Packaging Specifications Lead — Data Governance & Compliance

Smithfield Foods

Smithfield (VA)

On-site

USD 105,000 - 140,000

Full time

7 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Manager - Packaging Specifications to lead packaging specification processes, govern data, and provide technical guidance within Packaging Engineering. This role supervises a team and coordinates with FSQA, Operations, Sales, Sustainability, Sourcing, and external customers to ensure alignment across internal systems and customer portals.

The role ensures packaging meets customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and sustainability commitments while supporting

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Package Engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership, required.
Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and testing.
Experience with specification and data systems (e.g., Specright, SAP, PMDM).
Familiarity with customer and regulatory systems (e.g., ehalo, CAA, EPR reporting).
Understanding of sustainability reporting and packaging compliance requirements.
Ability to interpret and manage technical documentation, supplier data, and regulatory disclosures.
Proven ability to lead teams and cross-functional initiatives.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage competing priorities.
Corporate environment with frequent interaction with manufacturing facilities.
< 25% travel as needed to support plant trials, audits, and implementation activities.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management - Lead, develop, and mentor packaging specification writers and/or engineers. Establish priorities, assign work, and ensure timely execution of specification deliverables. Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. Manage performance, training, and career development of team members.
Packaging Specification Management - Own and govern packaging specification systems across the product lifecycle. Ensure accurate creation, validation, and maintenance of packaging specifications, including materials, composition, and formats. Standardize specification processes, templates, and data structures across the organization. Oversee vendor data collection and validation to ensure completeness and accuracy. Maintain packaging engineering libraries.
Customer & Regulatory Compliance - Serve as subject matter expert for customer specification portals and data systems. Ensure compliance with customer packaging requirements, sustainability disclosures, and technical documentation. Lead data readiness for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other regulatory reporting programs. Guide adherence to regulatory requirements and internal governance. Support audit readiness and compliance with internal and external standards.
Packaging Engineering & Technical Integration - Apply packaging engineering principles to ensure specifications reflect functional, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs. Provide leadership across packaging development projects from concept to commercialization. Partner with R&D, Engineering, FSQA and Operations to validate packaging through plant trials and testing.
Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with FSQA, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Sourcing, and Sustainability to align packaging specifications with business needs. Support customer-facing teams with accurate packaging and product data for commercialization and ongoing business. Act as a central resource for packaging-related technical inquiries and issue resolution.
Continuous Improvement & Risk Management - Identify and implement process improvements to enhance data integrity, system efficiency, and cycle times. Mitigate financial and reputational risks associated with inaccurate or incomplete specifications. Drive initiatives that improve packaging sustainability, cost efficiency, and operational performance.