Production Manager Trainee 1

Smithfield Foods; Tarboro (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Production Manager Trainee to learn and certify across farm departments, gaining hands-on experience in pig production processes, animal care, and safety policies. You will work under supervision to master hourly farm duties and contribute to continuous improvements.

The role emphasizes leadership development, readiness for a first managerial assignment, and adherence to environmental and biosecurity standards within a supportive, collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or related Agricultural field is required or you are a current student with graduation imminent.
• Ability to lead others and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to relocate for training and assignment.
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Able to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Must be able to work long hours (average 48-hour week).
• Comfort with performing animal husbandry tasks and maintaining biosecurity.
• Willingness to learn and adhere to company policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Learn, demonstrate capability, and become certified in farm department areas.
• Understand pig production processes, animal flow, farm health, and genetics.
• Perform and master hourly farm duties under supervision and gain certification.
• Develop and present reports on experiences and improvement opportunities.
• Comply with environmental, IPS, biosecurity, animal welfare, and EMS policies.
• Complete Leadership Certification and progress through the Manager Training program.

Skills

Leadership

Relocation willingness

Microsoft Office

Teamwork

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or related Agricultural field

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.

Your Opportunity

The Production Manager Trainee is responsible for learning, demonstrating knowledge and skills, and becoming certified in all aspects of company systems and the pork industry standards. This position functions under the supervision of the appropriate department leader while performing all duties and responsibilities as a learning/development process.

Core Responsibilities

• Learns, demonstrates capability/knowledge and becomes certified in all farm department areas including fulfilling all the requirements and responsibilities listed under the Breeding/Farrowing and Nursery/Finishing job description.
• Gains a solid understanding of and ability to implement company systems such as pig production processes, animal flow, farm health, genetics, husbandry, etc.
• Performs and masters all hourly jobs under supervision. Becomes certified in each job after showing competence and skill/understanding in each.
• Develops and prepares required reports on experiences encountered and addresses/shares opportunities for improvement.
• Responsible for complying with all environmental laws and procedures to which Smithfield LLC subscribes.
• Responsible for completion of Leadership Certification.
• Incumbent will be responsible for understanding and complying with company IPS, biosecurity, animal welfare, and EMS policies and procedures in the performance of their job duties.
• Reports all environmental, animal care, and biosecurity issues immediately to their supervisor.
• Performs the responsibilities as the acting HOD as needed by management.
• Be on call to work in emergency situations such as alarm calls, inclement weather, power outages, personnel shortages, and environmental emergencies.
• Responsible for progression in the Manager Training development program. Reports any issue that interferes with completion of development program to Human Resources.

The above 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.

Qualifications

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 a four-year accredited college or university in Animal Science or related Agricultural field of study, or currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current semester.
• Must be able to work an average 48-hour week, which can vary frequently.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work required as needed.
• Must shower in and out of farm facilities daily
• Ability to lead others
• Ability and willingness to relocate to complete training and assume first managerial assignment
• Must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft software
• 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.
• Must be supportive of the mission of raising swine for human consumption of high-quality pork products.
• Must be able to tolerate and willing to learn and perform the following tasks: euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, piglet processing, ear tagging for identification, taking blood samples and other procedures normal to animal husbandry.
• Must be able to operate a high-pressure washing system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

When basic technical certification is complete, will provide leadership and guidance to personnel within a department with Manager oversight.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasionally lift and