Quality Engineer

Role Impact

The Quality Engineer plays a key role in supporting and improving food manufacturing quality and sanitation systems. This position focuses heavily on sanitation programs, validation, compliance, and continuous improvement, partnering cross-functionally to identify gaps, resolve quality issues, and drive sustainable improvements. The role supports plant objectives related to food safety, compliance, operational effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

This is a plant-facing quality role, not a laboratory testing position, with an approximate split of 60% office-based work and 40% time on the manufacturing floor.

• Provide technical leadership for sanitation programs, including SSOP development, validation, effectiveness monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Lead sanitation validation activities and drive improvements based on data and risk assessment
• Identify quality and food safety gaps; develop and implement corrective and preventive actions
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and lead special quality or continuous improvement projects
• Support and lead change management, including change orders, documentation updates, and process changes
• Handle quality-related complaints, investigations, and follow-up actions
• Conduct product, process, and system audits; support internal and external audits
• Develop, analyze, and trend quality KPIs related to sanitation effectiveness, process health, and compliance
• Troubleshoot non-conformances related to raw materials, packaging, finished products, and environmental conditions
• Collaborate closely with operations, sanitation, maintenance, engineering, and supply quality teams
• Prepare clear written reports and communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders
• Actively spend time on the manufacturing floor to observe processes and support execution

• Bachelor's degree preferred in a science-related or quality-focused discipline
• Candidates without a bachelor's degree will be considered based on relevant experience
• 3–5 years of experience in food, beverage, dairy, or regulated manufacturing environments
• Strong experience with quality systems, sanitation programs, and food safety practices
• Proven experience with RCA, CAPA, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional teams

• Sanitation programs (SSOPs, validation, improvement)
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective action leadership
• Continuous improvement and special project leadership
• Change order and documentation control
• Complaint handling and investigation
• GMPs, HACCP, and food safety systems
• Cross-functional collaboration in a manufacturing environment

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams
• Comfortable balancing office-based work with regular time on the plant floor
• Proactive mindset focused on identifying risks and improvement opportunities