Process Improvement Engineer

Nichols Farms; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Nichols Farms is looking for a Process Improvement Engineer in Hanford, California to lead optimization initiatives across raw processing departments. This role will focus on enhancing productivity and minimizing waste through methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills and experience in improving manufacturing processes.

The position requires collaboration with production and maintenance teams, and supports a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in process improvement or manufacturing.
• Proficiency in Lean tools and Six Sigma preferred.
• Experience in food processing or manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Identify inefficiencies and streamline workflows.
• Develop standardized processes with production teams.
• Conduct time studies and root-cause analysis.

Skills

Lean tools (5S, Kaizen, value-stream mapping, Kanban)

Strong problem-solving abilities

Analytical skills (Excel, PowerPoint)

Effective communication and facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical and/or industrial engineering

Job description

Nichols Farms is one of the top processors of pistachios in the United States. For more than three decades, Nichols Farms has maintained superior quality and exceptional service in supplying pistachio and almond products to major retail and wholesale clients domestically and internationally. Nichols Farms maintains a state‑of‑the‑art processing facility at their corporate headquarters in Hanford, California, employing over 350 employees. Join the Nichols Farms Team in their objective of continued growth. Nichols Farms possesses a strong employee‑oriented environment dedicated to training and growth of team members.

The Nichols Farms Mission and Vision support a culture of striving for mutual success of our employees, suppliers, and customers through operational excellence and educational development.

Position Summary

We are seeking a results‑driven Process Improvement Engineer to lead operational optimization initiatives across our raw processing departments. This role is responsible for identifying inefficiencies, streamlining workflows, and implementing sustainable process improvements that enhance productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and lower operational costs. The ideal candidate will leverage Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data‑driven methodologies to analyze performance, drive root‑cause problem solving, and support cross‑functional continuous improvement initiatives. This position will partner closely with production, maintenance, quality, and leadership teams to develop standardized processes, improve operational performance, and foster a culture of accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use production and quality data to evaluate current processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of raw processing operations, from silos through hand‑sort.
• Collaborate with engineering and fabrication teams to implement new processing projects.
• Research, test, and recommend new technologies to advance raw processing efficiency.
• Partner with production leadership to establish KPIs and performance metrics.
• Conduct time studies, value‑stream mapping, root‑cause analysis, and capacity assessments.
• Develop and implement Standard Work, visual management systems, and 5S practices.
• Work with production teams on continuous improvement tools and best practices.
• Support automation efforts, workflow redesign, and technology‑based enhancements.
• Promote and sustain a culture of continuous improvement across the organization.
• Lead and facilitate improvement initiatives using root‑cause analysis, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement tools.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical and/or industrial engineering.
• 2–5 years of experience in process improvement, manufacturing, operations, or engineering.
• Proficiency in Lean tools such as 5S, Kaizen, value‑stream mapping, and Kanban.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities with practical Six Sigma experience (Green Belt preferred).
• Strong analytical skills, including proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Effective communication, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Experience in food processing or food manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems.
• Knowledge of automation, robotics, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an environment that values innovation and continuous improvement.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to ensure lasting, sustainable improvements.
• Ability to work any day and/or shift, including weekends and holidays.

Job Competencies

• Safety Awareness: Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace. Capable of functioning in a fast‑paced entrepreneurial setting.
• Interpersonal: Ability to effectively build working relationships and communicate.
• Team Involvement: Works effectively with teams and work groups. Actively participates in problem‑solving and interacts with team and work groups to achieve team and organizational goals.
• Detail‑oriented: Attention to detail and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Critical Thinking: Use logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Learning: Understanding of new information for both current and future problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

As part of the scope of this role duties may include being inside the plant manufacturing environment, which may include high levels of noise. When working outdoors conditions can include extreme cold, heat, or humidity; and sometimes can include work in dusty conditions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand, climb stairs, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. The employee will, at times, be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), as designated by the company. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.

EOE/M/F/D/V

Salary: $80000 - $115000 per year