Plant Maintenance Supervisor

Smithfield Foods; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in North Carolina seeks a Maintenance Supervisor to lead maintenance teams across plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse, ensuring equipment reliability and peak production.

You will oversee preventive and predictive maintenance, schedule work with Production, monitor KPIs, and drive root-cause analysis to minimize downtime.

This role requires a bachelor's degree in engineering and 2+ years of related experience, strong communication, and the ability to lead & coach staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading teams or mentoring staff.
• Ability to lead problem solving for high-level process issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance teams in predictive and preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate maintenance in collaboration with Production.
• Develop and monitor maintenance KPIs and provide status reports.
• Ensure compliance with USDA regulations and maintain records.
• Provide crisis management and continuity planning.

Skills

Team leadership

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Office

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.

As the Maintenance Supervisor, you'll lead dynamic maintenance teams in the installation, repair, and preventive maintenance of all critical equipment across the plant, facilities, utilities, and powerhouse. You’ll be at the forefront of ensuring smooth operations, minimizing mechanical downtime, and maximizing production efficiency. By overseeing the maintenance of key processes, you’ll play a pivotal role in keeping product flows and production lines running at their peak, driving performance and contributing to the overall success of the facility. Your leadership ensures that every piece of equipment works seamlessly, keeping the plant in top shape for optimal production.

What You’ll Do

• Team Leadership & Supervision: You'll lead teams of Maintenance Mechanics and Electricians in predictive and preventative maintenance, as well as machine repairs. You'll also train employees on proper work methods and safety procedures. Supervise and support maintenance systems, processes, and documentation to ensure high performance.
• Maintenance Planning & Scheduling: You'll also ensure maintenance is scheduled timely and in collaboration with Production to address equipment and facility repairs. Develop and implement effective maintenance systems (Prevention and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, SOPs, Safety, etc.). Provide long-term solutions and day-to-day support for troubleshooting, problem analysis, and equipment failures. Performance Monitoring & Reporting Develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for tracking maintenance performance (e.g., supplier performance, contractor performance, equipment reliability, overall equipment effectiveness). Provide regular status reports to the maintenance management team.
• Compliance & Documentation: You will ensure maintenance tasks comply with USDA regulations. Maintain accurate records of maintenance work performed and inventory.
• Crisis Management & Continuity: In the absence of key personnel, assume responsibility for completing or delegating the completion of required tasks and responsibilities.
• 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 a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project.
• Able to lead problem solving and troubleshooting efforts associated with high-level process issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• May be required to work long hours and weekends.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Advanced technical skills in ammonia refrigeration, high pressure boiler, compressed air, mechanical and electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, inventory and scheduling software, preferred.
• Strong leadership skills (conflict resolution, facilitation, change management skills, decision making, empowerment and delegation), preferred.
• Good planning and priority setting skills.
• 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.
• Bilingual, preferred.

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.

• Provides leadership and guidance to employees in the Maintenance Department.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and assisting in providing appropriate resolutions.

IndSPR-M/E

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.