Senior Regional Engineering Manager
About the Role
As a Senior Regional Engineering Manager at Smithfield, you’ll lead the development of transformative operational strategies and drive excellence across multiple locations. You’ll provide expert technical guidance, optimize Maintenance & Engineering (M&E) processes, and address key challenges to enhance plant performance. With a focus on closing skill gaps and fostering cross-functional relationships, you’ll empower your team to succeed. Your extensive expertise in fresh and packaged meat manufacturing equipment, maintenance, and engineering processes will be pivotal in sustaining high-performance operations. You’ll influence key decisions, lead lower-level engineers, collaborate with peers, and ensure plant management has the technical insights needed for peak operational success. Your strategic vision and leadership will transform the M&E landscape and drive continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Leadership & Performance Management:
- Lead engineering teams across multiple plants to ensure optimal performance, overseeing Project Engineering teams and projects.
- Manage direct reports from diverse engineering disciplines (e.g., Reliability, Strategic, Automation, Project Engineering) to maintain excellence.
- Ensure priority projects and capital/expense plans are effectively managed and resourced.
- Guide and participate in equipment comparison tests, FATs/SATs, master plans, and research new equipment opportunities.
- Oversee plant utilities and process discipline in collaboration with the Infrastructure Group.
- Strategic Oversight & Continuous Improvement:
- Manage an Annual Capital Budget of up to $50mm, aligning with strategic objectives and optimizing resources.
- Partner with Plant Operations and Maintenance leadership to identify opportunities and implement strategies for operational performance improvement.
- Lead the evaluation and identification of M&E process gaps across multiple plants, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop and maintain a culture of improvement within M&E departments, focusing on cost savings and process optimization.
- Refine and enhance the Engineering Excellence assessment process for continuous evolution and relevance.
- Technical & Operational Excellence:
- Provide technical leadership in developing and implementing production technologies and technical improvements.
- Ensure plant teams have the expertise to handle major outages and complex equipment issues.
- Drive clarity in engineering standards and resource scheduling, aligning performance with established processes.
- Develop and implement programs, policies, and practices for safe, high-quality food production meeting regulatory and company standards.
- Compliance & Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local engineering codes and regulations by keeping M&E programs, policies, and procedures updated.
- Lead cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and transfer knowledge, maintaining high standards for Quality, Food Safety, and Safety Systems.
- Employee Development & Team Leadership:
- Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing engineering teams, providing clear direction to achieve business objectives and innovative solutions.
- Partner with HR to deploy leadership development opportunities, drive performance management, and build a diverse, engaged workforce.
- Foster a culture focused on workplace safety, open communication, empowerment, and employee recognition.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited four-year college/university and 8+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
- Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
- Proficiency in Project Management, Contract Administration, and National codes/standards interpretation.
- Proficient in engineering economics, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office suite.
- Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time for collaboration across locations.
Skills
- Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry (preferred).
- Experience managing multi-million dollar projects with large scopes (preferred).
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented with strong relationship-building skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the team. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, including hiring, training, work assignment, and problem resolution.
Pay
The expected pay range for this position is $120,000 - $162,500 annually. Individual compensation will be determined based on factors such as role scope, location, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and market pay.
Relocation package available.