Associate Process Improvement Engineer

Smithfield Foods • Sioux Falls, SD

112d

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.
• Experience with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing principles preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of accountability.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and enhance plant efficiencies by analyzing workforce utilization, facility layouts, and operational workflows.
• Conduct time studies, capacity analyses, and risk assessments.
• Identify lean waste elimination opportunities through data-driven process improvement methods.
• Implement process improvements using A3 problem-solving, Kaizen events, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Support cultural and operational change by driving continuous improvement strategies.
• Assist with root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Use data insights to generate actionable projects using A3 methodology.
• Ensure and help implement new equipment or technologies to improve production.
• Create and maintain Standard Operations Procedures, work standards, and visual management systems.
• Participate in and facilitate training workshops to promote cultural and operational improvements.
• Partner with operations, engineering, and leadership to drive standardized processes.
• Support compliance audits and maintain sustainability of improvements.
• Deliver reports and presentations to senior leadership.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and professional development programs.
• Tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs.
• Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Education Reimbursement Program for furthering formal education.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees