Director Innovation Learning Jobs in Suffolk, VA

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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 the Senior Director of Research & Development, you will serve as Smithfield Foods' senior technical leader responsible for innovation, product development, commercialization, and technical execution across our Fresh Pork and Packaged Meats businesses. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Technical Services, you will lead the company's Research & Development organization while maintaining ultimate accountability for successful commercialization from concept through market launch. This role will provide strategic direction and leadership for Product Integration, New Product Development, Innovation Center Prototyping, and Manufacturing R&D teams.
In this highly visible leadership position, you will drive enterprise innovation, accelerate profitable growth, improve manufacturing performance, optimize processing yields, and deliver meaningful cost savings across the organization. Leveraging deep expertise in meat science, food science, product development, and meat processing, you will collaborate with executive leadership, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, marketing, strategic sourcing, and business management teams to develop and execute strategies that create sustainable competitive advantages.
You will serve as a trusted technical authority, guiding scientific innovation, commercialization excellence, manufacturing optimization, and organizational development. Through visionary leadership and disciplined execution, you will build a culture of innovation, technical excellence, continuous improvement, accountability, and business partnership that advances Smithfield's long-term growth objectives.
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.
• Enterprise R&D Strategy and Innovation Leadership - Develop and execute the enterprise R&D strategy aligned with growth objectives.Establish innovation roadmaps, prioritize investments, and manage the R&D portfolio across innovation, productivity, quality, and cost initiatives.Lead development of new products, product improvements, platform innovations, and customer-driven solutions.Direct innovation activities from concept, prototyping, and pilot validation through commercialization readiness.
• Commercialization and Product Delivery - Own successful commercialization execution across the enterprise.Lead product launches from ideation through manufacturing implementation and market introduction.Establish commercialization standards, drive cross-functional alignment, manage risks, and ensure stakeholder accountability.Oversee plant readiness, startup support, customer implementation requirements, and launch performance metrics.
• Technical Excellence and Scientific Leadership - Serve as a senior authority in meat science, food science, and processing technologies. Provide technical leadership on formulations, ingredients, product functionality, quality systems, shelf life, and manufacturing performance.Lead complex technical problem solving and apply scientific principles to improve product quality, consistency, and operational outcomes.
• Manufacturing Performance and Cost Optimization - Partner with Operations to improve yields, throughput, labor utilization, product recovery, and overall manufacturing efficiency.Lead Manufacturing Improvement Plans through process optimization, technical innovation, and data-driven decision-making.Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives across ingredients, packaging, formulations, specifications, and processes while protecting quality and food safety.
• External Innovation and Technology Advancement - Identify emerging technologies, processing methods, ingredients, and automation opportunities that create competitive advantage.Build and maintain strategic partnerships with universities, suppliers, research organizations, and industry experts.Evaluate and implement new technologies that improve product performance, manufacturing efficiency, profitability, and customer value.
• Organizational and People Leadership - Lead, coach, and develop leaders and technical professionals across the organization.Drive talent development, succession planning, and performance management strategies.Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.Create a positive employee experience through strong leadership, strategic direction, and organizational capability building.
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 in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Engineering, Biological Science, or related technical discipline and 15+ years of progressive Research & Development leadership experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience leading technical organizations, teams, and people.
• Significant experience leading managers, directors, and multifunctional technical organizations.
• Extensive expertise in meat science, food science, ingredient functionality, formulation development, and meat processing systems.
• Deep understanding of fresh pork and processed meat manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide innovation and commercialization organizations.
• Proven experience commercializing products across multiple manufacturing facilities and complex production networks.
• Demonstrated success delivering measurable cost savings, yield improvements, operational efficiencies, and profitability enhancements.
• Experience collaborating with Operations, Supply Chain, Strategic Sourcing, Sales, Marketing, Quality, Food Safety, and Business Management teams.
• Prior manufacturing plant leadership and production environment experience strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, statistical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
• Master's Degree in Meat Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Food Engineering, or related scientific discipline, preferred.
• PhD in Meat Science, Food Science, or related technical field, preferred.
• Experience working within large protein, meat processing, or food manufacturing organizations.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide commercialization functions.
• Experience implementing advanced processing technologies, automation systems, or manufacturing innovations.
• Experience managing complex multi-site manufacturing networks.
• Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing university, supplier, or industry research partnerships.
• Recognized technical expertise in meat processing, fresh pork, processed meats, or value-added protein products.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• This position provides direct leadership and strategic oversight for:

• Product Integration / Commercialization Team
• New Product Development Team
• Innovation Center / Prototyping Team
• Manufacturing R&D Team

• The position is expected to:

• Directly supervise approximately 6-8 managers, directors, and technical leaders.
• Provide organizational leadership for approximately 30-40 total employees.
• Establish performance objectives and development plans.
• Lead succession planning and talent management activities.
• Ensure effective operational and strategic execution across all technical functions.

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.
Phys Demands and Work Env List
• The majority of time is spent in an office environment with regular interaction within manufacturing, laboratory, and pilot-scale production environments.
• Plant exposure may include wet or humid conditions, extreme hot and cold temperatures, moving mechanical equipment, airborne particles, and other processing conditions.
• Noise levels may vary from moderate to loud depending on production environment.
The expected pay range for this position is $180,000 - $222,500 annually.
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 AvailableYes
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.