Production Scheduler

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Be Well programs

Guild tuition assistance

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Production Scheduler/Planner to manage daily production schedules from the weekly supply plan, coordinating with multiple teams to ensure on-time delivery and product quality.

The role emphasizes inventory control, material management, and seamless communication across departments to uphold operational excellence in a fast-paced plant environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college and 2+ years relevant work experience.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical skills with the ability to forecast and maintain accuracy in fast-paced environments.
• Experience with SAP Production Planning, Material Management and Sales Distribution is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create daily production schedules from the weekly supply plan, optimizing labor efficiency and product requirements.
• Collaborate across Accounting, Technical Services, R&D, Supply Planning and Business Management.
• Manage raw material availability, inventory rotation, transfers and finished goods.
• Foster clear communication across teams to ensure smooth workflows and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Flexibility/work ethic

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Order processing software

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. You are the driving force behind the plant’s production flow, ensuring every product is crafted with precision, speed, and excellence. With your strategic mindset and eye for detail, you create dynamic production schedules that seamlessly adapt to shifting priorities and demands. You take full control of raw material orders, balancing inventory to keep operations running smoothly while minimizing waste. By staying ahead of potential roadblocks, you quickly identify solutions to keep production on track and efficient. When it’s time to make adjustments, you take charge, leading the way with clear communication to production teams and ensuring the process stays flawless. Your role is at the heart of operational excellence, delivering outstanding results and driving success every day.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Production Scheduling & Execution: You will create daily production schedules from the weekly supply plan, ensuring they align with product requirements, optimize labor efficiency, and leverage SAP for accuracy.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will work closely with teams across Accounting, Technical Services, R&D, Supply Planning, and Business Management to drive new product development and seamless implementation.
• Inventory & Material Management: You will manage raw material availability, inventory rotation, stock transfers, and finished goods to keep operations efficient and products meeting quality standards.
• Communication & Customer Focus: You will foster clear communication across teams to ensure smooth workflows, precise production, and outstanding customer satisfaction.

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 and 2+ years relevant work experience; or a combination of education and experience, required.

• Analytical & Organizational Expertise: Strong analytical, organizational, and technical skills, with the ability to forecast, act quickly, and maintain accuracy in fast-paced environments.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT

• Industry Experience & Technical Skills: Preferred experience in the meat or food industry, with excellent working knowledge of SAP (Production Planning, Material Management, and Sales Distribution) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), as well as order processing software.
• Communication Skills: Effective written and verbal communication skills to collaborate and share information across teams.
• Flexibility & Work Ethic: Ability to work long hours and weekends when necessary, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

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. 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 loud when in the production area. Must be able to work in cramped spaces and in poor lighting and ventilation. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance, vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear.

Relocation Package Available

No EEO Information

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.

Benefits

• 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.

Company Information

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.