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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.
As a Plant IT Analyst, you will lead the implementation and support of technology solutions that drive efficiency, standardization, and continuous improvement across our manufacturing plants and warehouses. You will serve as a key liaison between plant operations and IT, translating business needs into functional requirements and delivering high-quality systems that support daily production and long-term innovation. This role blends technical knowledge, cross-functional collaboration, and project leadership to ensure our technology solutions align with operational goals.
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.
Act as a Liaison: Bridge communication between Manufacturing, Engineering, and IT to translate business needs into technical requirements.
Implement & Improve Systems: Lead or support the design, configuration, testing, and deployment of system enhancements and upgrades.
Optimize Business Processes: Partner with Plant Operations to identify automation opportunities and recommend innovative uses of existing technologies.
Support System Deployments: Assist with implementing new systems and processes, including developing contingency plans and providing training.
Mentor Junior Analysts: Support IT Leadership in coaching and developing Junior IT Plant Analysts.
Troubleshoot & Resolve Issues: Prioritize and resolve technical issues across manufacturing systems and interfaces.
Maintain & Enhance Systems: Continuously update and improve systems to support evolving business needs.
Support Hardware & Infrastructure: Lead support for plant equipment such as industrial PCs, scanners, scales, and wireless access points.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work with Architecture, Infrastructure, and Security teams to ensure readiness for new technologies and equipment.
Track & Document Assets: Maintain accurate IT equipment inventories and update the knowledge base with resolved issues and best practices.
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 and 2+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
Manufacturing Expertise: Experience with manufacturing systems is required.
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong critical thinking, decision-making, and analytical skills; able to work independently and resolve complex issues.
Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and at all organizational levels.
Work Environment & Travel: Must be able to travel up to 50% based on project and plant support needs.
Organizational Skills: Strong time management and organizational abilities to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Work Style & Values: Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented, with a focus on fostering strong relationships and a positive work environment.
Adaptability & Team Dynamics: Able to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings and contribute positively to a collaborative team culture.
OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
Experience troubleshooting and maintaining Industrial PCs, labelers, scales RF-scanning equipment preferred.
Experience with MES, SCADA, Automation, Quality Control or Compliance systems, preferred.
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 majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. 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.
Frequently required to sit; stand; reach with hands and arms; use hands to handle or feel; stand, reach with hands and arms, use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds; Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- 2+ years of relevant experience
- Experience with manufacturing systems
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Experience troubleshooting industrial PCs and RF-scanning equipment
- Familiarity with MES, SCADA, Automation, Quality Control systems
Smithfield Foods Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Smithfield Foods and has not been reviewed or approved by Smithfield Foods.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support stands out as a strong component of the package, with a 401(k) match repeatedly characterized as competitive. This element is portrayed as a meaningful contributor to overall total rewards beyond base pay.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings are described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability, and life coverage. Insurance quality is often positioned as a notable strength relative to other parts of the employment experience.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is frequently framed as competitive for the industry, particularly for skilled trades and certain salaried roles. Overtime availability is depicted as a major lever that can materially increase take-home pay in many settings.
Smithfield Foods Insights
What We Do
Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly®" and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. 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.






