Specification Writer - Packaging

Smithfield Foods•Smithfield, VA

2d•$60,000 - $87,500

About The Position

This position coordinates, develops, writes, and centralizes product specifications and manufacturing procedures. It helps maintain the technical services website, PMDM, and product quality information in customer and company databases or websites. The role works with multiple departments and serves as a technical resource to plants on process and product specifications. It also supports Customer Service with complaints, nutrition requests, and data-sheet requests. The primary output is accurate and timely specification documentation that enables the company to manufacture products to customer requirements; the role also contributes to audit-compliance decisions. The position coordinates packaging specification data in Specright, including collecting and entering data, creating vendor templates, extracting information from technical data sheets, and coordinating data-collection and loading workflows. It analyzes data trends, supports expansion of the specification tool to packaging data for finished goods, and serves as a subject matter expert for specification application dashboards. It also completes customer packaging information packets, extracts packaging sustainability data for customer portals, and works with Smithfield’s proprietary specification workflows in PMDM.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least 2 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to travel 10% of the time, with additional travel during the initial training period.
Ability to work in and learn various computer software programs.
Working knowledge of database, spreadsheet, and word-processing software; SAP is required per the listed qualifications.
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 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the packaging industry.
Knowledge of SAP.

Responsibilities

Coordinate functionality and uniformity of packaging specifications in Specright to manage data across the supply chain.
Ensure specification data is collected and entered accurately and promptly, including creating vendor load templates and extracting data from vendor technical data sheets.
Coordinate workflows for collecting and loading specification data.
Analyze specification data fields for macro-level trends to support consolidation efforts.
Facilitate expansion of the specification tool to include packaging-specific finished-goods data, such as pallet arrangement data.
Serve as the subject matter expert for specification application dashboards.
Complete customer information packets related to packaging when requested.
Extract packaging sustainability information from specifications and enter it into customer portals.
Work with Smithfield proprietary specification workflows in the PMDM system.
Develop and maintain product specifications and manufacturing procedures, and help maintain technical-services and product-quality information in company and customer systems.
Interact with plants as a technical resource for process and product specifications.
Work with Customer Service on complaints, nutrition requests, and data-sheet requests.
Perform other duties as assigned.