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Pork Processing Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pork Trading Manager role is responsible for commercializing pork production from the processing plant by optimizing product mix, pricing, and market timing to maximize carcass value and plant ...

Examples of areas of focus include Plant Operations, Pricing, Production Scheduling, Revenue ... Requires an initial, expenses paid, 5-week training period at one of our beef or pork processing ...

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Pork Processing Plant information

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How much do pork processing plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for pork processing plant in the United States is $23.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by employees working in a pork processing plant, and how are they addressed?

Employees in pork processing plants often face challenges such as working in cold environments, performing repetitive tasks, and adhering to strict safety and hygiene protocols. To address these challenges, plants typically provide comprehensive training on equipment use and safety procedures, regular breaks, and proper protective gear. Additionally, teamwork is emphasized to ensure workflow efficiency and to support one another in maintaining high standards of quality and safety throughout the production process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Pork Processing Plant, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Pork Processing Plant, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of food safety standards, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with processing equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes HACCP certification is typically required. Strong teamwork, good communication, and the ability to follow instructions precisely help individuals excel in this environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining product quality, ensuring safety, and supporting efficient plant operations.

What is the difference between Pork Processing Plant vs Butcher?

AspectPork Processing PlantButcher
CredentialsFood safety certifications, OSHA trainingMeat cutting certifications, apprenticeship
Work EnvironmentIndustrial, noisy, cold facilitiesMeat shops, retail or wholesale settings
Industry UsageManufacturing, large-scale processingRetail, custom cuts, small-scale

The Pork Processing Plant involves large-scale meat processing with a focus on safety and efficiency, often requiring specific certifications. A butcher typically works in retail or small-scale settings, performing custom cuts and customer service. While both roles handle pork, the processing plant emphasizes industrial production, whereas butchers focus on individual customer needs.

What is a pork processing plant?

A pork processing plant is a facility where hogs are slaughtered and processed into various pork products for human consumption. The process typically involves slaughtering, butchering, cleaning, and packaging pork, as well as adhering to strict food safety and quality standards. Workers in these plants perform a variety of tasks, such as cutting meat, operating machinery, and inspecting products to ensure they meet regulatory guidelines. Pork processing plants play a crucial role in supplying pork to grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service providers.
More about Pork Processing Plant jobs
What states have the most Pork Processing Plant jobs? States with the most job openings for Pork Processing Plant jobs include:
Infographic showing various Pork Processing Plant job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,108 per year, or $23.6 per hour.
Commodity Sales Manager

Commodity Sales Manager

The Wenger Group

Souderton, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


The Wenger Group rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Who are we:


We're a leading Northeast family-owned food, agricultural products, and agricultural services organization headquartered in Pennsylvania. We provide animal nutrition and feeds; specialty protein production, processing, and marketing; on-farm protein production services; and grain, fertilizer, and ingredient procurement.Leidy's is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wenger Group since 2022. Leidy's is a 125-year-old pork company still located on the family farm in Pennsylvania, where Jacob Leidy was deeded the original land grant by William Penn in 1753.
We're a stable company with strong core values, great benefits, competitive wage structure, and a safe and healthy work environment. With over 1000 team members, we're a growing company in an essential sector – agriculture!
Learn more here: https://www.thewengergroup.com

Position Summary :

The Pork Trading Manager role is responsible for commercializing pork production from the processing plant by optimizing product mix, pricing, and market timing to maximize carcass value and plant margins. This role bridges operations, sales, and risk management, translating slaughter volumes and yields into profitable market execution across domestic and export channels.

Carcass & Product Value Optimization

·         Manage the pricing and sale of pork primals, sub-primals, trims, offal, and by-products to maximize overall carcass value

·         Analyze yields, cutout values, and plant performance to inform pricing and sales strategy

·         Align product mix decisions with slaughter schedules, customer demand, and margin objectives

 

Market Execution & Pricing Strategy

·         Set daily and short-term pork pricing strategies based on market conditions, inventory, and customer contracts

·         Negotiate sales with distributors, foodservice, retail, and export customers

·         Balance spot-market sales versus program business to optimize returns and manage risk

·         Monitor competing packer pricing, industry cutout trends, and cold storage levels

 

Risk Management & Hedging

·         Manage price exposure related to pork sales using Lean Hog futures, options, and other risk tools

·         Coordinate hog procurement economics with pork sales strategy to protect crush margins

·         Track daily positions, P&L performance, and exposure relative to company risk limits

 

Cross-Functional Coordination

·         Work closely with plant operations to align slaughter volumes, specs, and yields with market needs

·         Partner with sales teams to support customer programs, promotions, and contract pricing

·         Collaborate with logistics, inventory, and quality teams to ensure execution against sales commitments

 

Market Intelligence & Reporting

·         Provide regular market insights, pricing guidance, and forward-looking scenarios to leadership

·         Track supply/demand fundamentals including slaughter levels, weights, exports, and seasonal trends

·         Support annual budgeting, margin forecasting, and strategic planning

 

Customer Relationship Management

·         Maintain and deepen relationships with key customers and channel partners

·         Identify opportunities to grow value-added, branded, or export business

·         Support long-term customer agreements with data-driven pricing and volume recommendations

Qualifications and Requirements:

Required Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Animal Science, Economics, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)

·         3+ years of experience in pork processing, merchandising, protein trading, or commercial meat sales

·         Strong understanding of pork carcass fabrication, yields, cutout math, and pricing formulas

·         Experience using futures and options for margin and risk management

·         Experience working directly in or alongside pork processing operations preferred

·         Familiarity with USDA reporting, cutout values, and export regulations preferred

·         Proven ability to manage margins across the full value chain (hog to boxed meat) preferred

 

Key Skills & Competencies

·         Strong commercial and analytical judgment

·         Ability to translate plant data into market decisions

·         Disciplined risk awareness and margin focus

·         Collaborative mindset across operations and sales

·         Clear communicator in fast-paced, margin-driven environments

 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

·         Carcass and cutout margin performance

·         Alignment of sales pricing with market and competitor benchmarks

·         Risk compliance and margin protection

·         Inventory turnover and program execution accuracy

 

Work Environment

·         High-accountability, results-oriented processor environment

·         Regular interaction with plant leadership and sales teams

·         Market-driven schedule with time-sensitive pricing decisions

 

Physical Demands:

·         Sitting 80%                              

·         Walking 10%

Standing 10%