Nightshift Live Hanger

Posted: 12/02/2024

Pilgrim's is the second largest chicken producer in the world, with operations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico and the U.K. Pilgrim's processes, prepates, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added poultry products for sale to customers in more than 100 countries, employs more than 50,000 people and contracts with more than 5,200 family farmers. Pilgrim's is headquartered in beautiful Greely, Colorado, at the JBS USA corporate office.

At Pilgrim's, safety is a concern, which means the safety of our team members comes first always.

Purpose:
The Live Hanger is responsible for firmly inserting both feet of the chicken into moving shackles using tools (to include knives), manual labor, and equipment provided in accordance with USDA and Pilgrim's Company product standards and procedures. 

Description:
Team member will place a live bird into the every 6th shackle with both feet inserted firmly. The 6th hanger will catch and rehang any birds that have been hung by only one leg while hanging their own shackle. The 1st hanger is responsible for moving the belt forward to bring in birds. 

Process product according to operating procedures and quality/quantity expectations. Observes equipment operation, notifying appropriate personnel of any malfunctions and/or safety issues/concerns. Observes all company personnel, quality, safety, and food safety policies. Maintains a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner so that you work effectively and cooperatively with customers, clients, co-workers, and leadership teams. Follow all company animal welfare guidelines. Other duties as assigned to include rotation with other positions within the department such as:

Cage Dumper: The Cage Transfer Dumper Operator is responsible for effectively dumping the proper amount of birds onto the belt in such a manner as to not pile the birds up. This could smother the birds. This partner must keep a steady flow of birds on the belt and not let the belts run empty. 

  • To bring in a full cage of birds by a hydraulic lever
  • To dump the birds onto the bolts in a well-balanced manner so the live hangers for not run out of birds to hang and so the cages are not over dumped. 
  • To transfer the empty cages to be washed and reloaded onto the trailer. 
Yard Jockey: This person keeps all trailers in the proper rotation and keeps birds in the shed so the department does not run out of chicken. 
  • Keeps trailers in proper rotation for slaughter.
  • Keeps live trailers full of birds in unload area of operation.
  • Backs empty trailers into the shed. 
  • Assists boom down when there is time.
  • Pre-inspects yard truck.
Floor Relief Person: The floor/relief person is responsible for keeping all dead birds off of the floor around the area of operation and keeping the live hang department presentable and clean. This partner also serves as a substitute to ensure all live hangers receive their breaks. 
  • Keeps all dead birds off of the floor, and places them into the dead bird barrel
  • Keep all live birds off of the floor, sprays down the floor, and keeps the area of operation clean
  • Partner relives all dumpster operators and hangers
Backup Killer: The kill person is responsible for cutting the throat of any bird missed by the kill machine. ​

Cage Loader: The load operator is responsible for keeping full cages of live birds on the dumper system and loading empty onto the proper trailer. 
  • To keep full cages of birds on the dumper system so the dumper does not run out of birds to process
  • To retrieve and reload empty cages onto the trailer
  • To run pre-inspection of loaders prior to shift start up, to report any deficiencies to the supervisor, and to write inspections onto the log sheet for the garage. 
Picking Room Attendant: The picking room attendant is responsible for providing the First Processing Eviscerations Department with a proper, clean bird. A proper, clean bird is one without feathers, head and feet. This partner will perform general labor duties within the First Processing Operations. 
  • Adjust pickers to meet quality expectations
  • Adjust head pullers and other equipment in the picking room to meet quality expectations
  • Monitor feet productions so quality standards and yield goals are met
  • Monitor scalder temperatures and adjust accordingly
  • Write up work orders for maintenance and perform maintenance duties as required
  • Ensure safe work area and suggest preventative measures
  • Provide input for changes in fingers, equipment, process, etc... in the picking room. Consideration of input will be given by the supervisor and superintendent on both day and night shift to improve operations
  • Keep area clean by picking up birds from the floor and placing them into the proper container
Basic Qualifications:
  • Ability to comprehend simple instructions
  • Ability to apply common since
  • Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations
  • Ability to work in cool temperatures (around 40 degrees in the winter) and hot temperatures (around 100 degrees in the summer)
  • Ability to stand and use hands for 8-11 hours per day
  • Ability to multitask and work quickly
  • Must be a team player and be willing to work close to other employees at some stations (Less than 3 feet apart)
  • Must have good communication skills
  • Good hand and eye coordination required
Preferred Qualifications:
  • High School diploma or G.E.D. preferred
  • Food or production experience preferred
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential function of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member will be exposed to both an office environment and the production environment of wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the production environment is usually loud. 

Applicant must also be able to do the following:
  • Sitting 100% of the time
  • Workable use of both hands and able grasp
  • Good eye sight (with or without corrective lens)
  • Able to perform repetitive task
  • Able to walk, stand, reach, bend, climb, push, pull, and stoup
  • Able to lift up to 50 lbs. in weight
EOE/Disabled/Veterans