Project Controller

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. in Sioux Falls is seeking a finance and accounting lead for a new plant build.

You will provide financial discipline, controls, and insights to ensure every dollar invested is tracked and aligned with project scope, contractual commitments, and business objectives throughout the lifecycle. You will oversee budgets, forecasts, capital asset accounting, purchase activity, and project closeout, while partnering with engineering, procurement, operations, vendors, and finance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field and 5+ years of professional accounting experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Strong project accounting, capital project controls, forecasting, variance analysis, accrual, commitment tracking, and cash-flow management skills.
• Experience validating purchase orders, receipts, invoices, vendors, contracts, quotes, change orders, assets, bills of lading, and spare parts documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain audit-ready records for assets, invoices, receipts, inventory, and project closeout.
• Proficient with SAP, purchasing, fixed asset, invoice workflow, reporting, Microsoft Office, Excel, and financial modeling tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work with finance, procurement, operations, engineering, construction teams, vendors, leadership, and auditors.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership & Project Governance - Lead financial oversight of the project, including budgets, forecasts, commitments, change orders, and cost performance from kickoff through closeout.
• Capital Assets & Procurement Controls - Ensure project spending, contracts, invoices, and purchase activity are accurate, properly supported, and aligned with approved scope and budgets.
• Compliance, Risk & Internal Controls - Maintain strong financial controls, audit readiness, contract compliance, and risk management processes.
• Strategic Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement - Partner with engineering, construction, procurement, operations, vendors, and finance teams to drive successful project execution.
• People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Skills

Financial leadership

Team management

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

5+ years accounting experience

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Excel

Financial modeling tools

Invoice workflow

Job description

When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that is 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. Join a transformational project that will shape the future of our operations. As the finance and accounting lead for a new plant build, this role provides the financial discipline, controls, and insights necessary to successfully execute a significant capital investment. Responsible for project controls, procurement validation, asset accountability, invoice review, and cash flow forecasting, the role ensures every dollar invested is accurately tracked, properly supported, and aligned with project scope, contractual commitments, and business objectives throughout the project lifecycle.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Financial Leadership & Project Governance - Lead financial oversight of the project, including budgets, forecasts, commitments, change orders, and cost performance from kickoff through closeout. Deliver financial insights, forecasting, and reporting that support effective project decision-making.
• Capital Assets & Procurement Controls - Ensure project spending, contracts, invoices, and purchase activity are accurate, properly supported, and aligned with approved scope and budgets. Oversee capital asset accountability, capitalization, construction-in-progress tracking, and project closeout.
• Compliance, Risk & Internal Controls - Maintain strong financial controls, audit readiness, contract compliance, and risk management processes. Ensure adherence to company policies, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.
• Strategic Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement - Partner with engineering, construction, procurement, operations, vendors, and finance teams to drive successful project execution. Provide leadership with clear visibility into project costs, cash flow, risks, and key business decisions.
• People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in accounting or related field and 5+ years of professional accounting experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
• Strong project accounting, capital project controls, forecasting, variance analysis, accrual, commitment tracking, and cash-flow management skills.
• Experience validating purchase orders, receipts, invoices, vendors, contracts, quotes, change orders, assets, bills of lading, and spare parts documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain audit-ready records for assets, invoices, receipts, inventory, and project closeout.
• Proficient with SAP, purchasing, fixed asset, invoice workflow, reporting, Microsoft Office, Excel, and financial modeling tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work with finance, procurement, operations, engineering, construction teams, vendors, leadership, and auditors.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment with flexibility to support evenings or weekends as needed.
• Strong project accounting, capital project controls, forecasting, variance analysis, accrual, commitment tracking, and cash-flow management skills.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time.
• 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may supervise other members of the accounting team, either directly or indirectly. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. 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 25 pounds. Specific vision includes close vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to sit, use hands to handle, or feel, and talk or hear.

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.