Paul Kafer

Assistant VP of Corporate Engineering, Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Currently Assistant Vice President of Corporate Engineering for Smithfield Foods, Inc. Graduated from Clarkson University with BS in Chemical Engineering, and from Fairleigh Dickinson University with MBA in Industrial Management. 

Thirty one years experience in food industry. Began career with General Foods-Maxwell House Division in Engineering and then Operations. Developed process to automate roasters, which was the subject of a paper presented at the ISA Conference in 1981. 

Held various positions in Operations and Engineering in snack food and gourmet food retailing industry prior to joining a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods (North Side Foods) in 1997 as Plant Manager, and subsequently became Assistant Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance before relocating to Smithfield in Aug. 2005. While at North Side Foods, lead development and installation of automated packaging lines (Packaging World, July 2002), and a new high speed flexible production line. Also at North Side Foods, lead implementation of ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System (RAB certified Lead Auditor), and achieved “yellow belt” level in six sigma training.  

In his current position, oversees capital spending and engineering activities for Smithfield Foods domestic plants. Leads Smithfield Foods’ Engineering Council which develops internal standards and administers internal Maintenance Management Process. Managed construction of greenfield plant in Kinston, NC.