Director, Production Engineering

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A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!

Your Opportunity

As part of our Engineering team, you would analyze data and draft implementation plans for production process optimization. Seeking out ways to maximize efficiencies by eliminating waste of valuable resources that directly impact our overall operating costs. You are instrumental to the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and our other product brands, to meet the needs of our customers and consumers.

The Director of Production Engineering manages and directs engineering for the company in an assigned functional area and is responsible for the efficient operations of the engineering resources for the organization. The key focus of this position is to collaboratively achieve world class operational and engineering performance in our plants; through business partnerships, strategic planning, problem resolution, talent development, and capital budget management.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Directly responsible for leadership of engineering resources across the organization and in assigned plants to ensure optimal plant performance.
• Drives a collaborative relationship with cross-functional leadership (Operations, Business Management, Innovation, HR, FSQA, Environmental, Safety, PSM, CI, etc.) to ensure organizational goals are achieved.
• Provides leadership to Central Engineering resources, Plant Engineering leadership teams, and front-line maintenance talent in pursuit of operational and engineering goals.
• Develops and monitors capital budget and Maintenance budget. Manages the capital planning process and Capital and Expense projects.
• Drives Engineering performance in assigned functional area(s) to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective achievement of performance goals.
• Liaises with Operations and Maintenance leadership to identify areas of opportunity and strategies to improve operational performance.
• Provides clarity to engineering teams in the areas of process, schedule, and priorities.
• Develops and implements strategic, long, and short-term plans to maintain high standards of operations.
• Develops, implements, and maintains engineering policies and standards with collaboration and input from the engineering staff.

Employee Development

• Leads teams of highly productive and motivated Engineers and provides them with leadership and direction to design, develop, and execute business objectives.
• Partners with Human Resources to deploy leadership development opportunities and drive performance management.
• Drives a culture that emphasizes workplace safety, a people first environment, open communication, and empowerment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, Business or related field and 10+ years of experience in Engineering management; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development is required.
• Prior experience as a Plant Engineer or similar role, required.
• Knowledge of different pork products and the Meat Industry, preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word, and SAP.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
• High level of written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Ability to communicate technical ideas to a non-technical audience effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills, required.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Must be able to travel a minimum of 50% of the time.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to indirect employees throughout the organization.
• Responsibilities may include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Corporate working environment.
• Noise level in the work environment is moderate.
• When located in the plant, the environment will include wet or humid conditions, extreme cold and heat, and exposure to fumes or airborne particles.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

EEO/AA Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, or status as a disabled individual.