Head of Operations Management (m/w/d)

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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. As an Operations Manager at Smithfield, you will be at the heart of our operations, driving production excellence while ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality and safety. From overseeing production and tracking performance metrics to making strategic adjustments, you'll play a key role in delivering the trusted quality that defines brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, and Nathan's Famous.
This role is about more than managing processes-it's about creating impact. You will lead with purpose, championing workplace safety and USDA health standards while managing budgets, optimizing resources, and controlling costs to drive profitability. If you're looking for an opportunity to lead, inspire, and shape the future of food production, this is your chance to join a company where your leadership and expertise will truly make a difference.
Leadership and Team Management: You will oversee all shift production operations, directing salaried and hourly production group leaders to ensure smooth and efficient processes, ensuring that teams stay motivated, aligned, and focused on achieving operational goals. You will foster strong employee relations, making Smithfield an employer of choice by providing training, counseling, and recognition programs that support employee development and morale. Guiding your team leaders, you'll ensure best practices in safety, food safety, quality, process control, and personnel management.
Operational Efficiency and Cost Management: You will partner internally for layout design improvements, oversee automation improvement projects, and implement cost-saving initiatives. By tracking labor, material, and indirect costs, you'll work to stay within budget while meeting or exceeding goals for yields and operational efficiencies. Quality and Compliance: You will maintain high product quality and safety standards, ensuring all processes align with HACCP and SSOP protocols. It will be your responsibility to address product failures, foreign material issues, and ensure all staff are well-versed in CCPs and the HACCP plan to meet compliance requirements.
In the absence of key personnel, you will step in or delegate responsibilities to maintain seamless operations and meet all required goals.
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years' relevant experience; 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.

• Experience using a variety of computer applications, including time-keeping systems, SAP, and Microsoft Office programs, to streamline processes and enhance productivity across the team.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and flexible hours as needed to meet operational demands and open to travel up to 10% of the time.

Bring a solid understanding of lean manufacturing processes, from optimizing yields and plant efficiencies to mastering operations procedures, ensuring smooth and productive plant operations.
Strong Knowledge of Industry Standards: Well-versed in OSHA standards, USDA guidelines, and HACCP regulations, ensuring compliance and maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.
Bilingual Advantage: Bilingual skills are a valuable asset, allowing you to communicate effectively in diverse, multicultural environments and enhance team collaboration.
Committed to building strong, positive relationships that drive team success.
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.
Relocation Package Available
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.