Job Description

Quality Engineer – Day Shift

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Our brand-new, 360,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, SD, is taking shape — and we’re ramping up hiring for key roles. This is your chance to be part of something from the ground up. We’re building a strong, experienced team ready to bring this new site to life and shape its future together.

The Quality Engineer is responsible for providing technical expertise, applied food science knowledge, and leadership in the areas of food safety, food regulations, statistics, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement. This position supports the manufacturing facility by making improvements in food safety, product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational performance.

The Quality Engineer partners cross-functionally with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Product Innovation & Development (PI&D), and Food Safety & Quality teams to identify opportunities, solve quality-related issues, implement process improvements, and ensure compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements. This role also provides project leadership, technical problem-solving, data analysis, training support, and supervisory responsibilities as assigned.

What You Will Do:

• Supervise testing procedures to ensure analytical methods and quality standards are accurately followed.
• Establish and maintain systematic sampling programs for in-process and finished products using approved testing and sampling techniques.
• Monitor quality and food safety data daily and provide technical expertise to troubleshoot product quality and food safety concerns.
• Maintain accurate records of all testing activities and communicate results and trends to management.
• Utilize and develop expertise in plant quality systems and programs, including InfinityQS, HACCP, and related quality management systems.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and PI&D teams to resolve quality concerns, evaluate non-conforming products, and recommend disposition.
• Coordinate and facilitate training programs related to HACCP, GMPs, food regulations, food safety requirements, and quality system execution.
• Monitor established incoming ingredient programs, including product rotation, sampling frequency, testing protocols, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers and purchasing teams to ensure corrective actions are implemented and maintained when quality issues arise.
• Supervise, coach, train, and develop team members as assigned.
• Promote and maintain adherence to company policies, values, code of ethics, and standards of conduct.
• Identify opportunities to improve food safety, product quality, consistency, and operational performance by leveraging data-driven insights.
• Analyze and evaluate data from multiple sources to identify trends, determine root causes, and lead corrective and preventive action initiatives.
• Partner with the FSQ Manager and key stakeholders to prioritize, manage, and execute quality improvement projects.
• Lead projects from conception through implementation, ensuring timely completion and measurable results.
• Monitor and communicate quality performance metrics, trends, risks, and improvement opportunities to facility leadership.
• Design, implement, and improve methods for process control, product inspection, testing, and quality assurance.
• Conduct analyses of ingredients, packaging materials, work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Lead and support initiatives that improve product consistency, reduce defects, minimize consumer complaints, reduce product holds, and improve overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts that positively impact plant performance metrics and support broader FSQ team objectives.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with company values, policies, food safety requirements, and regulatory standards.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Food Science, Food Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of related experience in Quality Engineering, Food Safety & Quality, Manufacturing Quality Systems, or Continuous Improvement.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or experience strongly preferred.
• Food manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of food science principles and manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of statistics, data analysis, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Understanding of production operations within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of HACCP, GMPs, food safety systems, and food regulatory requirements.
• Experience utilizing continuous improvement methodologies including Lean and Six Sigma.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $68,000 to $113,000 annually with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus; that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to education, skills, work experience, certifications, geography, etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs. For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email career.search@schwans.com.