Insemination Operator
About the job
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
- Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Able to twist, stoop, bend, squat, lift, carry, and reach while handling live breeder hens and tom turkeys weighing under 10 pounds to over 80 pounds, from an occasional to frequent basis.
- Cannot own or raise any type of fowl and must be able to meet breeder artificial insemination sanitation and isolation requirements.
- Able to work in an environment where dust and ammonia are present.
- Must comply with company hygiene policy, including no facial hair, due to respiratory safety factors.
- Able to perform sixth-grade-level basic math, including addition and subtraction.
- Able to maintain consistent work availability.
- Able to read and understand company programs and policies.
- Able to wear eye and respiratory equipment continuously.
- Able to walk on uneven surfaces continuously.
- Able to shower at work daily.
- Able to work five days per week, normally Monday through Friday.
- Able to twist, stoop, and bend frequently; squat occasionally; work above ground on platform trailers occasionally; lift and carry live birds weighing 26 to 80 pounds frequently and over 80 pounds frequently; and reach from below shoulder height to above shoulder height while lifting up to and over 80 pounds.
- Able to communicate with the insemination specialist, supervisor, coworkers, and team members.
- Able to work inside and outside in varying temperatures and humidities, primarily dependent on seasonal weather conditions.
- Able to flex and extend wrists continuously and repeatedly grasp and pinch with both hands.
- Perform daily breeder flock service activities involving selected, healthy breeder hens and toms and department equipment according to operating manuals.
- Catch and hold mature breeder hens from the end of a short conveyor during breeder services.
- Hold and open breeder hens during the insemination process.
- Catch breeder toms by the legs, lift them onto a short stool, place their breast on the stool, and hold them during semen collection.
- Catch and weigh breeder hens and toms during stock selection.
- Perform vaccinations using vaccinating equipment.
- Catch and load young and mature breeder birds for transportation.
- Drive breeder hens and toms during specific moves or groupings.
- Maintain breeder farm sanitation and isolation policies and procedures through training, supervisor communication, and self-management.
- Report conditions, situations, and safety hazards that jeopardize employee safety and comply with department and corporate safety and protection programs.
- Perform miscellaneous tasks as instructed by the artificial insemination specialist, A-Operator, or breeder supervisor.
- Maintain satisfactory attendance by arriving at scheduled work times.
- Assist team employees with artificial insemination area controllable costs, including supplies, repairs and maintenance, vehicle expense, heat, and electricity.
- Assist team members in achieving breeder performance goals involving fertility standards and semen quality control based on fertility, fertile egg production, and hens per cubic centimeter of semen.
- Handle live birds consistently with animal welfare and handling guidelines.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Two years of experience working with livestock.
- Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
About the company
Hormel Foods processes and distributes a variety of meat and prepared food products, including bacon, deli meats, and shelf-stable meals under brands like Spam, Jennie-O, and Applegate. The company operates by selling both branded and unbranded goods through retail stores, foodservice providers like restaurants, and international markets in over 80 countries. Unlike many competitors focused on a single niche, Hormel maintains a diverse portfolio that balances premium branded items with high-volume unbranded products across global channels. Its goal is to leverage this broad distribution network and brand variety to provide consistent food options to consumers and institutions worldwide.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Austin, Minnesota
Founded
1891
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- On September 30, 2026, Hormel agreed to buy Brakebush for $1.055 billion.
- Foodservice posted 12 consecutive organic growth quarters and reached $1 billion quarterly sales.
- SPAM Hot Honey launched September 14, 2026, expanding premium flavors at retail.
What critics are saying
- August 27, 2026 guidance cut signaled weak retail and international demand, not a one-off.
- Brakebush adds $1.055 billion of debt-funded integration risk before fiscal 2028 accretion.
- John Ghingo inherits shrinking volumes; if retail keeps falling, Hormel becomes a Foodservice-dependent chicken roll-up.
What makes Hormel Foods unique
- Hormel's Foodservice direct-sales engine solved operator problems through products like Flash 180 chicken.
- SPAM, Skippy, Applegate, and Jennie-O give Hormel rare household-brand breadth across proteins.
- Its value-added portfolio and branded innovation separate it from commodity meat processors.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Relocation Assistance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Stock Options
Company Equity
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Hormel Foods has named Holly LaVallie vice president of marketing excellence, bringing her back to the company. The Austin, Minnesota-based food maker, which has over $12 billion in annual revenue, announced the move on October 12, 2026. LaVallie will lead marketing capabilities across its Retail, Foodservice, and International businesses. Her remit covers brand strategy, design and content, media and agency management, marketing technology, training, and effectiveness. She returns from Link Snacks, where she was senior vice president of marketing, R&D and PMO. She spent 19 years at Hormel earlier in her career, working on brand management, innovation, and the Deli Solutions business. "She will play an important role as we continue to accelerate growth across our portfolio," said John Ghingo, president and chief executive officer-elect.
Hormel Foods is drawing attention from income investors with its nearly 6% dividend yield and relatively low valuation. Trading at around $20 per share with a forward P/E of 12.85x, the food company offers a 5.9% yield and has increased its dividend for 60 consecutive years, earning dividend aristocrat status. The company's recent performance shows mixed results. Third-quarter sales fell 2.4% to $2.96 billion, with retail volumes down 9% and international volumes declining 11%. However, its Foodservice segment achieved its 12th straight quarter of organic sales growth. Adjusted earnings per share rose 6% to $0.37. Operating cash flow improved significantly to $768.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2026, up from $522.3 million year-over-year. However, the dividend consumed approximately 88% of free cash flow during this period, representing a tight coverage ratio that warrants monitoring. Management expects adjusted EPS growth of 6-10% for fiscal 2026.
