Senior Strategic Project Manager

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp

Missouri

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 163,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is looking for a Senior Strategic Project Manager to design and execute large, multi-team projects for the pork and packaged meat industry. You will apply engineering and mathematical principles, lead several teams, and proactively address external business and regulatory considerations.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 8+ years of experience and strong PM skills.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree 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.
Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry, preferred.
Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.

Responsibilities

Develops and executes the overall project to ensure success through team development, multiple plans (budget, schedule, communication, risk management, etc).
Develops the overall budget through thorough good engineering practices to enable informed decisions with budget control.
Develops the overall schedule to provide a realistic plan and monitors progress against it.
Develops preliminary engineering designs to meet project needs while controlling scope and changes.
May lead multiple teams and provide oversight and guidance to ensure project success.
Develops communication plans to keep the organization informed of status and issues.
Continuously improves robotic and controls knowledge to implement innovative solutions.

Skills

Project management

Budget control

Scheduling

Scope management

Leadership

Communication

Continuous improvement

Travel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

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.

Have a seat at our table.

This is a remote position with geographic requirements. To effectively support business operations, candidates must reside within 60 miles of a designated company location and be able to travel to assigned facilities as needed. Relocation may be required for candidates who do not currently meet this requirement.

As part of our Engineering team, you would analyze data, draft implementation plans for production process optimization. Seeking out ways to maximize efficiencies by eliminating the waste of valuable resources that directly impact our overall operating costs.

You are instrumental to the manufacturing of Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and our other product brands, to meet the needs of our customers and consumers.

The Senior Strategic Project Manager applies theories and principles of science and mathematics to design and develop technical projects for the pork and packaged meat industry. They perform engineering assignments on the most complex and large projects. They are a recognized internal expert in project management and are considered a subject matter expert, solving unique and complex problems. The role leads multiple teams on projects providing direction and coaching to ensure a successful result. The Senior Strategic Project Manager anticipates external business, vendor and regulatory issues and proactively provides broad solutions.

Core Responsibilities

Project Management Develops and executes the overall project to ensure success through team development, multiple plans (budget, schedule, communication, risk management, etc), and necessary monitoring with corrective action.
Budget Develops the overall budget through thorough good engineering practices to ensure an accurate cost estimate to enable the organization to make a well-informed decision. Executes the project with pro-active budget control ensuring that each sub-team manages their budgets.
Schedule Develops the overall schedule with good engineering practices to provide a realistic schedule. Monitors the schedule and proactively scans the internal and external situation to ensure the project is delivered as specified.
Scope Develops the preliminary engineering designs to meet the stated need of the project. Monitors the scope, maintaining the original project scope preventing unnecessary scope creep while keeping the leadership actively informed of any necessary changes.
Leadership May lead multiple teams responsible for sections of the project. Develops and executes management routines to provide oversight and guidance to ensure each team and project section is successful.
Communication Develops communication plans to ensure that the organization is actively engaged and always aware of the status of the project. Pro-actively communicates potential issues with the recommended solution in advance of it becoming a problem.
Continuously improves upon robotic and controls knowledge to execute innovative solutions.

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 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.
Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry, preferred.
Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
Previous experience in the management of multi-million dollar projects with large scopes, desirable.
Proficient in engineering economics.
Proficient in AutoCAD.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and Word processing software, other Microsoft Office products.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
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.
Travel is required with extended overnight stays.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

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 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 hot (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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position may have supervisory responsibilities and lead Associate Engineers, Project Engineers, Senior Project Engineers, and Project Managers. 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 resolving problems.

IndSPR-Corp

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

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 disabled and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

Company Culture

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.