Senior Process Improvement Engineer

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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.
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The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

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.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Process Optimization and Engineering Support: You will analyze and improve plant processes to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality by conducting time studies, capacity analyses, and risk assessments. You will also recommend and implement engineering solutions, layout changes, and equipment upgrades while identifying lean waste elimination opportunities to optimize production performance.

• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement Leadership: You will lead and facilitate lean initiatives—including Kaizen, 5S, A3 problem solving, and Value Stream Mapping—to drive continuous improvement across operations. You will serve as a change agent, implementing standardized and sustainable solutions that enhance efficiency and foster a culture of operational excellence.

• Project and Program Management: You will lead multiple engineering and continuous improvement projects from initial concept through successful implementation, ensuring each initiative delivers operational value. You will also manage project execution with a strong focus on meeting budget, timeline, and performance objectives.

• Data Analysis and Performance Systems: You will conduct root‑cause analysis, process mapping, and advanced data collection to uncover opportunities for operational improvement. You will also design and develop systems that enable accurate productivity tracking and support ongoing performance optimization efforts.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Business Systems: You will develop and maintain standard operating procedures, labor standards, and production measurement systems to ensure consistent and efficient operations. You will also enhance management tools that support cost analysis, financial planning, and job evaluation, enabling data‑driven decisions across the organization.

• Cross‑Functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  You will collaborate with teams across Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to align initiatives and drive cohesive improvements. You will also support process validation and the successful installation of new equipment to ensure efficiency and compliance from day one.

• Training and Capability Building: You will facilitate training workshops and coach plant personnel and leaders on best practices in process optimization.

• Compliance, Governance, and Quality Assurance: You will conduct internal audits and evaluations to ensure regulatory and policy adherence.

• Technology Innovation and Sustainability: You will research and implement emerging technologies that boost operational efficiency and support long‑term sustainability goals. You will also lead technical advancements that drive measurable improvements in product quality and manufacturing performance.