Operations Manager

Smithfield Foods; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Benefits package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Illinois is seeking an Operations Manager to lead shift production, drive quality and safety, and optimize resources across the plant. You will guide salaried and hourly leaders, monitor performance metrics, and implement strategic improvements to sustain Smithfield's high standards.

You will champion workplace safety and USDA health standards, manage budgets, reduce costs, and nurture a capable team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years' relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Experience using a variety of computer applications, including time-keeping systems, SAP, and Microsoft Office programs, to streamline processes and enhance productivity across the team.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and flexible hours as needed to meet operational demands and open to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead shift production operations and direct leaders to ensure smooth and efficient processes.
• Partner for layout design improvements, oversee automation projects, and manage costs to meet yields and efficiency goals.
• Lead safety and ergonomic programs, train staff in safety protocols, and reduce injuries and costs.
• Maintain high product quality and safety standards, ensure HACCP/SSOP compliance and CCP adherence.
• Ensure procedures are followed and updated for accuracy, stepping in when key personnel are unavailable.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Cost management

Food safety

HACCP

Safety programs

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

5+ years' relevant experience

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.

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. Apply Now!

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

Are you ready to take the lead and make a lasting impact in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? As an Operations Manager at Smithfield, you will be at the heart of our operations, driving production excellence while ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. From overseeing production and tracking performance metrics to making strategic adjustments, you'll play a key role in delivering the trusted quality that defines brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan's Famous.

This role is about more than managing processes-it's about creating impact. You will lead with purpose, championing workplace safety and USDA health standards while managing budgets, optimizing resources, and controlling costs to drive profitability. At the same time, you'll focus on empowering and inspiring your team, fostering a collaborative environment where employees are motivated to grow and succeed.

As the driving force behind your plant or assigned area, you will have the opportunity to innovate, solve challenges, and contribute to our legacy of excellence. If you're looking for an opportunity to lead, inspire, and shape the future of food production, this is your chance to join a company where your leadership and expertise will truly make a difference.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

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.

• Leadership and Team Management: You will oversee all shift production operations, directing salaried and hourly production group leaders to ensure smooth and efficient processes, ensuring that teams stay motivated, aligned, and focused on achieving operational goals. You will foster strong employee relations, making Smithfield an employer of choice by providing training, counseling, and recognition programs that support employee development and morale. Guiding your team leaders, you'll ensure best practices in safety, food safety, quality, process control, and personnel management.


• Operational Efficiency and Cost Management: You will partner internally for layout design improvements, oversee automation improvement projects, and implement cost-saving initiatives. By tracking labor, material, and indirect costs, you'll work to stay within budget while meeting or exceeding goals for yields and operational efficiencies. Additionally, you will continuously look for ways to improve processes and maintain a competitive edge.


• Safety and Ergonomics: You will take the lead in implementing and maintaining safety and ergonomic programs to create an injury-free workplace. You'll ensure employees are trained in safety protocols, observe and enforce safety rules and practices, identify and address hazards, and set measurable goals to reduce injuries and associated costs.


• Quality and Compliance: You will maintain high product quality and safety standards, ensuring all processes align with HACCP and SSOP protocols. It will be your responsibility to address product failures, foreign material issues, and ensure all staff are well-versed in CCPs and the HACCP plan to meet compliance requirements.


• Contingency and Accountability: You will ensure that all operating procedures are followed and updated when necessary for accuracy and efficiency. In the absence of key personnel, you will step in or delegate responsibilities to maintain seamless operations and meet all required goals.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

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 and 5+ years' relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.


• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.


• Experience using a variety of computer applications, including time-keeping systems, SAP, and Microsoft Office programs, to streamline processes and enhance productivity across the team.


• Ability to work nights, weekends, and flexible hours as needed to meet operational demands and open to travel up to 10% of the time.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• In-Depth Manufacturing Expertise: Bring a solid understanding of lean manufacturing processes, from optimizing yields and plant efficiencies to mastering operations procedures, ensuring smooth and productive plant operations.


• Strong Knowledge of Industry Standards: Well-versed in OSHA standards, USDA guidelines, and HACCP regulations, ensuring compliance and maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.


• Bilingual Advantage: Bilingual skills are a valuable asset, allowing you to communicate effectively in diverse, multicultural environments and enhance team collaboration.


• Dynamic Team Player: Thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments, working seamlessly with others while fostering a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented atmosphere. Committed to building strong, positive relationships that drive team success.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office and plant setting. 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 is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.


• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.


• Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.


• Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 - $150,000 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.

Relocation Package AvailableYes

EEO Information

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.