Career Foundations Program Associate

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Career Foundations Program Associate

Apply remote type Onsite locations Des Moines, IA time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id R-2025-10554

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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!

Your Opportunity

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

The Career Foundation Program (CFP) is to designed to provide an opportunity for recent college graduates to explore career options through a function-specific rotation. The program is divided into tracks, each of which is oriented towards a different part of the Company's operations. The program provides the CFP Associate with an opportunity to learn about an aspect of the Company's business while simultaneously seeking a new position to launch a career with Smithfield. Company senior leaders, along with an assigned manager, mentor and program manager, will be available to provide guidance, training, and partnership throughout the CFP Associate's assigned rotations. Rotations can last anywhere from 18-months to 24-months depending on the rotational track the Associate enters. Rotational tracks are based on functional area, which include the following :

Sales & Business Track – including rotations through Business Management, Sales and Marketing

Operations Track – including rotations through Continuous Improvement, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Environmental & Safety, Logistics, and Manufacturing

Hog Procurement Track – including rotations through Hog Purchasing, Meat Quality, and Hog and Farm Contract Negotiations

Distribution Center Track – including rotations through Distribution Services, Inventory Control and Supervision

Supply Chain Track –including rotations through Demand Planning, Transportation and Supply Planning

Operations Engineering Track – including rotations through Engineering Orientation to include exposure to IE / Quality / Production; Corporate Project Work and Supervision

Operations Finance Track – including rotations through Plant Finance and Accounting, and Corporate Finance and Accounting

Hog Production Track – including rotations through Breeding, Farrowing and Head of Department

Feed Mill Track – including rotations through Receiving, Batching, Load Out, Mill Manager Skills and Relief Supervisor

Operations Human Resources Track

including rotations through Plant Operations, HR Operations and HR Generalist function.

Industrial Engineering Track – including rotations through all functions of Industrial Engineering in both Fresh and Packaged plants

Our CFP Associates are expected to contribute to the goals of each department to which they are assigned. They will assist in problem-solving, assume leadership roles for certain projects, help the department achieve both short and long-term objectives, and in general deliver high-level results that exceed expectations. The Career Foundation Program is designed for high potential college / university graduates who can quickly adapt to new environments, show initiative, and take on increasingly complex project responsibilities.

Once the CFP Associate has spent 12 months in the program, they may begin to apply for open positions for which they are qualified and in which they are interested, while at the same time continuing in their functional rotations. Selections for all positions at Smithfield are merit-based so while securing a new position is likely it cannot be guaranteed. Throughout their rotations and their internal job searches, the CFP Associates will receive guidance and career counseling from mentors, managers, and Talent Acquisition Specialists.

CFP Associates will be required to provide proof of graduation prior to their actual start.

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 from a regionally accredited four-year college or university; or currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current semester.

Be able to relocate one to two times during rotation.

Must possess a high level of professionalism, discretion and ability to self-manage his / her time from remote locations.

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Travel up to 15-25% of time. Periodic overnight travel required.

Currently authorized to work in the U.S.

Valid state driver license with acceptable driving record (depending on rotational track)

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.

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.

Office, facility and laboratory environment to include lifting, stretching, bending, reaching, walking, climbing, travel by car and aircraft.

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.

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 handle, or feel, and talk or hear.

Relocation Package AvailableNo

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?

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. Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent. For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees' children .

Smithfield's Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED / High SchoolEquivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or universitythat is not a Guild learning partner.

About Smithfield Foods

Headquartered inSmithfield, 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 toend food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities.Smithfieldboasts a portfolio ofhigh-quality iconic brands , such asSmithfield, Eckrichand Nathan's Famous, among many others.

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