Process Improvement Engineering Project Manager

Continuous Improvement Project Manager

Supports and completes special projects for M‑IQ, Manufacturing Intelligence lean transformation and process improvement initiatives across Smithfield manufacturing facilities. Works with the project management team and continuous improvement team members to develop and deploy technology initiatives that enhance safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

• Lead process improvement initiatives across the organization to develop solutions that drive safety, quality, and efficiency improvements.
• Facilitate the definition of sustainability measures, project goals, resource needs, and stakeholder requirements.
• Identify industry and company best practices to drive opportunities for improvement and stay current with process improvement methodologies and technology‑driven initiatives.
• Lead or participate in planning and implementation of projects, including new process start‑ups, process improvements, data gathering, process documentation creation, leading development teams, training initiatives, and establishing processes to monitor and sustain effective change.
• Manage projects within budget, timeline, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate and complete testing, advanced data collection, and root cause analysis for implemented changes.
• Evaluate plant efficiencies and drive cost savings by identifying and facilitating process improvement projects utilizing A3 methodology.
• Support special projects and duties as assigned by leadership.
• Lead Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping events, developing, initiating, and driving continuous improvement projects from a corporate level.
• Conduct problem‑solving activities including A3s with the plant team to troubleshoot manufacturing, business, and operational issues.
• Participate in reviewing proposed enhancements and identifying issues related to project business requirements; resolve or assist in resolution of conflicts within and between projects or functional areas.
• Embrace and sustain all M‑IQ, Manufacturing Intelligence lean transformation process tenets and other Smithfield Way elements to ensure each is sustained to meet program governance.
• Establish and develop systems that reinforce and encourage data‑based decisions to drive value stream enhancement and continuous improvement, ensuring consistent approach, format, data integrity, and decision processes across the organization.
• Act as a change agent to identify and drive continuous improvement projects that realize cost savings for the organization.
• Provide weekly reports and conduct periodic presentations to senior leadership.
• Coach management in tactical execution of strategic plans.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to attain product quality, efficiency, and process repeatability across one or more facilities.

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four‑year college or university and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in a leadership position, including team development and management.
• Five or more years of experience leading continuous improvement projects in manufacturing, maintenance, supply chain, distribution, or engineering leadership roles (preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to use continuous improvement methods to reduce costs and manage projects.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement continuous improvement plans, lean manufacturing initiatives, 5S, value stream mapping, and statistical analysis to drive change.
• Demonstrated ability to train personnel in person and via Teams effectively as well as present technical knowledge effectively.
• Demonstrated understanding of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer CI knowledge to less experienced CI specialists and plant operations personnel.
• Demonstrated ability in developing high‑performing hourly teams and coaching salary personnel in mentoring and developing high‑performing work teams.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced level knowledge of Excel; knowledge of SAP is preferred.
• Capability to learn and train others on new technology.
• Demonstr…