Associate Process Improvement Engineer

Smithfield Foods • Sioux Falls, SD

11d

About The Position

As an Associate Process Improvement Engineer, you’ll be a driving force behind high-impact initiatives across manufacturing and operations. Leveraging your expertise in engineering principles, data analytics, and lean methodologies, you’ll identify opportunities to streamline processes, enhance product quality, and reduce operational costs across multiple facilities. In this collaborative role, you’ll work alongside cross-functional teams and senior leadership to implement continuous improvement strategies and cultivate a culture of operational excellence and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Ability to occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.
• May require prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, or working in varying temperature conditions.
• Exposure to mechanical parts, airborne particles, and factory noise during site visits.
• Willingness to work in both office and production environments for prolonged periods of time.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles preferred.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work collaboratively in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of accountability and the ability to work independently or in team settings.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with a collaborative and coaching mindset.
• Ability to lead by influence, utilizing factual data to support initiatives and drive improvement efforts.

Responsibilities

• Process Optimization: You will evaluate and enhance plant efficiencies by analyzing workforce utilization, facility layouts, and operational workflows; conducting time studies, capacity analyses, and risk assessments; and identifying lean waste elimination opportunities through data-driven process improvement methods.
• Continuous Improvement and Lean Initiatives: You will implement process improvements using A3 problem-solving, Kaizen events, and Value Stream Mapping, while deploying and sustaining MIQ lean transformation and Smithfield Way principles. You will also support cultural and operational change by driving continuous improvement strategies that embed excellence across the organization.
• Data Analysis and Problem Solving: You will assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions and use data insights to generate actionable projects using A3 methodology.
• Technology and Systems: You will be responsible for ensuring and helping implement new equipment or technologies to improve production. You will monitor new installations and compliance with budget and specifications.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Development: You will create and maintain Standard Operations Procedures, work standards, and visual management systems and establish "best in class" and "best practice" standards to optimize production.
• Training and Coaching: You will participate in and facilitate training workshops to promote cultural and operational improvements through knowledge sharing.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will partner with operations, engineering, and leadership to drive standardized processes to help improve decision-making and maintain data integrity.
• Compliance, Reporting and Sustainability: You will support compliance audits and maintain sustainability of improvements. You will deliver reports and presentations to senior leadership and contribute to sustainability goals around energy, water, and waste reduction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees