Assistant Operations Manager

Are you ready to take the lead and make a lasting impact in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? As an Assistant Operations Manager at Smithfield, you'll 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 processesit's about creating impact. You'll lead with purpose, championing workplace safety and USDA health standards while managing budgets, optimizing resources, and controlling costs to drive profitability. At the same time, you'll focus on empowering and inspiring your team, fostering a collaborative environment where employees are motivated to grow and succeed. 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.

What You'll Do

• Leadership and Team Management: You will assist in overseeing 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 lead by example, offering support and direction to foster a collaborative and productive environment. Guiding your team leaders, you'll ensure best practices in safety, food safety, quality, process control, and personnel management.

• Drive Operational Efficiency & Profitability: You will monitor daily yields, efficiencies, and profitability while taking corrective action as needed. With a focus on continuous improvement, you'll actively seek innovative ways to elevate processes and performance. You will also manage staffing and production schedules so that customer needs are met, and resources are optimized.

• Safety and Ergonomics: You will take the lead in implementing and maintaining safety and ergonomic programs to create an injury-free workplace. You'll ensure employees are trained in safety protocols, observe and enforce safety rules and practices, identify and address hazards, and set measurable goals to reduce injuries and associated costs.

• Ensure Quality & Compliance: You will uphold sanitation, product quality, and customer service standards to ensure compliance with USDA and company regulations. Through regular line meetings, you will reinforce high standards alongside compliance expectations.

• Contingency and Accountability: You will ensure that all operating procedures are followed and updated when necessary for accuracy and efficiency. In the absence of key personnel, you will step in or delegate responsibilities to maintain seamless operations and meet all required goals.

What We're Seeking

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 3+ years' relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Minimum of 3+ years' experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, 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.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• In-Depth Manufacturing Expertise: Bring a solid understanding of 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.

• Dynamic Team Player: Thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments, working seamlessly with others while fostering a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented atmosphere. Committed to building strong, positive relationships that drive team success.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and guidance to plant employees.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws

• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and assisting in providing appropriate resolutions.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• 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 finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

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.