Process Improvement Engineer III

Reynolds American is evolving into a global multi-category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow by Building a Smokeless World.

To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey. Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together!

REYNOLDS AMERICAN has an exciting opportunity for a Process Improvement Engineer III in Tobaccoville, NC

Process Improvement Engineer III is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing processes to enhance safety, quality, delivery, cost, equipment reliability, and operational performance. This role leverages production data, shop-floor observations, and structured problem-solving methodologies to identify process losses, implement sustainable solutions, and improve manufacturing efficiency. Working cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and other stakeholders, the position plays a key role in optimizing processes, standardizing best practices, and delivering measurable business results through TPM, Lean, and operational excellence initiatives.

• Drive manufacturing process improvements focused on safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost reduction.
• Analyse production data and KPIs (OEE, MTBF, downtime, waste, throughput) to identify losses and improvement opportunities.
• Lead Lean, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve process stability and operational performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to implement sustainable solutions.
• Utilize root cause analysis and problem-solving methodologies to resolve recurring issues and standardize best practices across operations.

• Are you energized by improving manufacturing processes and turning daily losses into clear, practical improvement actions?
• Do you enjoy working close to the process, using both data and shop-floor observations to understand what is happening and what needs to change?
• Can you influence different departments and stakeholders by communicating priorities, opportunities, and actions in a simple and structured way?
• Are you comfortable owning improvement work independently while also collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and support teams?
• Do you naturally look for better ways to run a process, sustain standards, and help teams improve performance over time?

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations Management, or related technical discipline.
• Experience in manufacturing operations, process improvement, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, equipment reliability, or operational excellence initiatives.
• Strong ability to analyse production data, identify process losses, prioritize opportunities, and develop actionable improvement plans.
• Understanding of manufacturing KPIs including OEE, MTBF, downtime, waste/scrap, throughput, changeovers, quality defects, and process stability.
• Experience using structured problem-solving methodologies such as Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys, 6W2H, Process Mapping, and corrective action plans.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to partner across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams.
• Floor-focused mindset with demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and ability to work independently in a manufacturing environment.
• Microsoft Excel proficiency and experience utilizing manufacturing data for performance analysis and continuous improvement activities.

• Experience in tobacco manufacturing, cigarette production, PMD/FMD, Making, Packing, or other high-speed automated manufacturing…