Production Mgr Trainee 1 - New Colony

Smithfield Foods - Columbia, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Columbia, NC

10,001+ employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Production Manager Trainee position at Smithfield Foods is designed for individuals eager to learn and grow within the pork production industry. This role is pivotal as it involves comprehensive training under the supervision of department leaders, focusing on mastering various aspects of company systems and industry standards. The trainee will engage in a structured learning process, gaining hands-on experience in all farm department areas, including Breeding/Farrowing and Nursery/Finishing operations. The position emphasizes the importance of understanding pig production processes, animal flow, farm health, genetics, and husbandry practices. As part of the training, the incumbent will perform and master all hourly jobs, demonstrating competence and skill in each area before receiving certification. This role also requires the preparation of reports detailing experiences and identifying opportunities for improvement. Compliance with environmental laws and company policies regarding biosecurity, animal welfare, and emergency management systems is crucial. The trainee will be expected to respond to emergencies, including alarm calls and inclement weather, and will be on call as needed. Progression through the Manager Training development program is a key responsibility, and any issues affecting this progression must be communicated to Human Resources. Overall, this position is not just about learning the technical skills required for production management but also about developing leadership capabilities and fostering a positive work environment. The role is integral to ensuring the high standards of animal care and production that Smithfield Foods is known for.

Responsibilities

• Learn and demonstrate capability in all farm department areas including Breeding/Farrowing and Nursery/Finishing.
• Gain understanding of company systems such as pig production processes, animal flow, farm health, genetics, and husbandry.
• Perform and master all hourly jobs under supervision and become certified in each job.
• Develop and prepare reports on experiences and opportunities for improvement.
• Comply with all environmental laws and procedures.
• Complete Leadership Certification as required.
• Report any environmental, animal care, and biosecurity issues to the supervisor immediately.
• Act as the Head of Department (HOD) as needed by management.
• Be on call for emergency situations such as alarm calls, inclement weather, and personnel shortages.
• Progress in the Manager Training development program and report any issues to Human Resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or related Agricultural field, or currently enrolled college student with anticipated graduation by the end of the current semester, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work an average of 48 hours per week, with variability in hours.
• Willingness to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to shower in and out of farm facilities daily.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to lead others.
• Willingness to relocate to complete training and assume first managerial assignment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft software and computer literacy.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented with strong relationship-building skills.
• Supportive of the mission of raising swine for high-quality pork products.
• Willingness to learn and perform animal husbandry tasks such as euthanasia, castration, vaccinations, and blood sampling.
• Ability to operate a high-pressure washing system.