Plant Engineer - Small

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Be Well programs

Guild tuition assistance

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a senior Engineering leader to head maintenance and engineering in a fast-paced plant. You will drive capital projects, implement TPM, and advance maintenance systems to maximize throughput while ensuring safety and food safety standards.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, develop long-term technology initiatives, and optimize equipment reliability. Strong leadership, planning, and collaboration skills are essential for this pivotal role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field and 8+ years’ relevant experience.
• 2+ years of team management or project leadership experience.
• Strong leadership, planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Own capital project development from concept to completion; manage scope, budget and schedules.
• Lead maintenance systems including preventive/predictive maintenance and TPM.
• Manage maintenance staff, enforce safety policies, and drive a safety-first culture.
• Provide short-term fixes and long-term solutions to operating challenges.
• Develop and track KPIs for maintenance performance and plant efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical reasoning

Team management

PLC programming

Instrumentation

Excel

Word

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Engineering-related field

Tools

PLCs

Instrumentation

Mechanical engineering

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

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

Join our dynamic Engineering team and become a key player in driving innovation and efficiency! You’ll dive into data analysis and craft implementation plans that optimize production processes, ensuring we maximize resources and minimize waste-directly impacting our operating costs. Your contributions will power the manufacturing of iconic brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and more, helping us meet the demands of customers and consumers alike.

As the leader of the maintenance and engineering department in a fast-paced plant, you'll be at the forefront of maintaining top-tier building and equipment performance. By reducing mechanical downtime and ensuring seamless product flow, you’ll keep our production lines running at peak efficiency. You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventative and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights as part of a High Performing Manufacturing Organization. Secondly as the leader of engineering activities you will ensure our facilities remain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing process, developing and executing highly innovative technology projects. In this role, you won’t just manage maintenance—you’ll elevate it to new levels of efficiency and innovation!

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. Engineering Project Development: Take ownership of capital projects from concept to completion! You’ll manage and schedule all project elements to ensure minimal disruption to plant operations, delivering projects on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards. Your leadership will bring exciting new developments to life and enhance plant capabilities.

Maintenance Systems: Lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems that keep our plant operating at peak performance. You'll be the driving force behind Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high-impact strategies, ensuring optimal scheduling that maximizes task completion with minimal downtime. Your efforts will fuel greater plant efficiency, reduce disruptions, and create a more seamless, productive operation.

Maintenance Staff and Safety: As a leader, you’ll inspire and manage the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and guiding work assignments. Your ability to organize, plan, and follow through ensures work is completed efficiently and safely. By championing a safety-first culture and enforcing company policies, you’ll keep the team aligned with Smithfield’s goals while maintaining full compliance with federal and state regulations.

Solutions: Become the ultimate problem solver by providing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions to everyday operational challenges. Whether troubleshooting, conducting problem analysis, or addressing equipment failures, you’ll ensure the smooth daily operation of the plant with minimal recurring issues. Your proactive approach will keep production lines humming and help us stay ahead of potential obstacles.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Drive continuous improvement by developing and tracking Key Performance Indicators that measure the success of the maintenance function. From equipment reliability to supplier performance and overall equipment effectiveness, your insights will be crucial for maintaining peak performance across all areas of the plant.

Leadership and Flexibility: When key personnel are absent, you’ll step in seamlessly, ensuring that all tasks are completed or delegated appropriately. Your leadership ensures that all responsibilities are handled with precision, guaranteeing smooth and uninterrupted plant operations.

People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

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 in Engineering or related field and 8+ 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 High level of leadership skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability. Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical/electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment. Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc. Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results. Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word. Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills required. May be required to work long hours and weekends.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT

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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

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 handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

IndSPR-M/E 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.

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. 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.