Senior Regional Engineering Manager

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Senior Regional Engineering Manager to lead the development of operational strategies and drive excellence across multiple plants.

You will guide maintenance and engineering processes, supporting peak performance with cross‑functional collaboration, and provide technical insight to plant management. You’ll oversee capital budgets up to $50 million, drive continuous improvement, and manage a team of engineers across locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in Engineering or related field and 8+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
• Proficient in engineering economics.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering team members to cover multiple plants for optimal performance.
• Oversee Project Engineering teams and projects at all locations.
• Manage direct reports from diverse engineering disciplines.
• Ensure priority projects and capital/expense plans are resourced.
• Guide equipment testing, FATs/SATs, and new equipment opportunities.
• Oversee plant utilities and process discipline in partnership with Infrastructure.

Skills

AutoCAD

MS Office

Project management

Contract administration

Engineering principles

Food processing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

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 a Senior Regional Engineering Manager, you’ll lead the development of game-changing operational strategies and drive excellence across multiple locations. You’ll provide expert technical guidance, optimize M&E processes, and tackle key challenges to elevate plant performance. By closing skill gaps, and fostering strong cross‑functional relationships, you’ll empower your team to succeed. With your extensive expertise in fresh and packaged meat manufacturing equipment and maintenance & engineering processes, you’ll be a driving force in sustaining high‑performance operations. You’ll influence key decisions, lead lower‑level engineers, collaborate seamlessly with peers, and ensure plant management is equipped with the right technical insights to maintain peak operational success. Your strategic vision and leadership will be the catalyst for transforming the M&E landscape and driving consistent improvement.

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.

Leadership & Performance Management

You’ll lead engineering team members to cover multiple plants to ensure optimal plant performance, overseeing Project Engineering teams and projects at all locations.

Manage direct reports from diverse engineering disciplines (e.g., Reliability, Strategic, Automation and /or Project Engineering) to maintain excellence.

Ensure priority projects and capital/expense plans are effectively managed and properly resourced.

Guide and participate in equipment comparison tests, FAT’s/SAT’s, master plans, and research of new equipment opportunities.

Oversee the effective execution of plant utilities and process discipline by collaborating with the Infrastructure Group.

Strategic Oversight & Continuous Improvement

Manage an Annual Capital Budget of up to $50mm, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and resource optimization.

Partner with Plant Operations and Maintenance leadership to identify opportunities and implement strategies that boost operational performance.

Lead the evaluation and identification of M&E process gaps across multiple plants, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Develop and maintain a culture of improvement within M&E departments, focusing on cost savings and process optimization.

Lead the refinement and enhancement of the Engineering Excellence assessment process to ensure continuous evolution and relevance.

Technical & Operational Excellence

You’ll also provide technical leadership, overseeing the development and implementation of production technologies and technical improvements.

Ensure plant teams have the expertise and troubleshooting capabilities to effectively handle major outages and complex equipment issues.

Drive clarity in engineering standards and resource scheduling, aligning performance with established processes.

Develop and implement programs, policies, and practices to ensure safe, high‑quality food production that meets regulatory and company standards.

Compliance & Risk Management

You will ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local engineering codes and regulations by keeping M&E programs, policies, and procedures up-to-date.

Lead and execute cross‑functional teams to resolve quality issues and transfer knowledge across the organization, maintaining high standards for Quality, Food Safety, and Safety Systems.

Employee Development & Team Leadership

Lead, inspire, and develop high‑performing engineering teams, providing clear direction to achieve business objectives and innovative solutions.

Partner with HR to deploy leadership development opportunities, drive performance management, and build a diverse, engaged workforce.

Foster a culture focused on workplace safety, open communication, empowerment, and employee recognition.

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 of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.

Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.

Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.

Proficient in engineering economics.

Proficient in AutoCAD.

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT

Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry.

Previous experience in the management of multi‑million dollar projects with large scopes.

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.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of their team.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include supporting the interviewing and hiring of skilled trade employees and the training of these employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

The expected pay range for this position is $120,000 - $162,500 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here. Relocation Package Available Yes

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. 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 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.