Pork Quality Technologist

Smithfield Foods • Clinton, NC

17d • Onsite

About The Position

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Pork Quality Technologist to play a key role in optimizing carcass profitability through in-plant genetic trials and tests. In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your expertise in research to enhance pork quality and drive efficiency. This role offers a chance to make a significant impact while working in a dynamic and forward-thinking environment. The Pork Quality Technologist will be responsible for managing and conducting in-plant genetic trials and tests designed to assess meat quality, improve carcass composition and value, and manage projects to optimize carcass profitability. This will be done by coordinating tests and collecting detailed information for genetic improvement of the commercial test herd (CTH) and research animals from Smithfield Premium Genetics and Smithfield Live Animal Production as well as having a significant role with other projects at Smithfield processing facilities. This will also include laboratory tests and data collection for the evaluation of fat quality of animals supplied across all harvest locations of Smithfield Foods as well as research projects that identify characteristics of color, marbling, firmness, tenderness, purge and cooking loss of product produced by Smithfield Foods and all major competitors. The incumbent will share responsibilities of coordinating all research projects as part of the Pork Quality Team with relation to plant personnel and management, suppliers of research animals, research teams assisting with evaluations, plant procurement, and Pork Quality Team members. The incumbent will also be responsible for data management and reporting responsibilities with the Pork Quality Team Management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be proficient with a computer and have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and OneDrive.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Must have strong organizational and communication skills in order to manage multiple projects at one time.
• Candidate must be a stickler for details, have the ability to remain flexible and must be a team player.
• Must have excellent work ethic and be willing to work in a variety of plant environments.
• Occasional travel as required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Meat or livestock judging team experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent math and computer skills.
• Detail-oriented with effective planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated multi-tasking and project management skills.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Collect and compile necessary information to address test results.
• Maintain a tracking system for testing and data warehousing.
• Identify and test new technologies that can add value to commodity pork products.
• Evaluate online tools and new technologies to differentiate or assess product quality.
• Maintain and enhance competitive benchmarking programs.
• Manage a competitive benchmarking database for genetic testing and retail product evaluations.
• Identify the economic impact of carcass defects.
• Develop procedures to reduce the occurrence of carcass defects.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future.
• We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

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