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On-The-Job Trainer

Smithfield Foods · Cudahy, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 8, 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

Tell me about a time you trained someone who learned differently than you. How did you adjust?

What they are checking: Whether they can change their teaching style for different people, including those who learn by doing.

Tell me about a time you helped someone who was ready to quit stick with a job.

What they are checking: Whether they understand that good training and support keep new employees from leaving early.

What would you do

A new hire keeps holding their knife the wrong way even after you've shown them twice. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay patient and try a new approach instead of giving up or getting frustrated.

How do you tell the difference between someone who just needs more practice and someone who isn't safe to be on the line yet?

What they are checking: Whether they can make the hard call to hold someone back when safety is at risk.

Many new hires may speak a different first language than you. How do you train across that gap?

What they are checking: Whether they use demonstration and checks for understanding instead of relying only on talking.

A supervisor wants your trainee on the line at full speed sooner than you think they're ready. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can push back respectfully with facts when production pressure risks a new hire's safety.

About the work

Walk me through how you would teach a brand new employee to use a knife safely on their first day.

What they are checking: Whether they can break down a dangerous skill into clear steps a nervous new hire can follow.

How do you keep a knife sharp and how would you teach someone else to sharpen and steel it?

What they are checking: Whether they truly know the knife skills they will be teaching, since dull knives cause injuries and strain.

What early signs of strain or repetitive motion injury do you watch for when coaching people on the line?

What they are checking: Whether they help prevent injuries by spotting bad technique and soreness before it gets worse.

How do you keep track of each trainee's progress so you know what they still need?

What they are checking: Whether they document training in an organized way so nobody falls through the cracks.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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! THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING: The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As an On-the-Job Trainer, you’ll be a cornerstone of our 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. Your focus will be on helping employees build competence and confidence in producing quality work. You’ll also serve as a valuable resource for employees transitioning into new roles through the job-bidding process. By providing structured, hands-on training, reinforcing established work instructions and standard operating procedures you’ll help employees build the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to succeed in their new positions. Your support will be essential to their growth and success. 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. WHAT YOU’LL DO: The below 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. • Employee Training & Skill Development: In this role, you will train new-hire and job-bid employees on essential job skills, safety practices, and job-specific techniques, including knife handling and sharpening. You’ll spend time on the production floor observing employees, providing real-time coaching, and retraining when skills or behaviors don’t meet expectations. • Documentation, Reporting & Compliance: Documentation, Reporting & Compliance: You’ll be responsible for documenting training attendance, completing daily observations and maintaining accurate training records. You will review employee progress reports completed by supervisors to ensure accuracy and timeliness and partner with supervisors to facilitate performance discussions and identify opportunities for additional training and support. You will also assist with job-bid qualification reviews and help identify trends related to training effectiveness, job tasks and employee performance to support continuous improvement efforts. • Communication & Collaboration: As part of your daily work, you will collaborate with area supervisors to communicate training needs and performance concerns. You’ll participate in M-IQ tier meetings, use Leader Standard Work (LSW) to plan and prioritize tasks, and support onboarding by leading plant tours and training employees on proper PPE use. WHAT WE’RE SEEKING: 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. • 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. OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT: • 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 physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • 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. IndSPR-Ops 

Relocation Package Available

No

 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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