Full-Time
General Production
Updated on 8/11/2026
Smithfield Foods
5,001-10,000 employees
Produces packaged meats and pork products
Compensation Overview
$19.35/hr
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship
Smithfield, VA, USA
In Person
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
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- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants must understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Applicants must perform continuous or repetitive movements, including grasping, pinching, and flexing and extending the arms.
- Applicants must stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12-hour shift.
- Applicants must be willing and able to work around animal blood and carcass parts.
- Applicants must be willing and able to work with a knife if trained.
- Applicants must be willing and able to work in cold areas of approximately 20–40 degrees and/or warm areas over 100 degrees.
- Applicants must be willing and able to work in wet and humid environments.
- Applicants must wear a hard hat, hearing and eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes.
- Applicants must work in noisy environments while using personal protective equipment.
- Applicants must work with sanitation and cleaning chemicals and around strong smells or odors.
- Applicants must climb and move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways, and platforms.
- Applicants must bend, stoop, and twist repetitively throughout the shift.
- Applicants must walk long distances.
- Applicants may need certification to operate various pieces of required equipment.
- Applicants must be able to perform physically demanding work, including repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 pounds, single lifting of objects up to 60 pounds, or lifting with mechanical assistance.
- Applicants must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime based on production demands.
- Work with hand tools, knives, machinery, and other equipment to process meat products for consumers.
- Perform essential production tasks and support coworkers.
- Help maintain a safe and efficient production line.
- Contribute to delivering safe, high-quality food.
- Perform additional essential functions applicable to specific jobs and other duties as assigned.
Smithfield Foods produces and distributes pork and other packaged meats in the United States and around the world. It works by partnering with U.S. farmers to source hogs, processing the meat into a range of brands, and selling to retailers, foodservice, and other customers. The company differentiates itself with a large scale, a broad brand portfolio, and long-standing farming relationships that help ensure steady supply. Its goal is to responsibly meet global demand for quality protein.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$4.7B
Headquarters
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Founded
1936
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q1 2026 revenue rose 0.8% to $3.8 billion; adjusted operating profit hit records.
- Packaged Meats sales climbed 6.2% to $2.15 billion, driven by value-added products.
- Smithfield launched Meal Ready Cuts and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Brats nationwide.
What critics are saying
- Springfield, Massachusetts closes in August 2026, eliminating 190 jobs and disrupting production.
- Nathan's acquisition still needs CFIUS clearance; a rejection kills the $450 million deal.
- A failed Sioux Falls transfer traps Smithfield in a century-old, higher-cost, odor-prone site.
What makes Smithfield Foods unique
- Smithfield's vertical integration links hog production, fresh pork, and packaged meats across cycles.
- The $1.3 billion Sioux Falls replacement plant embeds automation, odor control, and scale.
- Nathan's Famous ownership would add a nationally recognized branded hot-dog platform.
