Production Associate III - 1st Shift Facility Forklift Support

When you join Smithfield, you become part of 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 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.

About the role

The Facility Forklift Support role ensures safe and efficient warehouse operations by maintaining forklifts and pallet jacks, servicing lead-acid batteries in accordance with standard operating procedures, and performing minor and miscellaneous equipment repairs. This role is critical in ensuring equipment reliability, reducing downtime, and maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate forklifts and warehouse equipment as needed
• Service and maintain lead-acid batteries per company SOP (watering, charging, cleaning, and inspection)
• Monitor battery condition and report safety or performance concerns
• Clean and maintain forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and related equipment
• Perform routine inspections on all material handling equipment
• Conduct minor repairs, including replacing load wheels on pallet jacks
• Perform wheel maintenance and replacement on pump jacks, carts, and other equipment with wheels
• Troubleshoot basic mechanical issues and escalate complex repairs as needed
• Maintain an organized and safe battery charging and maintenance area
• Follow all OSHA safety standards, company policies, and PPE requirements
• Accurately document maintenance activities, inspections, and repairs
• Daily monitoring of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), good housekeeping, employee safety, food safety, employee issues, and training opportunities
• When a deficiency is recognized, take the appropriate actions to address the situation
• May perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• Able to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, grasp, or feel; substantial movements and motion of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; reaching and pulling with hands and arms
• Able to climb on and off of forklift continuously throughout 9-12 hour day
• Able to sit for long periods in cold environments
• The operator could experience vibrations from the use of the forklift
• Walking is required
• Must frequently lift up to 50 pounds, including lifting above the shoulders; exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally
• Frequent pushing of 25 pounds or more, and occasionally, pushing up to 100 pounds of force is required
• Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Must be able to pass requirements on the Powered Industrial Truck Testing Summary
• Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs

Pay

Competitive starting pay of $22.30 per hour.

Schedule

7:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Sunday through Thursday.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Education benefit available to full and part-time team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development
• Tuition assistance