Assistant Plant Engineer - 1st Shift (Relocation)

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now! 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 key member of our Engineering team, you'll dive deep into data analysis, crafting innovative plans to optimize our production processes. Your mission is to uncover opportunities to drive efficiencies, reduce waste, and cut operating costs, making a direct impact on our bottom line. You'll play a crucial role in the manufacturing of beloved brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and others, ensuring we meet and exceed the needs of our customers and consumers. As the Assistant Plant Engineer, reporting to the Plant Engineer, you’ll take charge of managing the maintenance and engineering operations within the plant, ensuring the building and equipment remain in top condition. Your efforts will minimize mechanical downtime and keep production lines running at peak efficiency. You’ll be at the helm of developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems that align with the principles of High-Performing Manufacturing Organizations (including Preventative/Predictive Maintenance, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and more). Your work will help us build a world-class maintenance strategy, contributing directly to our operational success. You will also lead engineering efforts within your location to ensure our manufacturing process remain state of the art in both technology and performance. 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. Engineering Project Development: You’ll take charge of capital project development and post-approval management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to plant operations. Collaborating closely with the Plant Engineer, you’ll manage project scheduling and execution, ensuring all projects meet safety, food safety, and environmental standards. Maintenance Systems: You will lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with High-Performing Manufacturing Organizations, including Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and more. By optimizing resource scheduling, you'll ensure maximum work output while minimizing downtime, reducing costs, and boosting plant capacity. The outcome? A significant decrease in unscheduled downtime and a major increase in plant efficiency. Maintenance Staff & Safety You’ll empower and lead the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and ensuring clear work responsibilities are assigned. As the champion of plant safety, you'll drive and enforce safety standards through training, procedure implementation, and continuous monitoring. Your leadership will foster a safer, more productive work environment where employees feel supported and motivated to excel. Solutions & Troubleshooting: You’ll be the problem-solving expert the plant relies on! You’ll drive long-term solutions while providing daily support to operating teams, troubleshooting issues, analyzing problems, and resolving equipment failures quickly. Your expertise will keep the plant running smoothly with minimal repetitive issues, creating a positive, efficient work atmosphere where challenges are met with swift and effective solutions. Key Performance Indicators: Working with the Plant Engineer, you’ll develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and report maintenance performance, including supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Your strategic oversight will provide the insights needed to continually improve maintenance operations and drive long-term success. This version speaks directly to you, emphasizing your role in driving innovation, leadership, and improvement in every area of the plant’s operations. People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching. 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 5 years of related experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required. 2 years' experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required. Possess thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CMMS systems. Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical and/or electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical systems, etc). Must be able to lead resource planning and management efforts in a large manufacturing environment. Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc. Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results. Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills required. May be required to work long hours and weekends. OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT: 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: 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. Office and plant setting. The plant 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. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision includes 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. IndSPR-M/E 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 disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595. Check out this video to learn more about this role! 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. Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent. For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children. Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner. 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. Not finding the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Get Started below or create an account by clicking 'Sign In' at the top of the page to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!