Workers Compensation Manager

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. The Workers’ Compensation Manager is responsible for overseeing all workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work activities utilizing the company's Workers’ Compensation Claims Management Program. This role serves as the primary liaison between employees, Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), medical providers, management, and other stakeholders to ensure timely claim resolution, regulatory compliance, cost control, and successful employee rehabilitation and return to work. The Workers’ Compensation Manager acts as both a claims specialist and employee advocate, providing oversight throughout the life cycle of each claim, ensuring thorough investigations, effective case management, and adherence to Workers’ Compensation laws and applicable federal regulations. 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. Core Responsibilities List Claims Administration: Manage the full lifecycle of workers’ compensation claims from injury reporting through resolution. Partner with TPAs, medical providers, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders to ensure effective claim management. Review claims, investigations, and medical documentation to support timely and appropriate outcomes. Participate in claim reviews, hearings, mediations, and litigation matters as needed. Return-to-Work Management: Administer and oversee transitional duty and return-to-work programs. Coordinate employee work restrictions, accommodations, and return-to-work plans. Work with HR and operations to support compliance with ADA, FMLA, and related regulations. Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with South Dakota workers’ compensation laws and company policies. Maintain accurate claim records and support audits and reporting requirements. Identify claim and injury trends and recommend strategies to reduce risk and costs. Safety and Partnership: Collaborate with HR, EHS, Health Services, and Operations to support injury prevention efforts. Assist with incident investigations and corrective action initiatives. Communicate significant claims issues, injury trends, and risk concerns to Regional Managers and site leadership. Administrative Responsibilities: Prepare claim status reports and program metrics for leadership. Maintain confidential records and ensure appropriate documentation. Perform other duties as assigned. 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. Qualifications List Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years of experience managing workers compensation claims and related areas; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Minimum of 2+ years’ experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required. Must understand the dynamics of workers' compensation in multiple states. Understanding of the litigation process related to workers’ compensation claims. Must have a solid understanding of the third party administration process. Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills. High level of written and verbal communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability. Knowledge and experience of MSOffice, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint; Enterprise and Global Risk Advantage systems. 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. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. 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 inSmithfield, 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. 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