Description Position at Pilgrim's
Senior Digital Transformation Program Manager
Purpose and Scope/General Summary: We are looking for a Digital Transformation Program Manager for Pilgrim's that reports to the corporate office in Greeley, Colorado.
Pilgrim's is seeking an experienced and strategic Digital Transformation Program Manager to support and optimize the Processing Plant side of our poultry manufacturing business. This role will be responsible for managing the Plant Digital Transformation Program which facilitates the design, implementation, and support of technology solutions that improve the yield, throughput, labor productivity, food safety, quality, and traceability of our processing operations - including live receiving, first processing (harvest and evisceration), second processing (cut-up, deboning, and tray pack), further processing and prepared foods, packaging, cold storage, and shipping.
Responsibilities:
- Evolve and manage the company's Digital Transformation Program for Processing Plants by applying industry best practices, leading cross-functional teams, managing stakeholders' expectations, and serving as a trusted advisor for technology initiatives.
- Build the digital transformation roadmap by defining the company's business objectives, setting clear goals, solidifying the program scope, prioritizing opportunities, budgeting, and procuring resources.
- Partner with Plant Operations, FSQA, Maintenance, Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance to identify and quantify opportunities in yield, line efficiency, downtime, labor, give-away, and cost per pound.
- Build and maintain clear communication channels with all stakeholders - from corporate leadership to complex managers, plant managers, superintendents, and line supervisors - to foster strong, lasting relationships.
- Enhance our vendor and partner relationships (processing equipment OEMs, automation and robotics providers, vision and inspection systems, MES/SCADA, and analytics platforms) to create easy access to new solutions and capabilities in a scalable and cost-effective manner.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the Digital Transformation team and promote the adoption of strategic technology across the plant network.
- Follow a stage-gate approach and move the program in phases with clear milestones and measurements, using pilot plants to prove value before scaling to the network.
- Establish processes and procedures to ensure appropriate control over the program.
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and secure solutions that can scale, integrate, and evolve within a USDA-inspected manufacturing environment.
- Lead technical development efforts, ensuring all project deliverables meet the defined specifications and integrate with plant-floor systems (weighing, grading, labeling, line controls) and enterprise systems (SAP, Claude, Snowflake).
- Construct an agile operating model that delivers incremental value throughout the transformation journey.
- Support the change management process, including training, technical support, and user adoption on the plant floor and in the front office.
- Enforce architecture standards, documentation, cybersecurity, and governance protocols for plant operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) systems.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required - Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Poultry Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, Business Analytics, or related field.
- 3-5 years of related experience in a managerial role in Poultry or Meat Processing Operations or Digital Transformation.
- Proven experience leading large-scale transformation programs with expertise in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or equivalent).
- Strong leadership skills with a history of delivering technical solutions that generate measurable ROI.
- Possess a deep understanding of the capabilities and limitations of technology - including hardware, software, data architectures, IoT and sensors, PLC/SCADA and MES integration, computer vision, robotics, and automation.
- Must be motivated, willing to learn, and have an enthusiastic work attitude.
- Must have a passion for innovative technology and believe in its ability to transform a business.
- Active team player who can take direction, but also has a willingness to voice ideas.
- Ability to understand the relationships of all functional areas of a poultry processing plant - from live receiving through first and second processing, further processing, packaging, and shipping - and how they impact yield, throughput, quality, and food safety.
- Experience in poultry, meat, or food manufacturing, especially poultry processing operations, is a plus.
- Working knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements (HACCP, USDA FSIS, SQF/BRC) and how technology solutions must operate within them.
- Analytical thinker with an organized and procedural approach to process improvement.
- Ability to frequently re-prioritize and effectively work on multiple initiatives in parallel across multiple plants.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills executed across all levels of the organization.
- Ability to command a room and foster productive cross-functional discussions.
- Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.
- SAP (PP, QM, MM), BI reporting, and experience with processing equipment software (e.g., Marel Innova, Meyn, Baader), MES, or plant-floor analytics platforms are a plus.
- Can perform the functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
- This position may require up to 40% travel. This translates to approximately 20 weeks per year (Ex. plant assessments, system implementations, pilot support, team meetings, user training, research, and trade shows). Unless otherwise specified in this posting, the amount of travel may vary and the most qualified candidate must be willing and able to travel as business needs dictate.
Compensation and Benefits:
The applicant who fills this position will be eligible for the following compensation and benefits:
- Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
- Paid Time Off: sick leave, vacation, and 6 company observed holidays;
- 401(k): company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
- Base salary range of $127,000-$154,000;
- Incentive Pay: This position is eligible to participate in the Company's annual bonus plan, the amount of bonus varies and is subject to the standard terms and conditions of the incentive program; and
- Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs.
For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in states where it is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for any given position, compensation ranges are specific to those states and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to a candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiencies for the role.
This position does not have an application deadline. We will continue to recruit until the position has been filled.
