EHS Specialist

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Wilson (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Be Well programs

Guild tuition assistance

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking an EHS Specialist to join its Environmental, Health, and Safety team in a production environment. You will ensure regulatory and internal compliance, deliver training, and drive initiatives aligned with Smithfield’s EMS and SIPs.

The role focuses on data-driven improvement, incident investigation support, and maintaining safety and environmental programs across the site. Strong communication and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, health and safety or related field required.
• 2+ years of relevant EHS experience and ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Willingness to work long hours, weekends, and on-call as needed.
• Occasional travel to collaborate with others.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with regulations and company standards; report to location management.
• Maintain Process Safety Management/Risk Management Plan for ammonia refrigeration.
• Support KPI tracking and environmental permit applications; assist with audits and ISO programs.
• Deliver EHS training to production employees and management; maintain training records.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Training delivery

KPI tracking

ISO standards

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in environmental, health and safety or related field

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

Join our dynamic Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) team as an EHS Specialist, where you will play a key role in managing and enhancing our robust EHS systems.

You will be instrumental in ensuring compliance, delivering training, and implementing best practices at every level of our organization. Your role involves driving initiatives that not only meet but exceed regulatory standards and align with Smithfield’s Injury Prevention System (SIPS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) requirements. If you are passionate about creating a safe and compliant work environment, this position is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Compliance and Reporting:

You will assist the EHS team in ensuring compliance with regulations and company standards, and reporting on EHS matters to location management as needed. You will assist with maintaining Process Safety Management/Risk Management Plan requirements for the ammonia refrigeration system, follow Smithfield’s Site Security Plan, and ensure company policies are adhered to. You will support the applications for environmental permits and determine compliance with various permits and plans.

Data Management and Key Performance Indicators Tracking:

You are responsible for helping ensure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are tracked appropriately. You will also assist with employee exposure surveys throughout the location and ensure completion as requested.

Program and System Support:

You will support the management of various safety and environmental programs, including safety operational controls, asbestos operations, Risk Management Plans, emergency response, hazardous waste, and air compliance. You will help maintain Smithfield’s Injury Prevention System (SIPs) and Environmental Management System (EMS), aid in internal audits, and provide support for ISO certification and process safety teams. You are also responsible to help ensure adherence to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements.

Training and Development:

You will help with training of production employees and management staff as required by OSHA, environmental permits, and environmental/emergency response regulatory programs, and company standards. You will be responsible for ensuring training is completed in a timely manner.

Incident and Investigation Support:

In this role, you will review and monitor all incident investigation reports to completion, including tracking and closure of identified action items and will participate in claim reviews as requested.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in environmental, health and safety or related field and 2+ years relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experienced at handling multiple assignments simultaneously, setting goals, and completing commitments on schedule.
• Accustomed to working long hours, weekends, and remaining in an on-call status when required.
• Occasional travel involved to collaborate with others.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Good decision maker and ability to perform in stressful situations.
• Demonstrated computer skills, particularly in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and company software packages.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedures in English
• Basic math skills to manage Key Performance Indicators.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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. Noise level in the work environment requires hearing protection. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Indoor and outdoor work environments. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; walk; use stairs, some ladder climbing, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear. Work alternate shifts and some weekends. Ability to deliver information to diverse audiences. Fundamental mathematical skills for managing Key Performance Indicators. Embody respect, approachability, and a team-oriented demeanor for fostering robust working relationships and cultivating a positive work environment. Thrive in collaborating in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

IndSPR-Ops Relocation Package Available

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.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others.

We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities.

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future.
• We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.