Role Overview
Smithfield Foods is hiring a mid-level Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE. This is a full-time role in North Carolina. Full responsibilities, required qualifications, and the apply link are listed in the description below.
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Job Description
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!
Your Opportunity
START PAY $16.00 hour. (IMMEDIATE OPENINGS) FARM HOURS EARLY DAYS SHIFT! PAID ON THE JOB TRAINING/ADVANCED CAREER OPPORTUNITIES! (Dependable Steady Work!)
The Herdsperson assists other Herd Technicians in routine animal care and general farm tasks to ensure the welfare/well-being of the animals. Tasks include farm sanitation, animal removal, and animal movement. Employee may operate mowers, tractors, trucks, bus, and other farm equipment as directed. May be in training for advanced Herd Technician designation. The Herdsperson position will also provide for the care of all animals at the designated work site, particularly their health, growth, and breeding.
Core Responsibilities
- Feeds, waters, vaccinates, and performs general animal husbandry tasks including basic veterinary procedures.
- Maintains flexibility with a willingness to change plans according to the direction of farm leadership.
- Assists in moving animals and maintaining efficient animal flows.
- Sanitizes and washes multiple areas on the farm using high pressure equipment.
- Processes piglets, which includes: Injecting medications, castrating, docking tails, and ear notching.
- Maintains accurate production information and update all department records as required.
- Treats sick animals with a variety of pharmaceuticals by injection, oral application, and/or other methods as required.
- Follows the Standard Operation Procedures, Production Manuals, or Appropriate Training Guides as required.
- Assists with facility and equipment maintenance.
- Assists with maintaining barn, office cleanliness, and laundry duties.
- Follows the Company’s animal welfare policies and procedures including: providing a physical environment that meets the animal’s needs, providing access to adequate water and high quality feed, providing humane treatment of the animals, providing identification and appropriate treatment of animals in need of health care and following the guidelines for euthanasia.
- Responsible for complying with all environmental, safety and biosecurity laws and procedures.
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.
Qualifications
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 GED preferred.
- Previous livestock handing helpful.
- Ability to do hard physical labor.
- Strong commitment to teamwork.
- Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility.
- Ability to follow instructions and deal with standardized situations.
- Must be able to work an average 48-hour work week, which can vary frequently.
- Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
- Must be on call for emergency situations to include but not limit to, power outages or personnel shortages.
- Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
- Must be able to work with and around a wide range of antibiotics (i.e. penicillin).
- Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE position at Smithfield Foods?
Use the Apply button above to submit your application directly to Smithfield Foods. Most applications take less than 5 minutes if your resume and contact details are ready, and you'll be routed to the employer's official application system to finish.
Where is the Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE position at Smithfield Foods located?
This position is based in North Carolina. Smithfield Foods has not indicated remote or hybrid options for this role, so candidates should plan for on-site work.
What does a Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE at Smithfield Foods earn?
Smithfield Foods has not disclosed a salary range in this posting. Many employers share specifics later in the interview process; you can also ask during a recruiter screen if compensation transparency is important to you.
When was the Herdsperson - SOW FARM TRAINEE role at Smithfield Foods posted?
This role was posted on May 8, 2026 (32 days ago). It's still listed as actively hiring; we re-confirm openings against the source system multiple times per day and remove closed roles.
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