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Company News
Gentry Locke welcomes former executive and legal leader Stewart T. Leeth to the firm. The Virginia law firm Gentry Locke is pleased to announce that Stewart T. Leeth, a seasoned c-suite executive with more than 30 years of legal, regulatory, and sustainability experience, has joined the firm. Stewart brings a proven track record of aligning legal strategy with business objectives, advancing corporate sustainability initiatives, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders across the public and private sectors. "We are excited to welcome Stewart to the firm," said Gentry Locke Managing Partner Brett Marston. "His extensive experience at the intersection of law, business strategy, and environmental sustainability, combined with his ability to navigate complex regulatory environments, will be an exceptional asset to our clients and our firm." Serving in leadership roles with Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD), a Fortune 500 company, Leeth most recently served as Chief Sustainability Officer where he acted as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, helping align global sustainability initiatives with core business strategy. In this role, Leeth oversaw environmental compliance efforts worldwide and represented the company in engagements with government officials, non-governmental organizations, and key external stakeholders. He also played a pivotal role in business development initiatives, serving as a strategic partner to sales teams and strengthening relationships with major customers. During his tenure at Smithfield Foods, Leeth initiated Smithfield Renewables, an innovative platform focused on identifying and advancing renewable energy opportunities. He also served on the boards of two company joint ventures, Align RNG, LLC, and Monarch Bioenergy LLC, supporting cutting-edge work in methane capture and renewable energy development. Prior to serving as the Chief Sustainability Officer, Leeth served in a variety of legal and business roles, including as Vice President overseeing corporate environmental compliance and state government affairs teams across the United States, General Counsel for the production division, Deputy Director of the company's charitable foundation, and Chief Corporate Environmental Counsel. Earlier in his career at Smithfield, Leeth played a central role in developing and expanding the company's global sustainability strategy and helped establish one of the first comprehensive sustainability programs in the protein industry. Before joining Smithfield, Leeth was a partner at a global law firm where he represented clients in complex environmental and regulatory matters, including litigation, rulemaking, and permitting. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources Section of the Attorney General's Office, advising state agencies and handling administrative law and enforcement matters. Leeth began his legal career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Claude M. Hilton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Leeth remains actively engaged in civic and industry leadership, having served in numerous roles with organizations such as the National Pork Board, the Virginia Land Conservation Board, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, and multiple conservation and agribusiness organizations across Virginia and North Carolina. He has also authored a portion of the Virginia Local Government Attorney's Manual for over two decades. His work reflects a strong commitment to sustainable development, public service, and regional economic growth. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Richmond. With Stewart's addition, Gentry Locke continues to strengthen its ability to provide forward-thinking legal counsel that integrates business strategy, regulatory insight, and real-world executive experience.
Task force announced to begin process of redeveloping downtown Smithfield Foods site. June 15, 2026 A 13-member task force has been named that will help guide the first phase of redeveloping the Smithfield Foods property in downtown Sioux Falls. Falls Area Development Corporation, a nonprofit under the umbrella of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, ultimately will purchase the 120-acre property adjacent to Falls Park as Smithfield Foods builds an estimated $1.3 billion state-of-the-art plant at Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls. Falls Area Development Corporation will lead the effort to redevelop the Sanford District - named in honor of a $50 million donation from philanthropist Denny Sanford that allowed the land deal to come together. The Sanford District Advisory Task Force will lay the groundwork for a collaborative community master planning process, starting with about a year of research into potential approaches. The task force is "really about getting a head start knowing that everyone is going to want input into the process," said Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation. "And we want the process in place and want to know what we're going to do, so when we do get control of the property and tear it down, we know which direction we want to go." The phase one group will be chaired by Scott Stern, president of Stern Oil Co. Inc., who served as commissioner of the Governor's Office of Economic Development for three years under Gov. Dennis Daugaard. "I'm honored to do it," Stern said. "It is a multigenerational project opportunity... a wonderful opportunity, so I'm excited to do it." Stern agreed after Mayor Paul TenHaken approached him about taking on the role. "We need someone who understands economic development, someone who's known as a unifier and someone who can corral a room and bring people together, and when you look at those criteria, the list gets pretty short," TenHaken said. Stern had a list of thoughtful, detailed questions about the role to understand it before committing, "which reinforced he was the right guy to do this," the mayor added. Additional members of the volunteer task force were determined by Falls Area Development Corporation. "We looked at representatives from the city, from the private sector and just really looked at people... who were highly involved in the community, who had access to a lot of different parts of the community, looking at neighborhood developments and what the demographic of Sioux Falls looks like," Mundt said. The task force members are: * Scott Stern, chairman * Mark Cotter, Sioux Falls public works director * Todd Ernst, representing the Falls Area Development