Strategic Project Manager

Smithfield Foods; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Strategic Project Manager to spearhead automation projects for the pork industry. This role entails working with cross-functional teams to translate automation needs into innovative solutions while overseeing project management tasks from design to execution.

Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, extensive project management experience, and strong leadership skills. A relocation package is offered for the successful candidate, and substantial travel (approximately 50%) is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience or equivalent education/experience.
• 2+ years in a leadership position with team management.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Develop preliminary designs and specifications for projects.
• Coordinate equipment vendors for planning and installation.
• Administer contracts and ensure compliance during the project.

Skills

Project management

Contract administration

Engineering principles

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

We are looking for a Strategic Project Manager to join our dynamic team, where you’ll play a key role in driving cutting‑edge automation projects for the pork industry. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with business partners and cross‑functional teams to understand automation needs and translate them into innovative solutions. As a trusted authority in project management with equipment automation, this role tackles the most complex challenges, turning visionary concepts into reality.

Responsibilities

• Design Work: Develop preliminary designs and specifications for engineering and materials, prepare project cost estimates, conduct research, feasibility studies, and economic studies, determine design criteria based on standards and codes, validate field work, create as‑built drawings, review engineering projects, manage project execution by guiding vendors, and coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors.
• Design Implementation: Coordinate and provide direction to equipment vendors to plan layouts, ensure utility requirements, maintain installation schedules, review work products, maintain comprehensive documentation, including manuals, drawings, parts lists, specifications, vendor contact information.
• Reports and Proposals: Conduct engineering planning, design, and operational reviews during pre‑project studies, determine scope of work, prepare requests for proposals, evaluate proposals, submit detailed reports to management within deadlines.
• Review of Bids and Project Preparation: Administer contracts, review bid packages for compliance, prepare essential project documents, monitor installations, manage budget activities.
• People Management: Drive a positive employee experience through leadership, employee development, and coaching.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of experience in a leadership position, including team development and management.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
• Project management, contract administration, national codes and standards interpretation skills.
• Proficiency in engineering economics, AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Word and other Office products.
• Travel to other locations (approximately 50% of the time).

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry.
• Previous experience managing multi‑million dollar projects with large scopes.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable, and team‑oriented, building strong relationships and a positive work environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Majority of time spent in office setting; plant environment includes wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, chemicals.
• Moderate noise level, can be loud in production area.
• Vision requirements: close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear.

Relocation Package

Relocation package available.

EEO Statement

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 veteran 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 .