Jobs › Smithfield Foods

This position has closed. Smithfield Foods removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Plant Maintenance Superintendent - 1st Shift (Relocation)

Smithfield Foods · Cudahy, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a strategy you put in place that cut mechanical downtime. What were the numbers before and after?

What they are checking: Whether they can show measurable downtime reduction from their own decisions.

Tell me about a time you developed a maintenance supervisor into a stronger leader.

What they are checking: Whether they build their leadership bench through coaching rather than doing the job for others.

This position includes relocation to Cudahy. What makes this the right move for you now?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought through relocating and are likely to commit to the role long term.

What would you do

You'll lead a team of maintenance supervisors. How do you set expectations so every supervisor runs their crew to the same standard?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead through other leaders and create consistency across shifts.

A major line fails and it will take two days to fix. How do you lead the response?

What they are checking: Whether they can organize resources, communicate with production and stay calm during a major breakdown.

How do you make sure building and facility maintenance isn't ignored while production equipment gets all the attention?

What they are checking: Whether they protect long-term building condition, which affects food safety audits and safety.

How do you recruit and keep skilled mechanics in a tight labor market?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical ideas for staffing a skilled trade team that is hard to hire for.

About the work

How do you build an annual maintenance budget, and how do you defend it to plant leadership?

What they are checking: Whether they understand maintenance cost drivers and can make a business case for spending.

What's your approach to planning and scheduling maintenance work in a plant that runs most of the week?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to use limited downtime windows and keep planned work from being crowded out.

How do you decide between in-house repairs and using outside contractors?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh cost, skill, speed and safety when deciding who does the work.

How do you keep maintenance work from creating food safety problems?

What they are checking: Whether they enforce sanitary design, tool control and post-repair sanitation in a food plant.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Smithfield Foods from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Smithfield Foods.

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.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. Lead a powerhouse team of Maintenance Supervisors, driving the success of our building and equipment maintenance efforts! As a key player, you'll develop bold strategies to minimize mechanical downtime and keep production lines running at full throttle, ensuring product flow remains uninterrupted. Your leadership will directly impact our operational efficiency, shaping the future of our plant. You'll spearhead the development and implementation of cutting-edge maintenance systems like Preventative and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more—transforming our maintenance processes into a well-oiled machine. In this role, you won’t just manage—you’ll innovate, elevate, and set new standards for a High Performing Manufacturing Organization! 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. • Maintenance Systems Management: Take charge of our maintenance systems to drive peak performance and minimize costs! You’ll lead the charge in implementing best-in-class systems like Root Cause Analysis, Reliability-Centered Maintenance, and TPM to ensure the plant operates at maximum capacity. By strategically scheduling work, reducing unscheduled downtime, and boosting efficiency, you’ll minimize disruption and maximize plant performance, all while cutting costs. • Maintenance Staff and Safety: Lead and inspire the maintenance team through effective delegation, planning, and organizing, ensuring smooth execution of work assignments. You’ll champion plant safety by enforcing policies and procedures and promoting a culture of safety that aligns with Smithfield’s objectives and complies with federal and state regulations. Your leadership will foster a safe and efficient working environment, allowing the team to thrive. • Solutions & Troubleshooting: Be the go-to problem solver for day-to-day operational challenges. You’ll provide quick and effective solutions to issues ranging from equipment failures to troubleshooting, ensuring minimal disruption and preventing recurring problems. Your proactive approach will keep the plant running smoothly and efficiently. • Preventive & Predictive Maintenance: Partner with the Plant Engineer to design and manage a top-tier Preventive and Predictive Maintenance program using the SAP PM Module. By analyzing program data and continuously improving processes, you’ll ensure the plant’s equipment is always in optimal condition, driving reliability and long-term success. • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Stay on top of Key Performance Indicators, tracking and reporting maintenance performance across all areas—equipment reliability, supplier performance, overall equipment effectiveness, and more. You’ll use these metrics to guide continuous improvement efforts, ensuring the maintenance function operates at its highest potential. • Flexibility and Leadership: When key personnel are absent, you’ll step up to ensure tasks are completed or delegated efficiently, keeping operations running without a hitch. Your leadership ensures all responsibilities are handled smoothly, maintaining seamless operations. • People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching. 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 3+ years’ relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. • Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or through managing a process or project • Possesses advanced technical skills in the mechanical / electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, etc.) and is able to lead resource planning efforts in a large manufacturing environment. • Thorough knowledge of world-class maintenance management systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc. • Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • High level of organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning skills. • Knowledge of Microsoft Office and well versed in SAP. • May be required to work long hours and weekends. OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT: • 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. • Strong interpersonal and technical skills required; presentation skills 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 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 50 pounds. • Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. • Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. IndSPR-M/E 

Relocation Package Available

Yes

 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. Check out this video to learn more about this role!