Sr. Continuous Improvement Engineer

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC • Des Moines, IA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Continuous Improvement/Process Senior Engineer is a highly visible position responsible for developing capabilities in support of a culture of Continuous Improvement across the facility. This role leads high‑impact, cross‑functional initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, efficiency, sustainability, and profitability through advanced analytics and Lean methodologies. Serving as a coach and partner to leadership and frontline teams across all functions, this position shapes how work gets done and how teams think about improvement. It's an exciting opportunity for a proven CI professional to make a lasting impact while growing their influence and leadership at the plant level.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology or related field is required.
• Six years of work experience in Continuous Improvement (CI), Lean, Manufacturing Engineering or Process Engineering are required.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required.
• Demonstrated application of advanced lean/ six sigma and statistical tools.
• Proven enterprise lean mastery, system design and coaching.
• Demonstrated mastery of standard work, TWI-Job Relations, TWI-Job Instruction and coaching for scientific thinking.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple enterprise-wide projects at one time.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time in hot or cold temperatures.
• Travel by various means up to 10% of the time is required.
• Must be able to work at elevated heights up to 50 ft.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required to drive a company vehicle.
• Must be able to meet all company requirements to drive a Helena vehicle.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Minitab is preferred.
• Knowledge/experience with process programming, control strategies and instrumentation is a plus.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.

Responsibilities

• Develops, identifies and executes routines/ practices that successfully guide personnel through change.
• Coaches and facilitates lean workshops, investigations and activities.
• Identifies and manages improvement projects by leading cross-functional teams to identify procedural and process changes that will improve efficiency, improve quality, reduce cost, improve sustainability, and maximize profitability.
• Mentors and coaches early and mid-career CI professionals.
• Identifies, develops and implements processes and tools to improve operational processes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs.
• Influences employees and stakeholders cross functionally to create a culture of Continuous Improvement throughout the facility.
• Trains and coaches staff members to help them understand and adopt principles and routines related to Continuous Improvement (CI).
• Collects data and performs advanced statistical analysis such as process capability, SPC, variation reduction and regression analysis.
• Identifies process constraints and monitors performance, performs root cause analysis, trouble shoots deviations and implements countermeasures to restore standard operations.
• Coordinates with Environmental, Healthy & Safety (EHS) on risk assessments, safety issues and ergonomics.
• Collaborates with plant engineering team members to identify, research, recommend and support implementation of equipment solutions that optimize operations.
• Coordinates validation of new products and processes using work standards, process capability studies, statistical analysis, etc. in collaboration with cross functional teams.
• May be required to drive a company vehicle.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three-year vesting on company-match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay.
• Up to 15 days paid time-off plus 9 paid holidays.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to four weeks of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior