Associate Process Improvement Engineer

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Training & development

LinkedIn Learning access

Guild tuition assistance

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Job summary

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp in Sioux Falls, SD, is seeking an Associate Process Improvement Engineer to drive optimization across plant operations. You will analyze production data, develop standards, and implement cost-effective improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

The role requires strong communication, planning, and teamwork, with up to 25% travel and collaboration across multi-plant locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Industrial Engineering degree preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Strong planning, organization, and execution skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% and support multi-plant locations.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Study production data, layouts, and job information to identify efficient worker and equipment utilization.
• Establish labor standards and work measurement programs.
• Analyze costs, processes, and schedules to improve performance and reduce waste.
• Lead plant continuous improvement projects with management involvement.
• Develop SOPs for methods and processes.
• Manage multiple projects to meet schedule and budget guidelines.
• Coach and train plant employees on Smithfield's Management Operating System.

Skills

Communication

Analytical reasoning

Teamwork

Adaptability

Planning

Execution

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Industrial Engineering Degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

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.

The Associate Process Improvement Engineer supports process improvement efforts, projects and initiatives of the facility. This role aides in determining the most efficient ways to best utilize people, machines, materials, information, etc. to provide process improvements. The Associate Industrial Engineer begins to provide individual contribution to problem-solving efforts on selected projects to optimize worker efficiency, yield improvement, waste reduction and workplace optimization along with accurate cost standards and procedures. Works and collaborates with Management to define, develop, and implement plant continuous improvement projects in all areas of plant operations.

Core Responsibilities

• Utilize business analytics and industrial engineering tools to study functional statements, organization charts, and project information to determine functions and responsibilities of workers and work units and to identify areas of duplication.
• Establishes work measurement programs and analyzes work samples to develop standards for labor utilization.
• Analyzes work force utilization, facility layout, and operational data such as production costs, process flow charts, and production schedules, to determine efficient utilization of workers and equipment.
• Reviews methods for improving worker efficiency and reducing waste of materials and utilities such as restructuring job duties, reorganization of workflow, relocating workstations and equipment, and purchase of equipment.
• Implements methods of improvement based on leading edge technologies and industrial engineering principles to improve operating performance and reduce waste, delays and costs.
• - Monitors installation and ensures proposal specifications and budget are met.
• Maintains management systems for cost analysis, financial planning, wage and salary administration, and job evaluation.
• Ensures effective productivity and production measurements are established for identified processes in the plant.
• Monitors system and expands it as necessary.
• Analyzes, recommends, and implements enhancements to existing work methods, flows and processes to improve current capabilities.
• Communicates with management on all changes in work standards.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for methods and processes.
• Manages multiple projects ensuring on-time completion according to schedule and within budget guidelines.
• Researches technology advancements and systems to develop cost effective improvements to operating methods and procedures.
• Coach, develop, and train plant employees on utilizing Smithfield's Management Operating System, and how to utilize data to improve their plants and functional areas.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The 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. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Industrial Engineering Degree, preferred. Company will consider a currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current school year as qualified. Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability. Knowledge and experience with the Microsoft Suite: including, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Strong planning, organization, and execution skills. Ability to use exposure monitoring, equipment, interpret and communicate results. Strong interpersonal and technical skills, required. Must be able to travel up to 25% of the time; may support multi-plant locations. Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment. Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics & physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. - Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

Relocation Package Available Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. 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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly."® is more than just our tagline; it's what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered inSmithfield, Virginia,since 1936,Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities.

Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others.

For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.