Senior Packaging Engineer

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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.

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As the Senior Packaging Engineer, you'll play a key role in analyzing data and drafting implementation plans to optimize our production processes. Your mission is to maximize efficiencies by eliminating waste and reducing operating costs, directly impacting our bottom line. You'll be instrumental in the manufacturing of our renowned brands, including Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous, ensuring we meet the needs of our customers and consumers.

In this role, you'll interface with our operating facilities and suppliers to develop and implement best practices for packaging equipment and materials. Your expertise will help us maintain high standards and innovate in our packaging processes.

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.

• Strategy and Execution: You will be responsible for designing and executing packaging technology strategies from concept to commercialization, including growth initiatives, quality improvements, productivity/cost-reduction activities, troubleshooting activities, and general packaging support, as needed. You will conduct trials to ensure efficient and effective execution.

• Relationship Building: You will build and maintain relationships with internal and external resources in order to cost-effectively implement engineering and equipment initiatives. You will routinely communicate with members of Operations, Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, Engineering and Quality Assurance to report progress on projects and receive feedback to develop product that meet expectations.

• Best Practices and Innovation: You will leverage best practices and capitalize on technologies with cross-functional, cross-site business applications. You will promote innovative thinking to generate unique and value-added ideas for existing or new products.

• Equipment and Specifications: You will develop and maintain equipment specifications to determine overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) on packaging equipment.

• Mentorship: You will act as a lead by training, mentoring, and providing guidance to less experienced packaging engineers.

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 Engineering or related field and 5+ years related experience in process and packaging equipment required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations depending on the initiative being executed.

• Broad knowledge of packaging materials, equipment and manufacturing processes including plant layouts.

• Experience in the food industry, preferred.

• General knowledge of food science, processing and manufacturing, preferred.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Strong time management, project management, organizational skills and the ability to work independently.

• Possesses good research and development capabilities, including experimental design, familiarity with packaging testing methodology and experience in commercialization.

• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

• Ability to understand and manipulate both packaging and pallet specifications.

• Mobility: Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds. In more physically demanding roles, this weight may go up to 70 pounds.

• Standing: You may need to stand for up to eight hours each day, especially during site visits or meetings.

• Weather Conditions: Depending on the job context, you might work in various weather conditions, including exposure to outdoor elements.

• Terrain: If you visit project sites, you may encounter uneven terrain, so mobility and adaptability are essential.

The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 annually.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. 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.

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

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 veterans 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 757-357-1595.