AI summary
Trainee Herdsperson role supporting Herd Technicians with day-to-day animal care and general farm work to maintain animal welfare, health, and efficient animal movement. You’ll join Smithfield Foods, a major packaged meats and fresh pork producer with a stated focus on animal welfare and sustainability. Standout perks include an advertised $16.00/hour rate and a relocation package, plus extensive benefits and training/education support.
Key skills
Animal husbandryVaccination and basic veterinary proceduresAdministering pharmaceuticals (injection/oral)Farm sanitation using high-pressure washing equipmentAnimal handling and movementOperating farm equipment (mowers, tractors, trucks)Facility and equipment maintenanceFollowing SOPs/production manualsBiosecurity and environmental/safety compliancePhysical labor in farm conditions
Pays $16.00/hour, in line with entry-level farm/animal care roles in the Maxton, NC area.
You'll thrive here if you’re comfortable with hands-on livestock care, can handle physically demanding work and farm environments, and are flexible to work weekends/holidays while following strict animal welfare and biosecurity procedures.
Why apply
- Relocation package available
- Robust, affordable benefit plans
- Training and tuition assistance programs
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. 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. Your Opportunity Hourly Rate: $16.00 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. 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. High School diploma or GED preferred. Ability to do hard physical labor. Willingness to shower daily in and out of facility. Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed. Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions. 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 . At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. We take good care of our animals. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. 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, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit
We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit
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