Senior Director, Engineering

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:

Are you a driven and passionate leader with a knack for guiding teams toward success?

Do you want to make a meaningful impact by producing quality food that nourishes families across America?

If so, we want you to join Smithfield Foods, one of the top 25 consumer packaged goods companies in the country! As our Senior Director of Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in managing and executing multiple capital projects across our manufacturing locations. You’ll leverage your expertise in capital planning to oversee vendors, contractors, and engineering service providers, ensuring we deliver the highest value and stay ahead of the competition. As a key member of the Smithfield Engineering Leadership Team, you will help shape and communicate the strategic vision for our engineering and technical operations. You’ll lead, develop, and inspire an Engineering leadership team that drives operational success and excellence, all while making a direct impact on our mission to feed families responsibly and sustainably. If you’re ready to lead with purpose and be a part of something big, this is your opportunity to shine!

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Capital Project and Engineering Leadership: You'll ensure successful execution of capital projects by managing processes and maintaining compliance with standards and regulations. Oversees capital programs at manufacturing facilities, improving cost, quality, service, and safety with the Production Engineering Leadership (PEL) team. Develops and implements project management standards to align with company and regulatory requirements. Supports strategic planning and continuous improvement to deliver value across the organization.
• Leadership and Team Management: Leads and manages teams in Maintenance, Capital Project Management, Infrastructure, and Engineering Services, driving business objectives and delivering solutions on time. Partners with Human Resources to implement leadership development programs, enhance performance, and build a diverse, high- performing team. Fosters a culture of safety, communication, empowerment, and recognition.
• Technology and Process Optimization: Identifies and evaluates new automation and technologies to improve manufacturing and distribution. Works with leadership teams to assess the technical and economic feasibility of manufacturing technology opportunities. Partners with Engineering Leadership to optimize equipment and infrastructure.
• Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement: Develops and implements long-term plans to improve productivity and meet customer and quality standards. Shares best practices across business units and promotes continuous improvement. Ensures processes meet high operational standards and quality requirements.
• Safety and Compliance: Promotes food and safety programs to ensure safe project execution. Ensures capital projects meet safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Budget and Project Oversight: Manages capital project budgets and ensures projects are completed on time and within budget. Supports the development of capital plans and ensures proper project preparation and execution.
• 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 Engineering, Business or related field and 12+ years of experience in Engineering management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years’ experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
• Prior experience as a Project Manager or similar role, required.
• Experience leading multiple, complex, major capital investments, required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, and SAP.
• Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills, required.
• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Experience developing and implementing a capital project management methodology in a multi-plant environment.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• High level of 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Mobility: Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Standing: You may need to stand for up to eight hours each day, especially during site visits or meetings.
• Weather Conditions: Depending on the job context, you might work in various weather conditions, including exposure to outdoor elements.
• Terrain: If you visit project sites, you may encounter uneven terrain, so mobility and adaptability are essential.

Relocation Package Available Yes

The expected pay range for this position is $220,000 - $262,500 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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly.®" is more than 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 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 and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.