Foster Farms
Top Jobs, p1
Job variety, stability give Foster Farms employees something to crow about
By Heidi Howell
Bee Creative Staff Writer
In
1939, Max and Verda Foster borrowed $1,000 from a life insurance policy
for a down payment on an 80-acre farm near Modesto. They built a barn
and raised turkeys, then chickens. In 1941, a Jersey cow dairy was
“mooved” in. Today there are two companies under the Foster Farms
banner: poultry and dairy.
Over the years, Foster Farms Poultry
gobbled up Zacky Farms, Griffith Foods and other companies to become a
major western United States supplier. Headquartered in Livingston,
California, the company delivers 17 million pounds of fresh chicken
annually, as well as luncheon meats, poultry franks, bologna and corn
dogs. Revenues exceed $1.5 billion annually and Foster Farms Poultry
employs roughly 10,500 people.
Foster Farms Dairy churns out
butter, sour cream, ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, cottage cheese and
more. Based in Modesto, the dairy now processes 2.5 million gallons of
milk from 5,000 cows. Annual sales average $300 million and Foster Farms
Dairy employs about 650 people.
Birds of a feather
Foster
Farms expects to fill about 50 salaried positions and 1,000 general
labor employees this year, notes Maria Silveira, human resources
manager. With facilities in Turlock, Livingston, Fresno, Los Angeles and
locations in other states, “The company offers a lot of opportunities,”
she says.
To learn about open positions, candidates can contact
the company directly at 1000 Davis St. in Livingston; (209) 394-7901,
check with the Employment Development Department (EDD), refer to local
newspapers, or visit www.fosterfarms.com, www.monster.com or
www.centralvalleyjobs.com.
Silveira explains that some of the
toughest positions to fill are mechanics and electricians, which require
technical certification and experience, “Production work and general
labor are the other positions we hire the most,” she says.
Listings
change weekly. A sampling of recent open positions includes fleet
fueler-washer, warehouse worker, feed mill production, forklift
operator, journey level mechanic, truck driver, inventory clerk III,
human resources clerk III, logistics clerk II, field supervisor, plant
supervisor, senior accountant, claims examiner VI, senior programmer
analyst, security working supervisor and financial analysis manager.
In
applicants, “We look for individuals with integrity, strong work ethic
and dependability,” Silveira says. Level of education, training and
experience depend on the specific job. While no experience is necessary
for some positions, she points out that candidates interested in
administrative or managerial positions have an edge if they come in with
a college degree and two to five years’ experience in their particular
field.
Potential employees are invited to submit resumes for any
position, regardless of whether or not there is a position available.
Rather than staying cooped up in one place, internal employees are
welcome to transfer from one geographic location to another.
Benefits
include medical, dental, vision, prescription plan, life insurance,
pension plan, 401K, disability, flexible spending account and education
reimbursement.
Before starting employment, candidates must pass reference and background checks as well as a drug and alcohol screening.
“We
are a progressive company with competitive wages, excellent benefits
... and an open door policy all the way to the president and CEO,”
Silveira adds.
Cream of the crop
Open positions for
Foster Farms Dairy (www.fosterfarmsdairy.com) are posted at the
corporate offices at 1707 McHenry Avenue in Modesto and at EDD
(www.caljobs.ca.gov), 629 12th St., Modesto, (209) 576-6118.
Occasionally, specialty jobs are also advertised in the newspaper.
“Our
greatest demand right now is in maintenance,” says Denise George, human
resources administrator. “It’s a hard area to fill; there are more jobs
out there than people qualified to fill them.” Currently there are
openings for maintenance mechanics with at least five years of
experience in a maintenance environment. Electrical knowledge and
refrigeration are a plus.
Other potential jobs to watch for
include production, lab technician, shipping and receiving,
transportation, and warehouse and office staff. Some employees, such as
forklift operators, transportation and shipping and receiving workers
must be certified.
According to Larry Diggory, Modesto plant
operations manager, the company expects to hire about 200 people locally
this year. The hiring process includes an interview, basic math test,
drug test and physical exam.
“Foster Farms Dairy offers good pay,
good benefits, retirement and company longevity,” Diggory explains. The
company also offers several types of training and encourages
advancement.
To make the best impression, Diggory suggests that
interviewees highlight their work history, talents and attendance.
“Present yourself well,” Diggory says. “Be really positive about what
you have to offer so we can get to know you.”
Denise George
adds, “We’re a union employer with the best benefits you’ll ever see:
medical, dental and vision at 100 percent for employees and families.
That’s not something you see too much anymore.”
© HHWS for The Modesto Bee
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