Corporation board * Lucas Fiegen, representing the FADC board * Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. * Vaney Hariri, at-large community member * Shawn Pritchett, Sioux Falls director of finance * Jessie Schmidt, at-large community member * Keith Severson, representing the FADC board * Jennifer Sigette, representing the City Council * Roger Weber, representing the FADC board * Anita Wetsch, at-large community member * Kadyn Wittman, at-large community member Sioux Falls-based Maximizing Excellence has been hired to serve as facilitator for the group. "It's a great group. They really have assembled a nice team," Stern said. "When I looked at this, big picture, Sioux Falls was domiciled at that location with the Falls being the birthplace of the community. And to now bookend that with the development here, I think it absolutely, completely resets Sioux Falls from a retail, business development, residential, quality-of-life, placemaking environment." The task force is expected to spend the next year looking at case studies for large-scale redevelopment in other communities, evaluating financing options and governance for the site. It also will look at necessary and existing infrastructure at the site as well as surrounding properties, from a potential road network to water and wastewater capacity. "That's all research, really, at this point," Stern said, adding that once the potential and constraints of the site are established, the process can move forward with more directly applicable public input. "I'm a very transparent guy, and we want to be extremely transparent," he said. "We want to engage the public about what is the highest and best use of real estate." While a new mayoral administration begins in July, the idea with the Sanford District falling under the Falls Area Development Corporation allows it to transcend administrations, TenHaken said. "We're at the table, but we're not at the head of the table, and we don't always need to be the leader in every initiative," he said. "It's a partnership, and that's the piece I wanted to make sure we got done. We honestly move at the speed of government, and we wanted to make sure there was a little more nimbleness that could happen with the development of the district. It allows more creativity and flexibility with what happens there. The city has a say, but we don't have to move at a city pace." The structure of Falls Area Development Corporation as a nonprofit also allows it to access funding through foundations, limit liability and leverage public and grant dollars, Mundt said. The expectation is that Smithfield will purchase its approximately 200 acres for the new facility at Foundation Park sometime this year, and FADC has until mid-2030 to purchase the downtown site. One outcome of the task force likely will be to determine a structure for the district going forward after looking at options in other communities, Mundt said. "Is it an authority, a commission, does it have quasi-governmental ties, what does it look like and how is it governed," he said. "We'll be looking at the structure, and once we get into the master planning phase, there will be multiple opportunities for public input." Because the task force falls under the nonprofit entity and not a public entity, it is not obligated to follow public open meeting laws. However, there will be public presentations of information learned, progress reports and public forums throughout the process, Mundt said. The phase one task force will recommended actions to the Falls Area Development Corporation board, which will make the final decision on how to proceed to the following phases of work. Those are anticipated to include: * Phase two: Master planning and community engagement, beginning midsummer 2027. * Phase three: Property acquisition and cleanup, beginning 2029 or later. * Phase four: Property redevelopment, beginning 2030 or later. * The overall development is expected to take decades to fully mature. "This is not going to happen overnight," Stern said. "There's going to be such an urgency to see something happen, but we're going to be very deliberative and patient and do a lot of homework and analysis."
Smithfield Foods partners with Operation Homefront to support military and veteran families. Partnership to fund transitional housing support, volunteer events and Holiday Meals for Military(R) program. Community Support MAY 24TH, 2026 SMITHFIELD, Va., May 25, 2026 -Smithfield Foods made a $150,000 contribution to Operation Homefront, a national military nonprofit, to support its mission of helping military and veteran families achieve long-term stability and security. "On Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, while also recognizing the ongoing needs of the military families who carry their legacy forward," said Jim Monroe, vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods. "Through our partnership with Operation Homefront, we are proud to invest in programs that provide meaningful, lasting support to military and veteran families across the country." Operation Homefront will use Smithfield's investment to support two of its cornerstone initiatives: Transitional Homes for Veterans and Holiday Meals for Military(R). "We are grateful that Smithfield Foods is joining Operation Homefront in building strong, stable and secure military and veteran families," said Regan Huneycutt, chief revenue officer for Operation Homefront. "We are seeing significant and growing needs among the families we serve, including an alarming increase in requests for food assistance and challenges associated with transitioning back to civilian life. Military families face unique hardships, and with this support, we can continue meeting them where and when they need us most." Supporting Military Families Through Transitional Housing On May 22, Smithfield employees volunteered at a home in Operation Homefront's Transitional Homes for Veterans program in Fayetteville, North Carolina, completing hands-on projects including assembling new patio furniture, children's toys and a barbecue grill, as well as landscaping and gardening to create a welcoming outdoor space for the veteran family. The company will continue its support with an upcoming volunteer event in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 29. Operation Homefront's portfolio of transitional housing programs provides rent- and utility-free housing combined with personalized financial counseling, employment support and case management. These programs are designed to help veterans and their families transition successfully to civilian life, build financial