Manufacturing Process Ops Leader

PepsiCo•Phoenix, AZ

4d•$73,400 - $122,850•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Improvement Engineer (PIE) leads plant-wide initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, and operational performance. This role focuses on horizontal projects that span multiple lines and functions, serving as the key connection point between plant operations and enterprise-level productivity, strategic project, and sustainability teams. This position plays a critical role in advancing plant performance by identifying systemic losses, enabling breakthrough improvements, and influencing how the entire plant operates—ideal for engineers who excel at turning analysis into action.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering strongly preferred (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related field)
3 years of experience in manufacturing process improvement, productivity, or operational excellence
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills
Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects
Ability to influence without direct authority in a plant environment
Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, IWS, or similar continuous improvement experience
Experience with value engineering, lightweighting, or material optimization initiatives
Project management experience or certification
Strong organizational and data management skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated success in a results-oriented, challenging environment
Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive change
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
Effective coaching, facilitation, presentation, and team-building skills
Ability to lead a team-based approach to decision-making

Nice To Haves

Experience with maintenance or technical operations
Familiarity with engineering or maintenance-related systems and processes

Responsibilities

Lead horizontal process improvement projects that span multiple lines and functions
Drive productivity and PEP-positive initiatives aligned with plant and business objectives
Serve as the primary plant contact for strategic project, productivity, and enterprise-level improvement initiatives
Act as the plant “dock point” for initiatives including: Value engineering, Lightweighting and material optimization, Strategic productivity and cost-out projects, Re-application initiatives, Rapid changeover improvements for flavor and packaging
Partner with Strategic Projects, Productivity Leaders, Sustainability teams, and plant leadership to ensure alignment and execution
Conduct detailed loss analysis using standard manufacturing and continuous improvement tools
Provide plant-level downtime and performance analysis to identify systemic issues
Translate data into clear improvement roadmaps with measurable outcomes
Support operations in meeting service, flexibility, and efficiency targets
Develop and execute large-scale efficiency improvement projects to close performance gaps
Provide actionable insights to improve reliability, throughput, and line performance
Collaborate with Process Coaches, Operations, Engineering, Tech Services, and Quality teams
Ensure improvements are embedded and sustained through standard work
Support capability development in problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies
Coach teams on structured CI tools and approaches
Reinforce sustainable behaviors and standardization across the plant