Her Story
About Erika
Erika Perez serves as HRBP at the Smithfield Foods pork processing facility in Crete, Nebraska. She began her HR career in 2004 and has progressed through multiple roles including HR assistant, HRG, Associate HR Manager, and recruiting positions gained after relocating to South Dakota early in her career. She joined Smithfield Foods in 2023 after working at Purdue Farms in Hull, Iowa, and was promoted to HRBP in May. Erika holds only a high school diploma along with her PHR certificate and is bilingual in English and Spanish, reading, writing, and speaking both fluently. Her focus remains employee relations, and she attributes her success to her work ethic, accountability, and appreciation for diversity while balancing her HR career with raising her family.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erika
01What do you attribute your success to?
My work ethic and being accountable. I love the diversity and my main attribute is employee relations. I learn to love what I do and enjoy everything on a daily basis.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
From an HR director when starting my career: you've worked so hard, just keep going, just advancing, don't be afraid. That led me to take my first relocating job to South Dakota to get recruiting experience.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never be afraid of any career choices. Go for what you really want to do in life and enjoy what you do to love the career. The path you take is very beneficial. A lot has changed in HR over 20-plus years, becoming more challenging especially with employee aspects post-COVID.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Employee retention and turnover. It's a never-ending challenge in this industry but with fluctuating business needs and structures we overcome obstacles.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work ethic, accountability, loving diversity, and focusing on employee relations. Being able to raise my family while having a career in HR.
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