Principal Scientist, Technical Services

When you join Smithfield, you become part of 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.

About the role

This leadership role in technical services will focus on product and process improvements to deliver operational excellence across our manufacturing platforms. Responsibilities include providing technical support to business partners, direct interaction with customers, leveraging vendors, and mentorship.

Responsibilities

• Primary focus will be within the plants to achieve operational excellence and continuous improvements.
• Travel up to 80% of the time to meet with business partners.
• Work with cross-functional groups to identify operational needs pertaining to operational excellence: safety, cost, quality, customer service, production efficiencies, etc.
• Develop and execute research plans by conducting production-scale tests at manufacturing plants to achieve specific goals and objectives.
• Proactively work to prevent process or product failures.
• Work within our operational framework of On the Job Trainers (OJT) to establish job aids and training documents.
• Develop plans within our operational framework of MIQ to establish process controls.
• Design and conduct experiments, analyze data, write protocols and summaries, and present findings and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Regularly present progress updates to members of Technical Services, Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Quality Assurance.
• Communicate with external parties such as customers, vendors, and third parties.
• Drive organizational capability by developing, nurturing, leading, and mentoring junior team members.
• Help identify emerging leaders, drive investments in new talent, and ensure high levels of employee engagement across the group.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest advances in food science and technology.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to individuals within the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Food Science, Meat Science, or related field and 12+ years of experience in the food industry; preference towards meat; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in a position of leadership to include working in teams and mentorship.
• Solid understanding of end-to-end processes of meat packing to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrate organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills to manage and deliver projects on time.
• Work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• On a regular basis, required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to stoop and crouch under equipment.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds or more in some instances.
• The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $140,000 - $182,500 annually. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions, and budget considerations.

Benefits

At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation package available.