Governance Senior Engineering Specialist

Smithfield Foods; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Benefits package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Governance Senior Engineering Specialist in Des Moines, IA. You will lead the M-IQ lean transformation, design and evolve engineering standards, and drive operational excellence across manufacturing sites.

You will coach teams, develop training materials, conduct data analyses, and enable cross-functional collaboration to sustain improvements. Travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent; 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong communication, planning, teamwork, and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to train and coach across teams and locations.
• Experience with lean/manufacturing excellence and CI tools is a plus.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance and lean transformation across the M-IQ program.
• Develop training packages and coach internal champions.
• Conduct site reviews and data-driven performance analyses.
• Drive standard costing models and cost analyses for production.
• Ensure data integrity and cross-functional alignment.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Office

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 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 Governance Senior Engineering Specialist, you will be at the forefront of advancing Smithfield's Manufacturing Intelligence (M-IQ) lean transformation. In this strategic role, you'll lead the design, implementation, and continuous evolution of engineering standards and lean tools that drive efficiency, cost reduction, and operational excellence across the manufacturing network.

Working as part of the Governance team, you'll conduct data-driven assessments, develop scalable systems, and ensure the sustainability of program elements through coaching, training, and cross-functional collaboration. You will also lead systematic site reviews, analyze complex performance data, and identify high-impact opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen compliance, and accelerate improvement initiatives.

Governance defines the framework and methodology behind the M-IQ program-documenting lean tenets, training internal champions, and ensuring long-term program integrity. As a senior specialist, your influence will extend across departments-from Operations and Continuous Improvement to Engineering, FSQA, and beyond-cultivating a culture of innovation, accountability, and results-driven problem solving.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Program Strategy and Development: You will analyze the M-IQ program to uncover systemic improvement opportunities and develop forward-looking content that aligns with evolving business priorities. You will also support Smithfield's manufacturing improvement plan by advancing A3 problem-solving, promoting lean tool adoption, and enabling data-driven decisions. Drawing on strategic thinking, you will translate high-level goals into actionable solutions and independently lead special projects, including new technology implementations and cross-functional initiatives.

• Training and Knowledge Transfer: You will develop and facilitate standardized trainings and workshops across M-IQ locations to drive cultural transformation and enhance performance metrics. You will define the 'Smithfield Way' for lean tools by researching, documenting, and delivering comprehensive training packages, while providing guidance to support teams and senior leadership. Additionally, you will coach managers in executing strategic initiatives and lead multiple improvement teams to accelerate impactful, sustainable change.

• Continuous Improvement and Change Leadership: You will act as a change agent to embed continuous improvement methodologies throughout the M-IQ platform and Continuous Improvement department, driving innovation and cultural transformation. You will also guide cross-functional teams in implementing Smithfield Way tenets and tools across multiple locations, partnering collaboratively to develop, sustain, and elevate program effectiveness.

• Operational Execution and Process Governance: You will facilitate standard changes through effective stakeholder communication and plant coordination, ensuring accuracy and alignment with operational goals. You will also develop and conduct compliance audits, evaluations, and reviews to sustain improvements, while providing weekly reports that capture individual, departmental, and program-level contributions.

• Data and Performance Analysis: You will conduct data collection, root cause analysis, Value Stream Mapping, and operational troubleshooting to identify performance gaps and drive targeted improvements. You will also perform cost analysis, develop standard costing models for production, and establish systems that foster data-based decision-making and continuous improvement across the organization.

• Organizational Systems and Integrity: You will work across the organization to ensure consistency in approach, formatting, data integrity, and decision-making processes that align with enterprise standards. You will also apply sound judgment and critical thinking to solve complex business challenges, leveraging insights from diverse sources to develop effective, forward-thinking solutions.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience 5+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced level knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.

• Strong ability to learn new programs and technical skills as necessary.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.

• Demonstrated technical writing skills including creation of training material or reference material.

• Demonstrated ability to train in person and via Teams effectively.

• Demonstrated planning, organization, and execution skills. Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines. Solid analytical skills, with practical operational knowledge. Strong business acumen.

• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement continuous improvement plans, lean manufacturing initiatives, 5S, value stream mapping, statistical process control to drive change.

• Strong attention to detail, self-motivation, innovation, and ability to operate autonomously.

• Demonstrated ability to transfer CI knowledge to less experienced CI Specialists as well as plant operations personnel, both hourly and salary

• Demonstrated ability in developing high performing hourly teams and coaching salary personnel in mentoring and developing high performing work teams.

• Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Demonstrated understanding of Advanced Continuous Improvement and lean manufacturing principles with 2+ years within a continuous improvement role, preferred.

• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must be comfortable working in a production setting.

• 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.

The expected pay range for this position is $75,000 - $110,000 annually.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of thesalary or hourly wagethe company reasonably expects to pay for a positionat the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate's qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package.

Learn more about our benefits package here.

Relocation Package AvailableYes

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.