Quality Engineer

LIPTON Teas and Infusions; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lipton Teas and Infusions seeks a Quality Engineer to strengthen quality performance, food safety, and change management at the Suffolk factory. You will head the Quality pillar of the Lipton Management System and support new product introductions while driving root cause analysis and quality improvements.

Collaborating with Production, Planning, R&D, Packaging, Maintenance, and frontline teams, you will ensure changes are risk-assessed, documented, communicated, and sustained.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in CPG manufacturing, quality management, operations, process improvement, or related field.
• 2+ years of experience leading teams is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering or related-field is a plus.
• Experience implementing or supporting a manufacturing management system, TPM, Lean, WCM, IWS, QMS, or similar.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate data and performance gaps into action plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Quality pillar of the Lipton Management System (LMS) and drive quality improvement work.
• Manage the Quality and certification scheme in Change and innovation processes (new blends, packaging, BOM changes).
• Ensure risk assessment and change control with proper documentation before changes.
• Lead root cause analysis and focused improvement projects for quality losses.
• Coordinate trials, tests, and first productions with cross-functional teams.
• Verify and improve data accuracy in SAP, PQS, PLM, and related tools.

Skills

Quality leadership

Problem-solving

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean / TPM

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

PQS

PLM

Job description

The Quality Engineer is responsible for strengthening quality performance, food safety, change management, and quality-related improvement systems across the Suffolk factory. This role leads the Quality pillar of the Lipton Management System, owns key elements of the Management of Change and innovation process, supports new product, packaging, and palletization introductions, and drives structured root cause analysis for consumer complaints, nonconformances, and repeat quality losses.

The Quality Engineer will partner closely with Production, Quality, Planning, R&D, Packaging, Maintenance, Warehouse, and frontline teams to ensure changes are risk-assessed, communicated, documented, implemented, and sustained. The role also supports data accuracy, process documentation, system improvements, and quality-focused automation opportunities in SAP, PQS, PLM, and related systems.

Your key responsibilities:

• Lead the Quality pillar of the Lipton Management System (LMS) by building quality capability, supporting pillar routines, leading quality-focused improvement work, and helping embed quality standards into daily operations.
• Manage the Quality and certification scheme role in Management of Change and innovation processes, including new blends, packaging, palletization, alternative suppliers, artwork updates, BOM changes, first productions, and other product or process changes.
• Ensure effective risk assessment and change control by supporting TRA activities, food safety reviews, quality requirement checks, communication plans, cross-functional ownership, and proper documentation before changes are implemented.
• Lead quality-focused root cause analysis and Focused Improvement projects for consumer complaints, nonconforming product, cases on hold, repeat defects, quality losses, and other recurring issues impacting consumer satisfaction or operational performance.
• Coordinate trials, tests, and first productions by planning, preparing, supervising execution, collecting and sending required samples, evaluating results, and preparing clear reports and recommendations.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Planning, R&D, Packaging, Marketing, Warehouse, and Maintenance to ensure quality requirements are understood, issues are resolved, and changes are implemented effectively.
• Own or support specification, packaging, and documentation accuracy, including DU specifications, PLM artwork/proof reviews, packaging information checks, case/carton print requirements, and requests for BOM corrections.
• Verify and improve production and quality data accuracy in systems such as SAP, PQS, PLM, and related tools to support operational readiness, compliance, traceability, and decision-making.
• Identify and implement improvements to quality systems, workflows, and data management, including opportunities to simplify, standardize, automate, or improve the accuracy and usability of quality information.
• Support manufacturing performance improvement by using data, floor observations, structured problem-solving, and cross-functional follow-up to improve food safety, quality performance, consumer satisfaction, machine productivity, and execution discipline.
• Coach and influence frontline employees, supervisors, and managers on quality standards, change management, root cause thinking, documentation discipline, and LMS behaviors.

Skills and experience:

• 5+ years of experience in CPG manufacturing, quality management, operations, process improvement, operational excellence, TPM, Lean, or a related manufacturing leadership environment.
• 2+ years of experience leading teams is a plus.
• Technical background preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering or related-field is a plus.
• Experience implementing or supporting a manufacturing management system, TPM, Lean, WCM, IWS, QMS, or similar performance improvement system preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, facilitation, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence frontline employees, supervisors, managers, and senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in structured problem-solving, team-based decision-making, and constructive feedback.
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data, losses, and performance gaps into practical action plans.
• Proficient computer skills, including strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong organization and planning skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet timelines.
• Ability to work flexible or extended hours, including weekends as needed.