Senior Process Improvement Manager - Lean & Ops Innovation

Smithfield Foods; Crete (NE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Nebraska is seeking a Process Improvement Engineering Manager to drive end-to-end optimization across our manufacturing network, elevating efficiency, quality, and cost performance. You will lead lean initiatives, mentor engineering teams, build standards and measurement systems, and collaborate with operations, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to deliver measurable impact.

Travel up to 50% and a strong emphasis on continuous improvement culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in manufacturing or industrial engineering.
• 2+ years in team management or project leadership.
• Demonstrated lean manufacturing, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, depending on project scope.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end process optimization across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Implement lean techniques to reduce waste and improve throughput.
• Manage concurrent projects with schedules and budgets.
• Use data analytics to identify opportunities and drive improvements.
• Develop labor standards, SOPs, and production measurement systems.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to align initiatives.
• Provide training and coaching to build process-improvement capability.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate new equipment installations and support technology integration.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Value Stream Mapping

5S

Statistical Analysis

Leadership

Project Management

Excel

SAP

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Smithfield Foods in Nebraska is seeking a Process Improvement Engineering Manager to drive end-to-end optimization across our manufacturing network, elevating efficiency, quality, and cost performance. You will lead lean initiatives, mentor engineering teams, build standards and measurement systems, and collaborate with operations, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to deliver measurable impact.

Travel up to 50% and a strong emphasis on continuous improvement culture.