Machine Operators

1st and 3rd Shifts

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

Join our team and play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality poultry products to customers. In this hands-on position, you’ll work on the processing line performing tasks such as cutting, trimming, packaging, and/or inspecting products to meet strict food safety and quality standards. You’ll operate equipment, maintain a clean work area, and follow all safety and biosecurity guidelines. This is a fast-paced environment where attention to detail and teamwork are key. If you’re dependable, willing to learn, and ready to grow with a company committed to excellence, this is your opportunity to make an impact!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• The person in this position is responsible for ensuring the overall performance of machinery by performing basic maintenance, troubleshooting, inspection and repair.
• Process poultry products using tools, manual labor, and equipment according to USDA and Pilgrim’s standards.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.
• Ensure machine is clean and put back together properly. This includes ensuring the heads are clean, machine is clear of any trim, guards are in place and plastic is removed.
• At the beginning and throughout the shift, inspect and clean the sealing plates making sure there is no meat around the edges.
• At the beginning and throughout of the shift, you will need to retrieve film from the warehouse and install/change out the top and bottom film on the machine
• With the Saddlepack Machine Wiper TM, verify settings are correct (Julian Date, Plant Number & Calendar Date) & run a couple of cycles to ensure the machine is running properly.
• Perform machine adjustments throughout the shift to keep machine running efficiently.
• At the end of the shift, make sure all equipment is covered for Sanitation and transport unsused film back to the Warehouse.
• On Weekends, Mechanics are responsible for performing various Preventive Maintenance on equipment as well as work on various projects/rebuilds that could not be completed during the week.
• Monitor equipment operation and report malfunctions or safety concerns promptly.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and follow all safety, food safety, and animal welfare guidelines.
• Support team members by sharing skills and knowledge while promoting a positive work atmosphere.
• Participate in continuous improvement and problem-solving initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet production and quality goals.
• Demonstrate flexibility by performing tasks in different areas of production as needed.
• Report any malfunction to maintenance for repair.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

• Education: High School Diploma/GED preferred.
• Experience: Poultry or food industry experience is a plus.
• Skills: Ability to multitask and work quickly, have good communication skills, ability to comprehend simple instructions and apply common sense, and must be a team player and be willing to work close to other employees at some stations. (Less than 3 feet apart.)
• Physical requirements: Ability to work in cool temperatures (around 40 degrees), ability to stand and use hands for 8-11 hours per day and lift 50 lbs or more.

Why Work for Pilgrim’s?

• Schedule: Monday-Friday with some weekend work required;
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company observed holidays or, any other statutorily required paid leave;
• 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base hourly salary rate of $20.25 with a $2.00 shift differential for 3rd shift;
• 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 mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members.

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

EOE, including disability/vets

Unsolicited Assistance: JBS and its companies do 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 JBS and its companies 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 JBS and its companies. No fees will be paid should the candidate be hired by JBS and its companies because of an unsolicited referral.