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Poultry Processing Workers Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Perdue Farms

Catch Crew Worker

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$26.70 - $27.60/hr

Summary Join our team as a Catch Crew Worker and make a direct impact at the very start of our production process! In this active, outdoor role, you'll work directly with live poultry using ...

Perdue Farms

Catch Crew Worker

Petaluma, CA

$26.70 - $27.60/hr

Summary Join our team as a Catch Crew Worker and make a direct impact at the very start of our production process! In this active, outdoor role, you'll work directly with live poultry using ...

Perdue Farms

Catch Crew Worker

Petaluma, CA

$26.70 - $27.60/hr

Summary Join our team as a Catch Crew Worker and make a direct impact at the very start of our production process! In this active, outdoor role, you'll work directly with live poultry using ...

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All JobsPoultry Processing Workers JobsPoultry Processing Workers Jobs in California

Poultry Processing Workers information

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$16

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How much do poultry processing workers jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for poultry processing workers in California is $16.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a poultry processing worker?

Poultry processing workers are individuals who work in facilities that prepare chickens, turkeys, and other birds for sale and consumption. Their responsibilities include tasks such as slaughtering, defeathering, cutting, packaging, and inspecting poultry products to ensure quality and safety standards are met. These workers operate various equipment and follow strict hygiene and safety protocols to prevent contamination. The job can be physically demanding and may involve working in cold environments. Poultry processing workers play a key role in getting poultry products from farms to consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a poultry processing worker?

To thrive as a Poultry Processing Worker, you need good manual dexterity, physical stamina, attention to detail, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with food safety standards, use of knives, cutting tools, and processing machinery is important, and some employers may require basic food handling certifications. Teamwork, reliability, and the ability to follow instructions are crucial soft skills that help workers excel in fast-paced environments. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, efficient, and high-quality processing of poultry products in compliance with health regulations.

What is the difference between Poultry Processing Workers vs Meat Processing Workers?

AspectPoultry Processing WorkersMeat Processing Workers
CredentialsMinimal certifications, some may require food safety trainingSimilar certifications, often food safety and sanitation training
Work EnvironmentProcessing plants handling chicken, turkey, or other poultryProcessing plants handling beef, pork, or other meats
Industry UsageCommon in poultry industry, poultry farms, processing plantsCommon in meat industry, slaughterhouses, meat packing plants
Job TasksProcessing, cleaning, and packaging poultry productsButchering, trimming, and packaging various meats

Both Poultry Processing Workers and Meat Processing Workers perform essential roles in food processing, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in the type of meat they handle—poultry versus other meats—making their job tasks specialized to their respective products.

What are some common challenges poultry processing workers face, and how can they be managed on the job?

Poultry processing workers often encounter challenges such as repetitive motions, fast-paced work, and maintaining strict hygiene standards. To manage these demands, it's important to follow proper ergonomic techniques to reduce strain, take scheduled breaks, and adhere closely to safety protocols. Additionally, clear communication with supervisors and team members can help address issues quickly and maintain a supportive work environment. Most employers provide training and personal protective equipment to help workers perform their tasks safely and efficiently.

What are popular job titles related to Poultry Processing Workers jobs in California?

For Poultry Processing Workers jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Poultry Processing Workers jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Poultry Processing Workers jobs in California are:

Poultry Processing Workers jobs near you
Infographic showing various Poultry Processing Workers job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,098 per year, or $16.4 per hour.

Operations Excellence Engineer I

Foster Farms

Livingston, CA • On-site

$96K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Foster Farms rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

308th of 438 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Pay Range: $96,100 - $120,120 per year
The Operational Excellence Engineer I supports operational excellence engineering initiatives and continuous improvement across poultry processing operations. Reporting to the Complex Manager, this engineering role partners with live production, processing operations, maintenance, quality assurance, food safety, environmental, animal welfare and safety teams to identify, analyze, and implement data-driven improvements to enhance throughput, yield, cost control, compliance, and overall operational performance.
This industrial engineering position applies Lean, Six Sigma, and audit-based methodologies to strengthen executional discipline, standardize processes, reduce variability, and ensure compliance with regulatory, food safety, animal welfare, and internal operating standards. The OE Engineer plays a key role in supporting plant strategy by improving foundational processes, driving operational efficiencies, and delivering measurable value to internal and external customers.
Essential Functions:
  • Collect and analyze operational, yield, labor, downtime, and quality data to assess current-state performance and identify process improvement opportunities across poultry processing operations.
  • Conduct analysis and process mapping, time studies, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone) to identify bottlenecks and sources of variability.
  • Collaborate on and design Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, including waste reduction, line efficiency, yield improvement, labor optimization, and cost reduction.
  • Develop internal audits, operational assessments, and compliance reviews related to food safety, quality, animal welfare, safety, and operational standards.
  • Design, coordinate and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) and ensure sustained compliance.
  • Drive process, equipment, and work-instruction standardization across departments and facilities to improve consistency and executional discipline.
  • Collaborate on and design improvement projects end-to-end, including scoping, planning, testing, implementation, training, and post-implementation validation.
  • Develop and enhance project documentation, including project plans, timelines, SOPs, workflow maps, standard work, transition plans, and hand-off documentation.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration across processing, live operations, maintenance, engineering, QA, and safety teams with competing priorities.
  • Collect, validate, and analyze performance metrics; develop dashboards and reports to track KPIs such as yield, efficiency, labor, safety, quality, and downtime.
  • Plan implementation and optimization of operational systems, ensuring data integrity and effective reporting.
  • Identify and implement initiatives that improve food safety, employee safety, animal welfare outcomes, and reduce operational risk.
  • Analyze and develop solutions relating to sustainability of improvements through audits, performance reviews, and management routines.
  • Serve as an active member of the organization's cross-functional Operational Excellence team.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in business, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in poultry, meat processing, food manufacturing, high-volume labor-intensive operations or a related operations environment.
  • Strong data analysis, database management, and business operations experience.
  • Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies; Lean Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt) preferred.
  • Experience supporting or participating in internal audits, operational assessments, or compliance programs.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills preferred.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
  • Excellent facilitation, training, and communication skills with an end-user and operations-focused mindset.
  • Proven ability to identify root causes, develop corrective actions, and drive sustainable results.
  • High attention to detail and strong organizational and time-management skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, perspectives, and backgrounds in a fast-paced production environment.
  • Ability to build strong relationships and influence change across all levels of the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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