Senior Process Improvement Engineering Manager
Smithfield Foods · Kansas City, MO
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Lean / CI
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management continuous improvement role at Smithfield Foods (food & beverage) in Kansas City, MO. You will provide strategic leadership for enterprise-wide initiatives that drive operational excellence, enhance product quality, and optimize cost performance across multiple manufacturing sites.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience) · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping
- Day to day
- about 50% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Lean / CI team at Smithfield Foods
We found 4 people at this company and state: 2 on the team, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Cheryl → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is CI run from the plant floor or from a corporate OpEx group?
- Which metrics does leadership actually watch: OEE, scrap, cost per unit?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
About the role
requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
- ✓Education: 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.
- ✓Leadership: 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
- ✓Communication: 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.
- ✓Continuous Improvement & Analytical Skills: Demonstrated success in lean manufacturing, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and statistical analysis.
- ✓Travel Flexibility : Ability to travel up to 50%, depending on project scope.
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If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
The value you’ll bring
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.
What you’ll do
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
- •Strategic Leadership: 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.
- •Engineering Leadership: Provide technical direction and mentorship to engineering staff.
- •Process Optimization: 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.
- •Project Management: Lead and manage multiple, concurrent engineering projects from concept through execution. Ensure project timelines, budgets, and objectives are achieved.
- •Data-Driven Improvements: Utilize data collection and root cause analysis to evaluate production systems, identify inefficiencies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- •Standards & Systems: Develop and maintain labor standards, SOPs, and production measurement systems. Establish and enhance management systems for cost analysis, financial planning, and job evaluation.
- •Cross-Functional Collaboration: 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.
- •Training & Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate training workshops and coach plant personnel and leaders on best practices in process optimization.
- •Compliance & Governance: Conduct audits and evaluations to ensure processes align with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
- •Technology Advancement: Research and implement new technologies and systems that improve operating efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.
- •Leadership: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.
What we’re seeking
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
Other skills that make you stand out
- •Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel); SAP experience preferred.
- •Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred.
Relocation Package Available
Yes
EEO Information
If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.
Check out this video to learn more about this role!