Animal Handling Specialist

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! 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 an Animal Handling Specialist, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare at the plant level. This dynamic position offers the opportunity to lead training initiatives for all livestock handlers, oversee daily animal care, and manage comprehensive animal welfare audits. You'll serve as a crucial link between the plant and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with government livestock handling standards and addressing any noncompliance reports. Additionally, you’ll represent the plant during audits and tours, championing animal welfare practices and maintaining accurate, up-to-date records. If you're passionate about animal welfare and ready to make a meaningful impact, this role offers both purpose and professional growth. 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. Animal Handling & Transportation: Monitors trucks for proper transportation equipment, unloading practices, timeliness of arrival, and animal wait times. Monitors pigs' for signs of sensibility and appropriate rest time, correct use of approved handling tools, proper handling procedures throughout the facility, and handling during extreme weather conditions. Animal Welfare Oversight: Organizes and leads animal welfare response team committee meetings and actions. Serves as plant lead on all audit and tour groups involving animal welfare. Prepares documentation needed during animal welfare audits and presents it to the auditor. Conducts daily plant and transportation audits, and reviews audit results with Smithfield’s management. Training & Education: Trains all current and new hires who handle livestock on Smithfield’s livestock handling, euthanization, and humane handling policies. Attends company and industry events and training sessions to enhance knowledge, grow professional relationships, and represent the company on animal welfare topics. Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations: Maintains positive relationships with government officials, addresses issues or concerns, and drafts responses to noncompliance reports. Trains Smithfield employees, producers, and transporters on the National Pork Board’s Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program, as needed. Facility Maintenance & Operations: Monitors condition of facilities and assists with scheduling maintenance as needed. Assists with daily tasks involved in receiving animals and maintaining operational efficiency and accuracy. 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. 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. Bachelor's degree; preferred. Prior Animal Handling Instruction, preferred. PAACO certified auditor, preferred. Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA) Instructor Certification, preferred. Working knowledge of livestock handling tools. Working knowledge and experience with captive bolt gun. OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT: Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word and PowerPoint). Excellent verbal and written communication skills with management, producers, USDA and others as needed. Ability to multi-task, prioritize daily work assignments and manage time wisely. Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment. Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment. 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. Frequently required to move and/or lift 50 pounds and occasionally required to move and/or lift more than 100 pounds. Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. IndSPR-Ops Relocation Package Available No 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. 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. 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. 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. Not finding the right fit? 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