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Meat Production Associate - Stock Yards

US Foods · Aurora, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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

Have you worked in meat processing, food production or a similar fast-paced job before? Tell me about it.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the pace, physical demands and cold environment of meat production work.

Tell me about a time you had to follow very specific instructions exactly.

What they are checking: Attention to detail, since chefs order specific cuts and portion sizes that must be met every time.

How do you handle working in a cold environment for long periods?

What they are checking: Realistic expectations about the physical conditions of a meat processing plant.

Tell me about a time you helped a coworker who was falling behind.

What they are checking: Teamwork on a production line where everyone depends on the person before and after them.

What would you do

You notice a piece of meat that does not look right during inspection. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and flag product problems instead of letting them pass to keep the line moving.

The line is running behind and your lead asks everyone to speed up. How do you keep quality while moving faster?

What they are checking: Balance between production demands and customer specifications, which the posting stresses.

Shifts run from 6 am to 6 pm with overtime and Saturdays as needed. How does that schedule work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle long shifts and extra days reliably before they start.

About the work

What does following GMP, Good Manufacturing Practices, mean in your daily work?

What they are checking: Basic food safety habits like hygiene, protective gear and preventing contamination.

How do you stay safe when working with knives or cutting equipment all day?

What they are checking: Respect for safety procedures and protective equipment in a job with real injury risk.

Why is it important to keep your work area clean during a shift, not just at the end?

What they are checking: Understanding that ongoing sanitation is part of USDA food safety rules, not optional cleanup.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at US 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 US Foods.

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITE Join Our Community of Food People! THE STOCK YARDS STORY We’ve been providing chefs with expertly cut and portioned beef and pork for over 120 years, based on rigid meat-selection criteria, precise beef aging and expert trimming. Whatever your need, from white-linen presentation to casual family dining, our procurement experts will find the best-quality options that work for your budget and pack-size needs, carefully selected from our extensive meat assortment. Prepare and pack meat products to achieve production demands. Must adhere to USDA Safety and Sanitation Regulations and customer specifications. Location is at Chicago Stock Yards in Aurora, IL 1st shift Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:00 am - 6:00 pm OT and Saturdays as needed. Hablamos Español! ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Work in a fast-paced environment preparing meat products to feed lines and/or prepare for the next stage of processing • Effectively utilize tools, processes, and materials to process and package meat products within planned schedules • Follow all Food Safety requirements and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) • Perform visual inspection of meat products to meet certain specifications • Meet company standards and customer specifications • Assist in cleanliness of general work area QUALIFICATIONS Must be able to work continually in a refrigerated environment 35°F- 45°F. Must be able to work for periods of time in a freezer environment -10°F to +10°F with company provided apparel. May require overtime with or without notice. Finish time is when work is completed. Education/Training: High School graduate or GED preferred with basic reading, writing and math skills. Related Experience/Requirements: Production, warehouse, food processing, manufacturing, food production or food service warehouse environments preferred. Able to work overtime as needed. Complete miscellaneous and other duties as assigned. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Perform various roles including activities such as product receiving and selection, packaging, sorting, re-boxing, marination, further processing and facility sanitation while adhering to company manufacturing requirements and safety regulations. Work Environment Work continually in refrigerated environment 35F- 45Fdegrees Must be able to work for periods of time in freezer 10F to - 10F degrees Physical Requirements Must be able to perform the following physical activities for described length of time: OCCASIONALLY: 1% - 33% FREQUENTLY: 34% - 66% CONTINUOUSLY: 67% - 100% Never: 0% JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO: SIT: Occasionally STAND: Continuously WALK: Occasionally DRIVE: Continuously JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO LIFT: 1-10lbs: Occasionally 10-20lbs: Frequently 25-50lbs: Frequently 50-100lbs: Frequently Over 100lbs: Never JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO CARRY: 1-10 lbs.: Occasionally 10-20 lbs.: Occasionally 25-50 lbs.: Occasionally 50-100 lbs.: Occasionally Over 100 lbs.: Never JOB REQUIRES WORKER TO: Push/pull: Frequently Step/Climb/balance: Frequently Stoop/squat: Frequently Kneel: Frequently Bend: Frequently Reach above shoulder: Occasionally Grasp objects: Continuously Manipulate objects: Frequently Reach/Turn: Frequently Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state minimum wage thresholds) . The expected base rate for this role is between $19.00 and $20.75 hr. As applicable, this role may also receive overtime compensation.​​ Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance ***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/ Age/Genetic Information /Protected Veteran/Disability Status***

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