Director, Production Engineering

Smithfield Foods, a leading American food company, is seeking a Director, Engineering to lead and direct engineering operations across key functional areas, ensuring efficient use of engineering resources and achieving world‑class performance in our plants.

• Lead engineering teams in various disciplines across plants to ensure optimal performance, collaborating with Operations, HR, Safety, and other cross‑functional teams to achieve company goals. Oversee and manage capital and maintenance budgets and project planning, driving engineering performance to meet operational goals efficiently and cost‑effectively.
• Create and implement short‑ and long‑term operational plans to meet customer and quality standards, identifying and implementing strategies to improve operational performance with internal and external resources. Provide clear direction on processes, schedules, and priorities for engineering teams, develop and enforce best practices for engineering development, and ensure compliance with internal and external engineering standards and regulations.
• Analyze asset age and utilization data, structuring models on optimal replacement timing and methods to increase asset longevity.
• Lead and motivate engineering teams to achieve business objectives and deliver solutions on time and on budget. Partner with HR to develop leadership programs, manage performance, and build a diverse, high‑performing workforce, fostering a culture of workplace safety, open communication, empowerment, and recognition.
• Drive a positive employee experience through leadership focused on employee development and coaching.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in Engineering, Business or related field and 10+ years of relevant experience in Engineering management; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field and 8+ years of relevant experience will be considered qualified.
• 5+ years of experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
• Prior experience in an engineering role, required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and SAP.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• High level of written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Ability to communicate technical ideas to a non‑technical audience effectively.
• Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations (50% of the time).

• Licensure as a Professional Engineer, preferred.
• Knowledge of different pork products and the Meat Industry, preferred.

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions, extreme cold and heat, working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.
• Capable of sitting for extended periods of time when working in the office.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Able to travel as needed.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at .

Relocation Package Available:
Yes