independence and ultimately achieve long-term housing stability. Smithfield's support is expected to help fund housing assistance and services for approximately 10 to 15 military families, reducing immediate financial pressures that often accompany a service member's transition to civilian life, while equipping participants with tools for long-term success. Providing Holiday Meals for Military(R) Smithfield and Operation Homefront will host four Holiday Meals for Military(R) events in 2026: one in June in Omaha, Nebraska, and three in November in Junction City and Wichita, Kansas, and Jacksonville, North Carolina. The Holiday Meals for Military(R) program helps address food insecurity among military families by providing pantry staples and grocery gift cards so families can prepare a traditional holiday meal of their choice. Since its inception, the program has provided over 230,000 meals to military and veteran families nationwide. Smithfield's investment will help provide approximately 750 meals to military and veteran families across Operation Homefront's central and east regions, ensuring families can gather, share traditions and experience the comfort of a holiday meal together. Smithfield is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of American veterans and their families through its Helping Its Heroes program, which focuses on strengthening the community and family support systems veterans rely on. To learn more about Smithfield's initiatives, visit smithfieldfoods.com/veterans. About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFD) is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, Smithfield Foods Inc. responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. About Operation Homefront Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional, and social well-being. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 85 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of its donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America's military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
Smithfield Foods sees success with packaged meats in Q1 earnings. 04.29.2026 SMITHFIELD, VA. - Smithfield Foods Inc. detailed how the pork processor is working through rising costs across the supply chain, but reported positive growth in its packaged meats division in its fiscal first quarter. In the first quarter, ended March 29, Smithfield reported a net income of $249 million, equal to 63¢ per share on the common stock, up from $227 million, or 57¢ per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 0.8% year-over-year to $3.80 billion, compared to $3.77 billion in 2025. "We delivered record first-quarter results through disciplined execution across the business, led by strong performance in Packaged Meats," said Shane Smith, president of Smithfield Foods. "Adjusted operating profit reached a first-quarter record, underscoring the strength of our vertically integrated model. This performance reflects the actions our team is taking to drive profitable growth while navigating a dynamic operating environment." Smithfield's operating profit increased to $333 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $321 million during the same period last year. Meanwhile, operating margin increased to 8.7% compared to 8.5% the year prior. "We continue to navigate a challenging external environment with the Middle East conflict adding another layer of macro volatility," Smith said. "For us, that flows through higher freight, packaging, and agricultural input costs. Our experienced team is managing through this the same way we have in past cycles: pricing and mix, disciplined spending, productivity initiatives, hedging, and contract and procurement actions. The US consumer continues to be cautious and we are focused on delivering value and nutrition for families." The Packaged Meats segment reported $2.15 billion in revenue, up 6.2% from last year's $2.02 billion. Operating profit stood at $275 million year-over-year compared to the previous year's $266 million, with an operating margin of 12.8% compared to 13.1% in the first quarter of 2025. "A great example of this is converting large holiday hams into products like our prime fresh lunch meat, which increases units and purchasing occasions while expanding margins," Smith said during the earnings call. "Coming out of 2025, we saw strong momentum in these value-added categories and that carried over into 2026." During a conference call to report the company's financial performance for the quarter, Steve France, president of packaged meats at Smithfield, said raw material costs were up by $94 million year over year. The Fresh Pork segment reported a decline in earnings from 2025. Operating profit for the business unit declined 4.3% to $78 million from $82 million last year, while sales were slightly lower with $2.01 billion in first quarter 2026 from $2.03 billion in 2025. The segment's operating margin sat at 3.9%, compared to 4.0% a year ago. Smith said the strategy to grow operating profit includes growing volume in its retail channel, focusing on higher margin, value-added case-ready and marinated offerings; and expanding adjacent channel opportunities such as pharmaceuticals and pet food. Other options included implementing automation and driving plant efficiency along with yield optimization and supply chain savings. The third Smithfield business unit, Hog Production, reported modest profitability gains. The segment posted an operating profit of $4 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared to $1 million in the same period in 2025. However, revenue declined 17.5% to $769 million, compared with $932 million the previous year. Operating profit margin was 0.5%, up from 0.1% in 2025. During the earnings call freight and transportation costs were mentioned several times with Smithfield leaders discussing how it will continue to use its transportation network optimization to address rising costs. During the call, Smith said the company decreased its miles on the road by 1 million miles in 2025 over 2024 and plans to take another million miles off the road during 2026. Smith also mentioned the new Sioux Falls, SD processing plant that was announced in February and said the company would share more information once the company secured final approvals. Smithfield's acquisition of hot dog brand Nathan's Famous Inc. was also mentioned during the call. The transaction is currently undergoing a Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review. Get better meat and poultry industry search results. Adding us tells Google to prioritize MEAT+POULTRY stories.
