Shift Operations Manager - 2nd Shift

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead distribution center activities, overseeing warehouse operations, staffing, and safety to meet customer expectations and cost objectives.

In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams, ensure USDA standards, optimize resources, and drive continuous improvement while upholding Smithfield's Core Four values of gratitude, communication, respect and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Logistics or related field.
• 5+ years of distribution center/plant shipping leadership experience.
• 2+ years of team management or project leadership.
• Hands-on warehouse experience in meat or food distribution.

Responsibilities

• Lead Warehouse Operations with a safe, efficient, high-performing team.
• Optimize resources and costs by managing labor and payroll.
• Champion safety and compliance with inspections.
• Maintain facilities and equipment with SOPs.
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Deployment, Transportation, and DC Management.
• Foster a positive workplace and community involvement.

Skills

Warehouse leadership

Safety & compliance

Team leadership

Cost optimization

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Logistics

5+ years DC leadership

2+ years team management

Tools

SAP

WMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. 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. Ready to lead from the front lines? In Operations, you’ll oversee production, track product yields, and make real-time adjustments to keep everything running at peak performance—all while ensuring safety and USDA standards are met every step of the way. As an Operations Manager in our Distribution Center, you’ll manage daily activities involving transportation, warehousing, and related services to deliver exceptional customer satisfaction and meet cost objectives. Your leadership will uphold the trusted quality behind iconic brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan’s Famous, powering the supply chain that keeps America’s favorite flavors moving!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Lead Warehouse Operations - Direct and inspire your management team to deliver safe, efficient, and high-performing warehouse operations. Delegate and oversee key operational functions, driving planning, execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Optimize Resources & Costs - Manage labor expenses and monitor weekly payroll to keep costs in check without sacrificing performance. Review staffing levels to ensure the right team is in place to meet business demands.
• Champion Safety & Compliance - Execute robust safety and security programs to protect people and products. Oversee Safety Committee initiatives and host local, state, and federal inspections with confidence. Ensure strict adherence to quality assurance and food safety protocols at every step.
• Maintain Facilities & Equipment - Inspect warehouse conditions and equipment regularly, recommending repairs or replacements as needed. Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, storing, shipping, and salvaging products.
• Collaborate for Customer Success - Partner with Customer Service, Deployment, Transportation Operations, and DC Management to meet customer expectations and service levels. Review operational issues impacting costs and customer satisfaction, ensuring timely resolutions.
• Foster a Positive Workplace - Ensure fair, consistent treatment for all associates while building a culture of respect and teamwork. Support company-sponsored events and community involvement programs to strengthen engagement.
• Handle Special Requests & Reporting - Review business requests for special warehouse services and manage OS&D occurrences effectively. Generate insights by reviewing operational trends and providing actionable recommendations.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited four‑year college or university in Business Logistics or related field and 5+ years of distribution center/plant shipping leadership experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
• Hands‑on related warehouse experience highly desired (Ideally in meat or food distribution).
• Knowledge of refrigerated carrier industry, shipments of perishable products and DC operations.
• Experience with SAP, WMS computer systems, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• High level of written and verbal 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides leadership and guidance to employees in the Distribution Center. 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 assisting in providing appropriate resolutions.

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 distribution center 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. Frequently required to move and/or lift 50 pounds and occasionally required to move and/or lift more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

PROFESSIONAL AND BENEFITS OUTLINE:

The expected pay range for this position is $75,000 - $110,000 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.

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.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

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.