Hormel Foods stock enters oversold territory as dividend yield rises. By Joel Kornblau, Editor, Dividend Channel, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4:07 PM ET Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL) has moved into focus for income-oriented equity analysis after the stock entered oversold territory while continuing to screen well on dividend metrics. According to the DividendRank formula at Dividend Channel, Hormel ranks in the top 25% of the covered dividend-stock universe based on a proprietary methodology that emphasizes a combination of fundamentals and valuation. That ranking, combined with a technically weak share price, makes HRL a name worth closer review. On Tuesday, shares of Hormel traded as low as $19.8117, pushing the stock into oversold territory as measured by the Relative Strength Index, or RSI. RSI is a widely used momentum indicator that ranges from 0 to 100, with readings below 30 generally viewed as oversold. In Hormel's case, the RSI fell to 28.7, versus an average RSI of 43.0 across the dividend stocks covered by Dividend Channel. What the oversold signal means for HRL. An oversold RSI reading does not, by itself, establish that a stock has bottomed. It indicates that selling pressure has been strong enough to push momentum to an extreme level relative to recent trading history. In some cases, that can precede a short-term rebound. In others, it can reflect a market that is repricing the shares to account for weaker earnings expectations, slower growth, margin pressure, or broader sector concerns. For Hormel, the key question is whether the pullback is primarily a technical dislocation or a justified response to changing fundamentals. That distinction matters more than the RSI signal alone. Technical indicators can highlight timing, but the durability of any recovery usually depends on operating performance, pricing power, input-cost trends, and the company's ability to protect cash flow. Dividend yield has become more competitive. One direct consequence of a lower share price is a higher indicated dividend yield, assuming the payout remains unchanged. Based on Hormel's recent annualized dividend rate of $1.17 per share, paid quarterly, the stock yields 5.83% at a recent share price of $20.08. That yield is notable because it changes the investment profile of the stock. A higher yield can improve expected total return if the dividend is sustainable and if the underlying business remains stable. At the same time, a rising yield can also be a sign that the market is assigning greater risk to future earnings or payout coverage. Yield expansion is attractive only when it is supported by balance-sheet strength, free cash flow generation, and confidence in the dividend policy. Key issues to evaluate beyond RSI. Investors considering Hormel after the recent decline may want to focus on several core factors: * Dividend coverage: Whether earnings and cash flow comfortably support the current payout. * Balance sheet flexibility: The company's leverage profile and liquidity position can affect resilience during slower operating periods. * Margin trends: Input costs, pricing execution, and product mix can materially influence profitability in packaged-food companies. * Volume and demand: A defensive consumer staples profile does not eliminate the risk of weaker category demand or competitive pressure. * Valuation after the selloff: A lower share price can improve value, but only if earnings expectations do not continue to deteriorate. Why dividend history still matters. Dividend history remains an important part of the analysis because it helps frame management's capital-allocation priorities and the company's record across business cycles. While past dividends do not guarantee future payments, a consistent history of maintaining or increasing the payout can signal discipline, recurring cash generation, and a willingness to return capital to shareholders. That said, dividend history should be evaluated alongside current conditions rather than in isolation. A long track record is most meaningful when it is backed by present-day earnings power and a payout ratio that leaves room for cyclical variability. Quick take: is HRL oversold for a reason? The current setup presents two competing interpretations: * Technical opportunity: An RSI below 30 may indicate heavy selling has become stretched, creating the potential for mean reversion. * Fundamental caution: The market may be discounting weaker forward fundamentals, in which case a low RSI would be descriptive rather than predictive. The more constructive view depends on whether Hormel's operating outlook proves more stable than the recent share-price action suggests. If earnings, cash flow, and dividend coverage remain intact, the combination of a lower entry price and higher yield may become more compelling. If underlying business pressure persists, oversold conditions alone are unlikely to be sufficient. Dividend history chart. The chart below provides a visual reference for Hormel's dividend history and can help frame the stability of the company's payout over time. If this stock is worth a closer look, the related list in 10 Oversold Dividend Stocks can help surface comparable ideas.
Ben E. Keith names Hormel Foods 2026 Supplier of the Year. Ben E. Keith recognizes Hormel Foods with its top supplier honor during the distributor's 43rd annual Supplier Appreciation Day. October 6, 2026 Hormel Foods was named Ben E. Keith Foods' 2026 Supplier of the Year at the company's 43rd Annual Supplier Appreciation Day held Oct. 5, 2026, at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. "What stands out about Hormel Foods is the strength of the relationships they build," said Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods. "They invest in our people, collaborate closely with our teams and share our commitment to helping customers succeed." Looking for a reprint of this article? From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today! JOIN TODAY to unlock your recommendations. Already have an account? Sign In
Hormel Foods to buy family-owned chicken firm Brakebush for $1.06 billion. Sept 30 (Reuters) - Hormel Foods on Wednesday said it would buy family-owned chicken processor Brakebush Brothers for $1.06 billion, as the Skippy peanut butter maker looks to expand its protein portfolio. Consumers are increasingly gravitating toward protein-rich meals as health and wellness trends shape food choices. The Westfield, Wisconsin-based Brakebush generated nearly $1.2 billion in net sales in the last 12 months. The company, operated by the Brakebush family since 1925, sells processed raw and cooked chicken, including patties, wings and nuggets. Hormel said the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 and will add to its adjusted earnings per share from fiscal 2028. Hormel, which also owns brands such as organic meat processor Applegate, last month cut its annual sales forecast after missing third-quarter sales estimates. Its shares rose about 2% in premarket trading following the news. (Reporting by Shania S Thomas in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Sahal Muhammed)