Smithfield Foods last week announced senior management team changes following Chief Operating Officer Brady Stewart’s decision to depart the company and accept a position with an unidentified industry competitor.

“While the company evaluates longer-term organizational changes, members of Smithfield’s operations team – including those leading hog production, manufacturing, fresh pork, business management and sales – report to President and CEO Shane Smith, effective immediately,” the company said in a news release.

“We have a talented management team and regret the loss of a valued leader like Brady,” said Smith. “Fortunately, we have a deep bench of senior executives with extensive experience at our company. We thank Brady for his many contributions to Smithfield over the last six years and wish him well.”