Specification Writer - Packaging

Smithfield Foods•Smithfield, VA

13h

About The Position

The Specification Writer - Packaging coordinates, develops, writes, and centralizes product specifications and manufacturing procedures. The role helps maintain the technical services website, PMDM, and product quality information in customer and company databases and websites. It works with multiple departments and serves as a technical resource to plants on process and product specifications. The position also supports Customer Service with complaints, nutrition inquiries, and data sheet requests. Its primary output is specification documentation used across the company to make products accurately to customer requirements; inaccurate or untimely work can create significant financial risk. The role also supports audit-compliance decision-making. For packaging specifications, the position coordinates the functionality and uniformity of specifications in Specright, ensures specification data is collected and entered on time, creates vendor data-collection templates, extracts information from vendor technical data sheets, and coordinates data-collection and loading workflows. It analyzes field data for macro trends to support consolidation and helps expand the specification tool to packaging-related finished-goods data, such as pallet arrangement. It is also the subject matter expert for specification application dashboards. The position completes packaging-specific customer information packets when requested and extracts specification data for entry into customer portals for packaging sustainability reporting. The role may perform other duties as assigned. The work is primarily in a corporate environment with moderate noise. When at a plant, conditions may be wet, damp, cold, slippery, loud, and include moving and vibrating parts. The role may require travel of 10% of the time, with additional travel during initial training. It occasionally requires lifting or moving up to 25 pounds and frequently requires sitting, using hands to handle or feel, and talking or hearing.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to work in and learn various computer software programs.
Working knowledge of database software, spreadsheet software, and word-processing software.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Good mathematical skills.
Good decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to communicate effectively and respond to common requests about packaging and processes.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to complete required applicable forms in English, including reading and writing in English.
Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
Ability to travel 10% of the time, with additional travel during the initial training period.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the packaging industry.
Knowledge of SAP.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, develop, write, and centralize product specifications and manufacturing procedures.
Help maintain the technical services website, PMDM, and product quality information in customer and company databases or websites.
Serve as a technical resource to plants on process and product specifications.
Support Customer Service with complaints, nutrition inquiries, and data sheet requests.
Coordinate the functionality and uniformity of packaging specifications in Specright.
Ensure packaging specification data is collected and entered in a timely manner.
Create vendor load templates and extract data from vendor technical data sheets.
Coordinate data-collection and data-loading workflows.
Analyze specification data fields for macro trends that can support consolidation efforts.
Facilitate expansion of the specification tool to packaging-specific finished-goods data, such as pallet arrangement data.
Serve as the subject matter expert for specification application dashboards.
Complete packaging-specific customer information packets when requested.
Extract specification data and enter it into customer portals for packaging sustainability reporting.
Support audit-compliance decision-making and perform other duties as assigned.