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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.
Step into a role where your leadership directly safeguards product quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. As Sanitation Manager, you will be responsible for driving the plant’s sanitation program, ensuring all activities are executed in alignment with SSOPs and USDA requirements. Beyond addressing deficiencies, you’ll champion proactive measures that prevent issues before they arise—creating a culture of excellence in food safety.
This position is central to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and operational integrity, ensuring the production of safe, wholesome meat products that meet both regulatory expectations and customer confidence.
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.
Sanitation System Compliance – Verifies that sanitation activities are properly designed, executed, and documented to ensure safe, wholesome products and compliance with USDA regulations and company objectives.
Regulatory Oversight & Audit Performance – Makes defendable compliance decisions that balance productivity with regulatory requirements, while ensuring low incidence of pre‑op NRs, shelf life failures, and microbial swabbing issues, and achieving strong audit results.
USDA & Vendor Liaison – Serves as the primary contact with USDA during plant start‑up and participates in weekly meetings with the sanitation service provider, plant management, and USDA to review findings and resolve issues.
Employee Training & Development – Ensures sanitation staff receive pre‑op inspection training, provides feedback on performance, and fosters strong working relationships with USDA and the sanitation company.
Leadership & Supervision – Provides guidance and direction to sanitation employees, including hiring, training, performance management, and resolution of employee concerns, in alignment with organizational policies and applicable laws.
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.
Education & Experience – Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Food Science, Engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience in the professional sanitation or meat industries and processes; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
Leadership – 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required.
Technical & Regulatory Expertise – Knowledge of sanitation science, USDA/FSIS/HACCP/SSOP requirements, and the ability to interpret sanitation guidelines, technical procedures, and government regulations.
Communication, Analytical & Systems Skills – Strong written and verbal communication abilities, skilled in report writing and business correspondence, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, Word), and capable of performing mathematical calculations, data analysis, and interpreting instructions in multiple formats.
Standards, Compliance & Workplace Culture – Demonstrated ability to uphold regulatory, company, and customer standards while fostering strong relationships, maintaining a positive work environment, and contributing effectively in dynamic team settings.
OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
Collaboration & Adaptability – Demonstrated ability to work effectively in fast‑paced, dynamic environments while contributing to team success.
Flexibility to Travel – Ability to travel as needed to support operational and organizational requirements.
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.
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.
Personal Protective Equipment may be required.
Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Frequently required to stand, use hands and/or fingers to grasp, handle, feel, reach and pull; and talk or hear. Occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and smell.
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.