Director, Production Engineering

Smithfield Foods•Sioux Falls, SD

15h

About The Position

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. 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! THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING: The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you a creative, self-driven engineering professional who thrives in fast-paced environments? Do you excel at turning bold ideas into reality and collaborating with key stakeholders to drive business growth? If so, Smithfield Foods, one of the top 25 consumer packaged goods companies in the nation, is looking for someone like you to join our Engineering team! In this pivotal role, you’ll analyze data and craft strategic implementation plans to optimize production processes, identifying ways to boost efficiency and eliminate waste—directly impacting our bottom line. Your contributions will be instrumental in the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and other iconic brands, helping us meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers and consumers. 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. If you’re ready to shape the future of manufacturing and be part of an innovative, growth-driven company, Smithfield Foods is the place for you!

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.
Candidates with a Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field from an accredited four-year college or university and 8+ years of relevant experience will be considered qualified.
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

Engineering Leadership : You'll 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.
You'll also drive engineering performance to meet operational goals efficiently and cost-effectively.
Strategic Plan Development and Support : You'll 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.
Asset Utilization and Optimization : You’ll analyze asset age and utilization data and structure models on optimal replacement timing as well as methods to increase asset longevity.
Employee Development: 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.
You'll make sure to foster a culture of workplace safety, open communication, empowerment, and recognition.
People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.