On-The-Job Trainer

The position offers the opportunity to become part of a company focused on sustainably feeding people around the world, with a culture grounded in gratitude, communication, respect, and accountability. Smithfield provides challenging and rewarding careers with strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation.

About the role

As an On-the-Job Trainer, you’ll be a cornerstone of the team’s success—setting new employees up to thrive from day one. You’ll take the lead in training and developing hourly team members, empowering them with essential technical skills like expert knife techniques, sharpening, and tool maintenance to ensure they work safely, efficiently, and confidently. Most of your time will be spent on the production floor, supporting employee development by reinforcing standard work, monitoring progress, and promoting best practices. You’ll also serve as a valuable resource for employees transitioning into new roles through the job-bidding process, helping them build competence and confidence in producing quality work.

Collaboration is key—you’ll partner with plant supervision and the Training Supervisor to meticulously document and track training progress. Your keen observation skills, clear communication, and patient coaching style will directly contribute to developing a skilled, confident workforce and driving employee retention.

Responsibilities

• Train new-hire and job-bid employees on essential job skills, safety practices, and job-specific techniques, including knife handling and sharpening.
• Spend time on the production floor observing employees, providing real-time coaching, and retraining when skills or behaviors don’t meet expectations.
• Document training attendance, complete daily observations, and maintain accurate training records.
• Review employee progress reports completed by supervisors to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Partner with supervisors to facilitate performance discussions and identify opportunities for additional training and support.
• Assist with job-bid qualification reviews and help identify trends related to training effectiveness, job tasks, and employee performance to support continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with area supervisors to communicate training needs and performance concerns.
• Participate in M-IQ tier meetings, use Leader Standard Work (LSW) to plan and prioritize tasks.
• Support onboarding by leading plant tours and training employees on proper PPE use.

Requirements

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 2+ years’ relevant experience, required.
• Experience in manufacturing operations, preferred.
• In lieu of a High School Diploma or GED, candidate must have 6 years of Smithfield manufacturing industry experience.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, demonstrating excellent written and oral communication skills to guide and support others.
• Bilingual ability is a plus for connecting with a diverse workforce.

Skills

• Work proactively and independently with a high level of personal accountability, demonstrating self-motivation and the ability to manage time, plan effectively, and execute tasks with minimal oversight.
• Leverage strong interpersonal and teamwork skills to foster respect, approachability, and collaboration, building trust and a positive, supportive work environment in fast-paced, dynamic settings.
• Exhibit strong problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, confidently coaching others through challenges and translating strategy into actionable results.
• Use technology proficiently, including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office Suite. Familiarity with SAP is preferred to support operational efficiency.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, analytical reasoning, and adaptability skills to prioritize tasks and thrive amid shifting priorities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk; use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, or crawl.