Jobs › Smithfield Foods

Inedibles Operator

Smithfield Foods · Monmouth, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Smithfield Foods

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

What machines have you run before, and how did you check them at the start of a shift?

What they are checking: Whether they have machine operator experience and good start-up habits.

How would you keep your area clean and organized?

What they are checking: Whether they take pride in housekeeping, which keeps the area safe and controlled.

Tell me about a time you noticed something wrong and spoke up.

What they are checking: Whether they would report problems instead of ignoring them.

How do you work with coworkers when things get busy?

What they are checking: Whether they cooperate and support teammates during the busiest parts of the shift.

What would you do

A machine in your area breaks down. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they would stop safely and call maintenance instead of trying a risky fix.

This area can be messy and smelly. How do you feel about working in it every day?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic expectations about the job conditions.

Is there anything that would make it hard for you to show up every scheduled day?

What they are checking: Whether they can be reliable, since the inedibles area must keep up with production.

About the work

Inedible products are handled separately from food products. Why do you think that matters?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that mixing inedible and edible products is a serious food safety and legal issue.

How do you stay safe around equipment like conveyors, grinders or augers?

What they are checking: Whether they respect guards and lockout rules around dangerous equipment.

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.

Practice this out loud

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! The Value You’ll Bring As a Machine 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 Machine Operators will work with meat cutting/packaging machines and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. These positions require technical knowledge of computerized equipment. Machine Operator positions are physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Machine 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 • Work with a knife (if trained) • 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. • 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.

Apply at Smithfield Foods