Packaging Specifications Manager

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Smithfield (VA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Manager - Packaging Specifications to lead the packaging specification processes and data governance.

You will supervise a team, own specification systems (Specright, SAP, SharePoint), and align with customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements across the product lifecycle. This role partners with R&D, Engineering, FSQA, Operations, Sales and Sustainability to validate packaging through plant trials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering or related field with 5+ years of experience.
• 2+ years of team management or project leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor packaging specification writers/engineers; set priorities and ensure on-time delivery.
• Own and govern packaging specification systems across the product lifecycle; standardize processes and data structures.
• Ensure compliance with customer packaging requirements, regulatory disclosures, and sustainability commitments.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Project management

Communication

Analytical mindset

Regulatory knowledge

Data governance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering

Tools

Specright

SAP

PMDM

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.

THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Manager - Packaging Specifications is responsible for leading packaging specification processes and data governance while providing direct supervision and technical guidance within Packaging Engineering. This role serves as the subject matter expert for packaging specifications and ensures alignment with customer, regulatory, and sustainability requirements. This role serves as the technical authority for packaging specifications and data, combining packaging engineering expertise with specification management and people leadership. The position ensures packaging meets customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and sustainability commitments while supporting new product development, commercialization, and cost optimization initiatives. The PE Spec Manager acts as a key liaison between Packaging Engineering, FSQA, Operations, Sales, Sustainability, Sourcing, and external customers, ensuring alignment across internal systems and customer portals (e.g., e‑halo) and regulatory programs (e.g., EPR, CAA).

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• 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 (e.g., Specright, SAP, SharePoint) 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 (e.g., dielines, pallet patterns, BOM structures).
• Customer & Regulatory Compliance – Serve as subject matter expert for customer specification portals (e.g., e‑halo) 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 (e.g., material composition, PFAS/BPA disclosures) 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. Ensure alignment between specification data and physical packaging design/performance.
• 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.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

• 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., e‑halo, 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.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Experience working with pilot plant or manufacturing equipment.

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. Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; sit; walk; use hands handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear. Ability to stand and work in a production environment (cold and hot) all day.

The expected pay range for this position is $105,000 - $140,000 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 Available Yes

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.

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.

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.

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

Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high‑quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.