Research Technician

Overview

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.
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This position of Pork Quality Research Technician will be responsible for executing projects to assess and improve carcass composition and value and meat quality. This will be done by coordinating tests and collecting detailed information for genetic improvement of the commercial test herd (CTH) and research animals from Smithfield Premium Genetics and Smithfield Live Animal Production. This will also include laboratory tests and data collection for the evaluation of fat quality of animals supplied across all harvest locations of Smithfield Foods as well as research projects that identify characteristics of color, marbling, firmness, tenderness, purge and cooking loss of product produced by Smithfield Foods and all major competitors.

The incumbent will share responsibilities of coordinating all research projects as part of the Pork Quality Team with relation to plant personnel and management, suppliers of research animals, research teams assisting with evaluations, plant procurement, and Pork Quality Team members. The incumbent will also share data management and reporting responsibilities.

• Collecting carcass and meat quality data.

• Data collection will include, but not be limited to: (1) kill floor data, including individual identification, hot carcass weight and carcass composition predictors, and (2) cut floor data, including boneless loin weight and meat quality and belly weight and (3) meat quality characteristics such as color, firmness, marbling, weight, and other quality factors.

• Collection fat samples and processing fat samples collected at all harvest locations for the purpose of evaluating the quality of fat for specific vendors and research animals.

• Perform evaluations of research product for the purpose of evaluating purge, retail loss, color, firmness, marbling, objective color, intra-muscular fat, firmness, cooking loss, and tenderness.

• Coordinating data collection with appropriate plant and farm personnel by scheduling groups of pigs from the farms to the plant and following them through to collect information.

• Assist as needed on daily tasks including but not limited to evaluation of the quality characteristics of carcasses and product from suppliers of animals.

• Data entry and checking data for accuracy using Microsoft Excel.

• Data sharing and checking data for accuracy using One Drive.

• Submitting completed data through electronic reports and writing any summary notes.

• Ensure facilities and equipment are maintained including but not limited to the Pork Quality Research Lab and offices.

• Attend the Monthly Pork Quality Team call. Review items from the plant's perspective, address any action items assigned, and provide reporting as directed by supervision.

• Attend company/industry events and training sessions to further education, growth, relationships, and provide voice for company on Pork Quality topics.

• Maintain continual education growth to allow for increasing responsibility if it arises.

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.

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.

• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Must be proficient with a computer and have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and One Drive.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Must have strong organizational and communication skills in order to manage multiple projects at one time.

• Candidate must be a stickler for details, have the ability to remain flexible and must be a team player.

• Must have excellent work ethic and be willing to work in a variety of plant environments.

• Meat or livestock judging team experience strongly preferred.

• Occasional travel as required.

• 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.

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are…