Jobs › Smithfield Foods

Senior EHS Manager

Smithfield Foods · Monmouth, IL · $115,000–$150,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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 time you reduced injury rates at a site. What drove the change?

What they are checking: Whether they can show real results and explain what actually worked, not just list programs.

Tell me about an OSHA or EPA inspection you led. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle regulators calmly and protect the company while staying honest.

What would you do

You'll lead worker safety, environmental, PSM, RMP, security, wastewater and medical management. How would you spend your first 90 days?

What they are checking: Whether they can assess a broad program, find the biggest risks first and build credibility quickly.

How would you communicate and roll out initiatives under Smithfield's Injury Prevention System to supervisors who are focused on production?

What they are checking: Whether they can make safety programs part of daily operations rather than extra paperwork.

A plant leader wants to delay a safety fix until the next shutdown to protect production. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can push back with risk-based reasoning and find interim controls without damaging the relationship.

How would you build up the EHS team you inherit here?

What they are checking: Whether they develop their staff and set clear expectations rather than doing everything themselves.

About the work

Walk me through the main elements of Process Safety Management for an ammonia refrigeration system.

What they are checking: Whether they have real PSM depth, since ammonia releases are among the most serious risks in a meat plant.

What wastewater permit issues have you managed, and how do you prevent an exceedance?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the environmental compliance load that comes with a large processing plant.

Repetitive motion injuries are common in meat processing. How would you approach ergonomics here?

What they are checking: Whether they know the main injury drivers in this industry and practical ways to reduce them.

How do you manage medical case management so injured workers get good care and return to work safely?

What they are checking: Whether they balance employee care, recordkeeping accuracy and return-to-work programs properly.

What leading indicators would you track instead of just injury rates?

What they are checking: Whether they manage safety proactively through near misses, audits and observations, not just lagging numbers.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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. 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! Your Opportunity Are you ready to oversee a comprehensive Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) department alongside some of the best-in-class Safety leaders in the industry? As the Senior EHS Manager, you will lead regulatory requirements in areas such as Worker Safety, Environmental, Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), Security, Water/Wastewater Operations, and Medical Management. You will lead the charge in the implementation of EHS programs, communicate initiatives relating to Smithfield’s Injury Prevention System (SIPS) and Environmental Management System (EMS), as well as provide direction regarding compliance, training, and EHS practices at all levels within the location. Core Responsibilities • Management Systems: This role manages Environmental, Health, and Safety programs and management systems for the location. Tasks include ensuring compliance with regulations and company standards, proper coordination with site and corporate management personnel for the Site Security Plan, and implanting strategies for continuous improvement of EHS processes and systems. • Staff: You are responsible for managing the EHS team through delegation, policy and procedure administration, work assignment, planning, organizing, and providing follow-up. You will develop a professional team at the location and foster an environment of development and growth. • Training: You will be accountable for ensuring training is conducted as required by regulatory and Smithfield EHS systems. • Metrics and Documentation: You are responsible for timely completion and submittal of all regulatory reports and performance as well as conformance to ISO EHS program requirements. You will develop metric reports to track completion of EHS opportunities and ensure effective documentation at the location. • Key Performance Indicators: Your responsibility includes maintaining compliance with Key Performance Indicators and communicate action plans to your team based on results. • Solutions: You will lead thorough investigations to completely, identify and implement corrective actions, and oversee the implementation strategies for continuous improvement of processes at the location. 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 an accredited four-year college or university in a field that adds value in the environmental, health and safety field and 8+ years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. • 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership is required. • Seasoned at handling multiple assignments simultaneously, setting goals, and completing commitments on schedule. • Accustomed to working long hours, weekends, and remaining in an on-call status when required. • Energized by collaboration through travel on an occasional basis. Preferred - Consistent with job and business necessity • Thorough knowledge of wastewater operations, regulatory programs, and environmental regulations. • OSHA regulations and Process Safety Management requirements. • Workers' compensation processes and incident investigations. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet utilization. • Strong oral and written communication skills for drafting reports, business correspondence, and procedures in English. Supervisory Responsibilities • Provides leadership and guidance to employees. • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. • Responsibilities include interviewing EHS team candidates and training employees; developing effective EHS team members; assisting, providing appraisal on the performance of the EHS team as well as addressing complaints and resolving problems. Work Environment & Physical Demands • 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. • Indoor and outdoor work environments. • Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. • Frequently required to stand; walk; use stairs, some ladder climbing, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and talk or hear. • Work alternate shifts and some weekends. • Ability to deliver information to diverse audiences. • Fundamental mathematical skills for managing Key Performance Indicators. • Embody respect, approachability, and a team-oriented demeanor for fostering robust working relationships and cultivating a positive work environment. • Thrive in collaborating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 
The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 - $150,000 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 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.

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