Senior Process Improvement Engineering Manager

Smithfield Foods•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. As a Senior Process Improvement Engineering Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for enterprise-wide initiatives that drive operational excellence, enhance product quality, and optimize cost performance across multiple manufacturing sites. In this high-impact role, you will architect and lead the execution of advanced process improvement strategies, labor optimization programs, and continuous improvement frameworks that support long-term business goals. You will mentor and develop a high-performing, cross-functional engineering organization, establish performance standards and measurements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering (Industrial, Manufacturing, or related discipline) and 8+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, engineering, or continuous improvement; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Self-motivated with a high degree of accountability and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
Strong organizational planning and project execution skills.
Demonstrated success in lean manufacturing, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and statistical analysis.
Ability to travel up to 50%, depending on project scope.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel); SAP experience preferred.
Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of long-term roadmaps to drive productivity, cost efficiency, and standardization; serve as a thought leader for process transformation, capital allocation, and innovation, including automation and advanced analytics initiatives.
Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering staff.
Analyze and improve manufacturing processes, including workflows, layouts, and labor utilization. Implement lean manufacturing techniques such as Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and A3 problem-solving to reduce waste and increase throughput.
Lead and manage multiple, concurrent engineering projects from concept through execution. Ensure project timelines, budgets, and objectives are achieved.
Utilize data collection and root cause analysis to evaluate production systems, identify inefficiencies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Develop and maintain labor standards, SOPs, and production measurement systems. Establish and enhance management systems for cost analysis, financial planning, and job evaluation.
Partner with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to implement technical improvements and ensure alignment with business goals. Support new equipment installation and process validation.
Facilitate training workshops and coach plant personnel and leaders on best practices in process optimization.
Conduct audits and evaluations to ensure processes align with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
Research and implement new technologies and systems that improve operating efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.
Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.