coolers to smokehouse and load smokehouse ensuring proper spacing and airflow for even smoking.
• Transfer loaded racks of smoked product from smokehouse to chill coolers.
• Adjust equipment settings based on the type of product being processed to achieve the desired color, flavor, and texture.
• Inspect meat products throughout the smoking process for quality, consistency, and adherence to food safety standards.
• Record data such as smoking times, temperatures, and humidity levels for each batch.
• Troubleshoot and make adjustments to the smoking process as needed to ensure quality and prevent spoilage.
• Regularly clean and sanitize smokehouse equipment and work areas to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
• Perform routine maintenance checks on smokehouse machinery and report any mechanical issues or malfunctions to maintenance staff.
• Comply with all food safety, health, and safety regulations, including HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and USDA standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in a meat processing or manufacturing environment, particularly with smokehouse or cooking equipment, is preferred. Familiarity with food safety regulations and procedures, including HACCP, is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Ability to operate and troubleshoot smokehouse equipment.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow precise instructions and timelines.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast‑paced, physically demanding environment.
• Forklift experience preferred
• Ability to write, read and speak English (preferred)
• Experience working in a customer-focused and fast‑paced environment.
• Problem Solving and Decision-Making skills
• Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to lift heavy items (up to 60 lbs) and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Comfortable working in cold or hot environments, as well as handling meat products.
• Ability to frequently reach with hands and arms; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude any other reasonably related duties as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

ABOUT HEMPLER: We offer a creative environment filled with other talented people. We are committed to rewarding our teammates for their hard work, enthusiasm, and professional excellence. Company perks include:

BENEFITS:

• Annual bonus
• 10 Paid holidays, generous paid time off.
• 401K
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Plan
• Employee Discount

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude any other reasonably related duties as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Hempler's is an equal opportunity employer (minorities/females/disabled/veterans). We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.