Talent Acquisition Specialist

About the Role

As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, you'll be vital to our recruitment strategy, finding innovative and bold ways to attract top talent. In this role, you'll partner closely with HR Managers and Hiring Managers to understand workforce needs and develop strategic approaches for building a pipeline of highly qualified candidates. You will play a key role in delivering an exceptional recruitment experience for both candidates and hiring managers, helping to define the future of talent at Smithfield Foods.

Responsibilities

• Manage the entire recruitment lifecycle for all functional areas across multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring efficient and effective hiring outcomes.
• Ensure a smooth and engaging candidate experience through timely communication, clear feedback, and professionalism throughout the process.
• Collaborate with department leaders and HR teams, offering expert guidance and consultation on recruitment strategies and delivering exceptional support throughout the hiring process.
• Leverage various sourcing strategies to find and attract top talent. Proactively build and maintain a pipeline of qualified candidates for current and future roles.
• Research labor market trends to strategically align sourcing strategy with current industry conditions.
• Gain an understanding of various roles, including those in a manufacturing environment, through job shadowing to improve hiring fit and reduce turnover.
• Continuously evaluate and refine recruitment processes to enhance efficiency, reduce time-to-hire, and improve the candidate experience.
• Use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage candidates and provide regular recruitment updates and metrics to leadership. Maintain accurate and up-to-date recruitment records to meet regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient in computer applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).
• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency, attention to detail, initiative, and sound judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leverages emotional intelligence to build and foster relationships both internally and externally.
• Excels in fast-paced, dynamic environments, maintaining a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented demeanor.
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive information.
• Willingness to travel to other locations (25% of the time), including short notice or overnight stays.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in recruiting across all levels and functional areas.
• Experience with passive candidate recruiting and utilizing creative sourcing strategies.
• Strong knowledge of Federal, State, and employment regulations and policies.
• Proficiency in using a server-based applicant tracking system (Workday preferred).
• Proven experience working under recruiting KPIs, consistently meeting or exceeding performance targets.
• Experience in handling administrative duties related to recruitment and compliance.
• Prior experience recruiting for government contractors, including familiarity with relevant regulations.
• Project management skills, with the ability to plan and manage multiple recruitment initiatives and deadlines simultaneously.