Senior R&D Technologist

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

As a Senior Research & Development Technologist, you will lead in-plant experiments that drive innovation in packaging, equipment, product development, and process optimization. Your work will directly support plant operations, ensuring alignment with customer needs, quality standards, and evolving industry regulations.

With a deep understanding of processed meats, ingredient functionality, processing systems, packaging, and shelf life, you will apply your expertise to resolve plant quality challenges, provide technical support, and uphold customer and regulatory compliance. Your contributions will be pivotal in shaping product integrity, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving continuous improvement in manufacturing excellence.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Experimentation and Research: You will independently design, plan, and execute experiments, analyze test results, and report findings on assigned projects. You will conduct research in collaboration with operations on Food Safety and Product Development while maintaining relationships in the scientific community to stay informed on the latest advancements.

• Technical Support and Quality Assurance: You will provide technical assistance and guidance to plant QA and operational personnel on food quality, chemistry, and production issues. You will oversee process controls to ensure efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective production while conducting chemistry analysis on all test products to maintain compliance and optimize performance.

• Process and Cost Efficiency: You will work to enhance efficiencies in current production practices while optimizing ingredients and formulations to improve product performance. Additionally, you will evaluate products and production methods to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive operational improvements.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Food Science or related field and 5+ years of relevant plant manufacturing experience in the meat processing industry, or equivalent combination or education and experience required.

• Strong scientific knowledge of meat science principles as they relate to meat processing, including non-meat ingredients and their functionality, especially processed meats.

• Strong professional and academic networks in the fields of meat science and food science.

• Knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations as they relate to standards of identity,…