Smithfield Foods
Senior Process Improvement Engineer
Smithfield Foods, Saint James, Minnesota, United States, 56081
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A great job-and a great future awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!
Overview The value you’ll bring: As a Senior Process Improvement Engineer, you will spearhead high-impact initiatives that transform manufacturing operations, enhance product quality, and elevate safety standards across multiple facilities. With a focus on advanced engineering techniques and lean methodologies, you’ll lead cross-functional efforts to optimize systems, streamline workflows, and drive sustainable cost reduction. Your work will directly influence productivity, throughput, and profitability while championing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
What you’ll do The following statements describe the general nature and level of work. They are not an exhaustive list of duties. Duties may be added or changed as needed.
Process Optimization and Engineering Support:
Analyze and improve plant processes to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality by conducting time studies, capacity analyses, and risk assessments. Recommend and implement engineering solutions, layout changes, and equipment upgrades; identify lean waste elimination opportunities to optimize production performance.
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Leadership:
Lead and facilitate lean initiatives—including Kaizen, 5S, A3 problem solving, and Value Stream Mapping—to drive continuous improvement across operations. Serve as a change agent, implementing standardized and sustainable solutions that enhance efficiency and foster a culture of operational excellence.
Project and Program Management:
Lead multiple engineering and continuous improvement projects from concept through successful implementation, ensuring each initiative delivers operational value. Manage project execution with a focus on budget, timeline, and performance objectives.
Data Analysis and Performance Systems:
Conduct root cause analysis, process mapping, and advanced data collection to uncover opportunities for operational improvement. Design and develop systems that enable accurate productivity tracking and support ongoing performance optimization.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Business Systems:
Develop and maintain SOPs, labor standards, and production measurement systems to ensure consistent and efficient operations. Enhance management tools that support cost analysis, financial planning, and job evaluation for data-driven decisions across the organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate with teams across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to align initiatives and drive cohesive improvements. Support process validation and the installation of new equipment to ensure efficiency and compliance from day one.
Training and Capability Building:
Facilitate training workshops and coach plant personnel and leaders on best practices in process optimization.
Compliance, Governance, and Quality Assurance:
Conduct internal audits and evaluations to ensure regulatory and policy adherence.
Technology Innovation and Sustainability:
Research and implement emerging technologies that boost operational efficiency and support long-term sustainability goals. Lead technical advancements that drive measurable improvements in product quality and manufacturing performance.
What we’re seeking 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 Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related field) and 5+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
Demonstrated experience leading CI or lean manufacturing initiatives across multiple departments or facilities.
Other skills that make you stand out
Strong analytical, planning, and project management skills with a track record of results.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel knowledge required. SAP experience preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage across all levels of the organization.
Experience with Lean Six Sigma tools (certification preferred).
Self-motivated and capable of working independently with a high degree of accountability.
Physical Demands & Work Environment The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Work in manufacturing environments with exposure to varying temperatures, mechanical equipment, and noise for extended periods of time.
Some projects may involve navigating uneven terrain during site visits.
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.
Check out this video to learn more about this role!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
A great job-and a great future awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We’re looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us. Apply Now!
Overview The value you’ll bring: As a Senior Process Improvement Engineer, you will spearhead high-impact initiatives that transform manufacturing operations, enhance product quality, and elevate safety standards across multiple facilities. With a focus on advanced engineering techniques and lean methodologies, you’ll lead cross-functional efforts to optimize systems, streamline workflows, and drive sustainable cost reduction. Your work will directly influence productivity, throughput, and profitability while championing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
What you’ll do The following statements describe the general nature and level of work. They are not an exhaustive list of duties. Duties may be added or changed as needed.
Process Optimization and Engineering Support:
Analyze and improve plant processes to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality by conducting time studies, capacity analyses, and risk assessments. Recommend and implement engineering solutions, layout changes, and equipment upgrades; identify lean waste elimination opportunities to optimize production performance.
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Leadership:
Lead and facilitate lean initiatives—including Kaizen, 5S, A3 problem solving, and Value Stream Mapping—to drive continuous improvement across operations. Serve as a change agent, implementing standardized and sustainable solutions that enhance efficiency and foster a culture of operational excellence.
Project and Program Management:
Lead multiple engineering and continuous improvement projects from concept through successful implementation, ensuring each initiative delivers operational value. Manage project execution with a focus on budget, timeline, and performance objectives.
Data Analysis and Performance Systems:
Conduct root cause analysis, process mapping, and advanced data collection to uncover opportunities for operational improvement. Design and develop systems that enable accurate productivity tracking and support ongoing performance optimization.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Business Systems:
Develop and maintain SOPs, labor standards, and production measurement systems to ensure consistent and efficient operations. Enhance management tools that support cost analysis, financial planning, and job evaluation for data-driven decisions across the organization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Collaborate with teams across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to align initiatives and drive cohesive improvements. Support process validation and the installation of new equipment to ensure efficiency and compliance from day one.
Training and Capability Building:
Facilitate training workshops and coach plant personnel and leaders on best practices in process optimization.
Compliance, Governance, and Quality Assurance:
Conduct internal audits and evaluations to ensure regulatory and policy adherence.
Technology Innovation and Sustainability:
Research and implement emerging technologies that boost operational efficiency and support long-term sustainability goals. Lead technical advancements that drive measurable improvements in product quality and manufacturing performance.
What we’re seeking 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 Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or related field) and 5+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing engineering, continuous improvement, or industrial engineering; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
Demonstrated experience leading CI or lean manufacturing initiatives across multiple departments or facilities.
Other skills that make you stand out
Strong analytical, planning, and project management skills with a track record of results.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel knowledge required. SAP experience preferred.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage across all levels of the organization.
Experience with Lean Six Sigma tools (certification preferred).
Self-motivated and capable of working independently with a high degree of accountability.
Physical Demands & Work Environment The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Work in manufacturing environments with exposure to varying temperatures, mechanical equipment, and noise for extended periods of time.
Some projects may involve navigating uneven terrain during site visits.
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.
Check out this video to learn more about this role!
#J-18808-Ljbffr