Production Manager Trainee

Smithfield Foods•Stoney Creek, VA

About The Position

The Production Manager Trainee learns, demonstrates knowledge and skills, and becomes certified in company systems and pork-industry standards. The trainee works under the supervision of the appropriate department leader while completing duties as part of a learning and development process. The role involves training across farm departments and hourly jobs, progressing through the Manager Training development program, and preparing for a first managerial assignment. Once basic technical certification is complete, the trainee provides leadership and guidance to department personnel with oversight from a manager.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Animal Science or a related Agricultural field, or current college enrollment with anticipated graduation by the end of the current semester.
Able to work an average 48-hour week, which may vary frequently.
Available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
Must shower in and out of farm facilities daily.
Ability to lead others.
Willing and able to relocate to complete training and assume the first managerial assignment.
Computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft software.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented approach to building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Supportive of raising swine for human consumption and high-quality pork products.
Able and willing to learn and perform euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, piglet processing, ear tagging, blood sampling, and other normal animal husbandry procedures.
Able to operate a high-pressure washing system.
Able to perform the essential functions, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.
Vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Frequently stand, walk, handle or feel with hands, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear.
Able to tolerate blood, animal dander, manure, dust, odors, and frequently noisy conditions.

Responsibilities

Learn, demonstrate capability and knowledge, and become certified in all farm department areas, including the requirements and responsibilities described for Breeding/Farrowing and Nursery/Finishing roles.
Develop an understanding of and ability to implement company systems involving pig production processes, animal flow, farm health, genetics, and husbandry.
Perform and master hourly jobs under supervision, earning certification in each after demonstrating competence and understanding.
Prepare required reports on experiences and identify and share opportunities for improvement.
Comply with applicable environmental laws and procedures.
Complete Leadership Certification.
Understand and comply with company IPS, biosecurity, animal welfare, and EMS policies and procedures while performing job duties.
Immediately report environmental, animal care, and biosecurity issues to a supervisor.
Perform acting HOD responsibilities as needed by management.
Be available for emergency work, including alarm calls, inclement weather, power outages, personnel shortages, and environmental emergencies.
Progress through the Manager Training development program and report to Human Resources any issue that interferes with completing it.
After basic technical certification, provide leadership and guidance to department personnel with Manager oversight.
Perform other duties as assigned.