New Meal Ready Cuts from Smithfield(R) deliver bold flavor in minutes with no prep required. A new line of pre-cut, pre-marinated pork delivers premium meals in under 20 minutes. Brands APR 13TH, 2026 SMITHFIELD, Va., April 14, 2026 - Smithfield is redefining mealtime with the launch of Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts, a first-of-its-kind lineup of pre-cut, pre-marinated fresh pork designed to deliver bold, globally inspired meals in under 20 minutes. With no preparation, marinating or chopping required, the lineup brings restaurant-worthy flavor straight from package to pan. Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts meets the demands of busy weeknights, making pork an easy, exciting solution for fast meals without sacrificing flavor. Featuring pre-marinated, ready-to-cook cuts, the lineup streamlines preparation, so home cooks can create flavorful and impressive dishes in minutes, with no cutting, no seasoning, no hassle. In other words, Smithfield is taking care of the hard part so home cooks can get straight to the "wow, this is good" part. The new product line features three crave-worthy varieties: Korean BBQ Pork Loin Strips, Carne Asada Pork Loin Strips and Sweet & Smoky BBQ Pork Belly Bites, each crafted to deliver globally inspired flavor with minimal effort. Designed for quick stovetop cooking, air frying or tossing into tacos, rice bowls, salads and wraps, Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts make it easy to turn everyday meals into something worth savoring because a little less effort should still deliver a lot more flavor. "Consumers want big flavor without all the work," said Marianne Radley, managing director of marketing for Smithfield Foods. "With Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts, we've taken care of the hard part so all that's left for you to do is cook, serve and enjoy. It's premium taste without the premium prep." Made with premium, fresh pork, each variety offers up to 19 grams of protein per serving, for a convenient, high-protein option for everyday meals. Smithfield Meal Ready Cuts are now available nationwide at major retailers, including Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons and Meijer. For more information, recipes and meal inspiration, visit www.Smithfield.com or follow @smithfieldbrand on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. About Smithfield Smithfield(R) isn't only a leading provider of high-quality pork products. Smithfield Foods Inc. is also a leading provider of the most important part of any meal: premium, high-quality meat. And Smithfield Foods Inc. take its meat duties seriously. After all, the rest of the meal is just a side dish. Smithfield products were first introduced in 1936 in Smithfield, Virginia, by people who lived for the love of meat. Today, the Smithfield brand stands for craftsmanship, authenticity, and pure passion as Smithfield Foods Inc. continue to give meat lovers across the country the deliciousness they crave: its classic bacon, slow-smoked holiday hams, hand-trimmed ribs, marinated fresh pork, smoked meats, and even more meaty magic. All Smithfield products not only meet its customers' high flavor standards but also meet the highest quality and safety standards in the industry. All while being produced right here in the USA. To learn more about the Smithfield portfolio of products, please visit www.Smithfield.com and connect with Smithfield Foods Inc. on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Smithfield(R) is a brand of Smithfield Foods, Inc. About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods (Nasdaq: SFD) is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, Smithfield Foods Inc. responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world.