Jobs › Smithfield Foods

Grinder/High Lift - 2nd Shift

Smithfield Foods · St Charles, IL · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This job involves running a grinder and operating a high lift. What experience do you have with either one?

What they are checking: Whether they have experience with powered equipment and food grinding.

Tell me about a time you had to follow a strict procedure step by step.

What they are checking: Whether they can follow rules exactly, which matters when running risky equipment.

How do you keep your area clean while running equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they see cleanliness as part of food safety and their own job.

What would you do

You hear an unusual noise coming from the grinder. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they would stop and report the problem instead of running until it breaks.

Second shift runs into the evening. Is there anything that would make it hard for you to be here?

What they are checking: Whether they can be reliable on this schedule.

About the work

How do you safely operate a high lift around other people on the floor?

What they are checking: Whether they understand powered equipment safety, which prevents serious injuries.

What checks would you do on a grinder before you start it?

What they are checking: Whether they inspect equipment before use, which prevents breakdowns and contamination.

Why is it important to keep meat at the right temperature during grinding?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that temperature affects food safety and product quality.

How do you keep from getting hurt around grinding equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they respect guards and never reach into the machine while it runs.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Smithfield Foods from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Smithfield Foods.

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. 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. Apply Now! 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 certifications 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. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

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