Director, Engineering

Smithfield Foods • Remote, MO, MO

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

Smithfield Foods is seeking a creative, self-driven engineering professional to join their Engineering team. In this role, you will analyze data and craft strategic implementation plans to optimize production processes, identifying ways to boost efficiency and eliminate waste. Your contributions will be instrumental in the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and other iconic brands. As Director, Engineering, you will lead and direct engineering operations across a key functional area, ensuring the efficient use of engineering resources to achieve world-class performance in our plants. You’ll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives, resolve complex challenges, and ensure top-tier execution in everything from maintenance to capital budget management. Your leadership will be critical in building, developing, and managing a high-performing team capable of delivering operational excellence and executing strategies that elevate the business to new heights.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, Business or related field and 10+ years of relevant experience in Engineering management; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 5+ years of experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
• Prior experience in an engineer role required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and SAP.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• 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
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

Nice To Haves

• Licensure as a Professional Engineer, preferred
• Knowledge of different pork products and the Meat Industry, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering teams in various Engineering disciplines across plants to ensure optimal performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, HR, Safety, etc.) to achieve company goals.
• Oversee and manage Capital and Maintenance budgets and project planning.
• Drive engineering performance to meet operational goals efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Create and implement short- and long-term operational plans to meet customer and quality standards.
• Identify and implement strategies to improve operational performance with internal and external resources.
• Provide clear direction on processes, schedules, and priorities for engineering teams.
• Develop and enforce best practices for engineering development.
• Ensure facilities comply with internal and external engineering standards and regulations.
• Analyze asset age and utilization data and structure models on optimal replacement timing as well as methods to increase asset longevity.
• Lead and motivate engineering teams to achieve business objectives and deliver solutions on time and on budget.
• Partner with HR to develop leadership programs, manage performance, and build a diverse, high-performing workforce.
• Foster a culture of workplace safety, open communication, empowerment, and recognition.
• Drive a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Benefits

• Robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs
• Medical plans with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• Support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Comprehensive training and professional development programs
• LinkedIn Learning access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training
• Tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs
• Leadership development initiatives
• Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director