Poultry Handler (Heavy Lifting Required)

Pearl River is seeking reliable, safety-minded individuals to join our production team as a Poultry Handler at our plant in Carthage, Mississippi. This is an hourly position, and you will be paid weekly for time worked.

The Poultry Handler job has two primary roles we call "Dumpers" and "Pullers." The Dumpers take an empty, sanitized plastic bin, open a batch of chicken meat (chicken tenders and/or breasts), put the chicken into the bin, lift the bin, walk it to cutting tables, and dump the chicken meat onto the tables so the Cutters can begin processing it. The Pullers move the processed chicken meat into the bins and then move the bins on a roller system once they are filled with cut chicken. The bins typically weigh between 70 and 90 pounds when full, depending on the volume processed by the Cutters. Ideally, a bin should be removed every hour; however, sometimes the pace of work is so rapid that bins must be lifted every 20 to 30 minutes to prevent spillage and to ensure the bins do not become excessively heavy. The bins removed from the cutting stations are checked on a roller conveyor and weighed to track the total poundage processed per batch or per hour.

To be eligible for employment as a Poultry Handler, you cannothave undergone any back surgeries or have back issues, as the work involves constantly lifting heavy bins throughout the shift. All Poultry Handlers are required to wear a back support belt, which is provided by Pearl River Foods.

Job Responsibilities

• Handle raw chicken meat that is maintained at 35°F or lower.
• Lift filled bins weighing between 50 lbs. (partially full) and 70 to 90 lbs. (full).
• Move raw chicken onto cutting tables from a bin for processing and/or remove raw chicken after it is processed by placing it into a bin.
• Move bins from various points on the processing floor to and from the cutting tables.
• Meet quality-control expectations and maintain high product yields.
• Follow all supervisor instructions, food-safety procedures, and workplace safety rules.
• Maintain a minimum production standard.
• Work in a cold, damp production room while wearing required personal protective equipment.

Pay

This position offers performance-based pay opportunities. To help employees succeed, Pearl River Farms offers starting pay of $16.50 per hour. After 60 days, pay will be increased if you are assigned to the 2nd Shift.

Work Environment and Job Functions

This job is performed in a cold, damp room while walking and standing for an 8-hour shift. The work involves full body movement and heavy lifting. Additional requirements include:

• Standing and walking on your feet for up to 8 hours per shift.
• Working with raw poultry in a refrigerated production environment.
• Wearing required PPE, such as a back brace, boots, smocks, and other protective equipment.
• Lifting heavy loads.

Schedule

• 1st and 2nd shift roles are available Monday through Friday.
• 8-hour shifts are available, and some overtime may be required during the workweek.
• Occasional Saturday work may be required.
• Meal and rest breaks are provided in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

Required Qualifications

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Pearl River Foods is unable to provide employment sponsorship for this position.
• Ability to understand and follow safety, food-safety, production, and supervisor instructions in English and/or Spanish.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Weekly Paychecks
• Six (6) Paid Holidays
• Earned Vacation
• Medical, Dental, and VisionInsurance with a portion of the premiums paid by Pearl River Foods

Join Our Team

Pearl River Foods offers steady work, skill-building training, and performance-based pay opportunities for motivated team members who are committed to safety, quality, and productivity.

Pearl River Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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