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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 the Director of Process Improvement Engineering, you will provide strategic and technical leadership across multiple facilities to enhance operational performance through advanced engineering principles, continuous improvement, and systems optimization. You will oversee enterprise-wide initiatives in process design, production efficiency, labor utilization, technology integration, and quality improvements. Your responsibilities will include leading multisite engineering teams, standardizing engineering practices, driving cost-saving initiatives, and cultivating a culture of performance, safety, and innovation.
This role is critical in aligning engineering efforts with business objectives, ensuring measurable improvements in productivity, yield, and customer satisfaction across the Smithfield manufacturing platform.
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.
Engineering Leadership: Direct the Process Improvement Engineering function across multiple sites. Ensure that the organization has the structure, capability, and technical resources to achieve current and future goals.
Continuous Improvement Oversight: Drive the deployment of Manufacturing Intelligence (MIQ) and Lean initiatives across all facilities. Champion tools such as 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, and Six Sigma to achieve operational excellence.
Process Optimization & Cost Savings: Identify and implement scalable improvements to increase throughput, reduce waste, and improve product quality and resource utilization.
Performance Management: Establish and monitor productivity and performance standards across operations: guide KPI development, gap analysis, and corrective actions to sustain improvements.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with operations, quality, product development, and supply chain to support manufacturing needs and new product introductions.
Project & Capital Management: Oversee the planning and execution of large-scale engineering and capital projects. Ensure alignment with corporate goals, budget compliance, and timely delivery.
Talent Development & Culture: Build and lead high-performing engineering teams. Provide coaching and development opportunities while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and employee engagement.
Compliance & Governance: Ensure alignment with regulatory, safety, and quality standards. Sustain processes that meet or exceed corporate and industry benchmarks.
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 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 in Engineering (Industrial or Mechanical), Manufacturing, or related field and 10+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing, engineering, or continuous improvement; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development required.
Strong background in lean manufacturing, project management, and change leadership.
Ability to travel up to 50–75%, depending on project and plant support requirements.
OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:
Proficient in engineering software tools (AutoCAD), SAP, Microsoft Office Suite, and performance tracking systems (Power BI preferred).
Demonstrated experience managing large capital projects and optimizing production operations.
Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence at all organizational levels.
Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments while remaining respectful, approachable, and team-oriented.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leads the Process Improvement Engineering organization and associated teams.
Responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and career development of direct reports and project team members.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Work in manufacturing environments with exposure to varying temperatures, mechanical equipment, and noise.
Some projects may involve navigating uneven terrain during site visits.
Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at 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 Available YesEEO 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Industrial or Mechanical), Manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent experience with 10+ years relevant experience
- Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience in team management and development
- Strong background in lean manufacturing, project management, and change leadership (e.g., 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Root Cause Analysis, Six Sigma)
- Demonstrated experience managing large capital projects and optimizing production operations
- Proficiency with AutoCAD
- Proficiency with SAP
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience with performance tracking systems; Power BI preferred
- Ability to travel extensively (up to 50-75%) and work in manufacturing environments (able to lift up to 50 pounds)
- Effective communication and presentation skills with ability to influence across organizational levels
Smithfield Foods Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Smithfield Foods and has not been reviewed or approved by Smithfield Foods.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support stands out as a strong component of the package, with a 401(k) match repeatedly characterized as competitive. This element is portrayed as a meaningful contributor to overall total rewards beyond base pay.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings are described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability, and life coverage. Insurance quality is often positioned as a notable strength relative to other parts of the employment experience.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Compensation is frequently framed as competitive for the industry, particularly for skilled trades and certain salaried roles. Overtime availability is depicted as a major lever that can materially increase take-home pay in many settings.
Smithfield Foods Insights
What We Do
Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly®" and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. 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.
