Specification Writer - Packaging

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.

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. Apply Now!

Your Opportunity

This position is responsible for coordinating, developing, writing, and centralizing product specifications and manufacturing procedures. Assists with the maintenance of the technical services website and PMDM. Works closely with multiple departments to accomplish these tasks. This position also interacts with plants as a technical resource for process and product specifications. The position helps to maintain product quality information in customer and company databases or websites. The position also works with Customer Service in handling complaints, nutrition, and data sheet requests. This position requires an organized individual with exceptional verbal and written communication skills capable of independent decision making. The primary output of the position are specification documents used by the rest of the company to make product to customer requirements accurately. Inaccurate or untimely execution of this function results in significant financial risk to Smithfield Foods. Secondary outputs of the position include key decision-making regarding audit compliance.

Responsibilities

Packaging Specifications

• Coordinate the functionality and uniformity of packaging specifications in SpecrightTM in order to effectively manage data across the supply chain. Responsible for making sure specification data is collected and entered in a timely manner. This is accomplished by creating load templates for vendors to fill out data fields completely and accurately critical to material performance. Extracting data from vendor technical data sheets will be required. Coordinating several workflows for data collect and loading will be necessary.

• Analyze data field for macro data trends as a tool for consolidation efforts

• Facilitate the expansion of the current specification tool to packaging specific data of finished goods (e.g. Pallet Arrangement Data)

• Subject matter expert for specification application dashboards.

Customer Specifications & Packaging Sustainability Reporting

• Complete customer information packets specific to packaging, when requested.

• Data extraction from specifications and entry into customer portals specific to packaging sustainability

Smithfield Proprietary Specification Workflows (PMDM System)

The above 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.

Qualifications

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 (B.A.) from an accredited four-year College or university and 2+ years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Experience in packaging industry, preferred.

• Must be able to travel 10% of the time, with additional travel during initial training period.

• Ability to work in and learn various computer software programs.

• Working Knowledge of database software; Spreadsheet and Word processing software required; and SAP.

• Knowledge of SAP, a plus.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Good mathematical skills.

• Good decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

• Able to communicate effectively and respond to common requests about packaging and processes.

• Ability to work well with others in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

• Must have the ability to complete required applicable forms in English, which requires the ability to read and write in English.

• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Corporate working environment.

• Noise level in the work environment is moderate.

• When located in the plant the environment will include wet, damp, cold, slippery and loud conditions with moving parts, and vibrating parts.

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

• Specific vision includes close vision and ability to adjust focus.

• Frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

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.

Why Work at Smithfield Foods?

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.

Team Member Benefits

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.

About Smithfield Foods

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.