Sr Continuous Improvement Engineer

Schwan's Company; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 83,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Health benefits

Time off programs

Retirement offerings

Job summary

Schwan's Company is seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer for our new Asian-style facility in Sioux Falls, SD. You will drive people and process excellence, close skill gaps, and elevate performance by partnering with plant leadership and cross-functional teams.

You will lead waste-reduction initiatives, develop ROI for projects, apply data analytics, and help advance safety, quality and productivity across operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or related field; Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification preferred.
• 5+ years of process engineering or manufacturing experience, or Master’s with 1–2 years in process improvement.
• Understanding of general industrial processes and control systems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean Six Sigma and HPO to eliminate waste.
• Support development and validation of new capacity and processes.
• Develop ROI proposals for special projects with benefits and alternatives.
• Apply statistical analysis to meet customer requirements while optimizing operations.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams and events.
• Partner with leaders to identify process improvements with lean thinking.
• Analyze processes to improve safety, quality, capacity and productivity.
• Perform analytics and reporting to support initiatives with data-driven insight.
• Demonstrate project management from requirements to milestones and actions.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Engineering with 1-2 years of process improvement experience

Job description

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 this is your chance to help build it from the ground up.

We’re seeking a Continuous Improvement Engineer to drive both people and process excellence, partnering with plant leadership to strengthen training, close skill gaps, and elevate performance. In this role, you’ll play a key part in developing our team, improving operations, and ensuring employees have the tools and confidence to succeed from day one.

What You Will Do

• Lead process improvement initiatives to identify and eliminate waste and non-value-added work utilizing manufacturing practices such as Lean Six Sigma and HPO.
• Support the development and validation of new capacity and processes.
• Develop proposals that include return on investment, benefits and alternatives for special projects.
• Apply statistical analysis to products and processes to assure meeting customer requirements while optimizing operations.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams or improvement events.
• Partner with organizational leaders and others to identify areas of process improvement and recommends solutions through the lens of lean thinking.
• Analyze processes and procedures to identify and develop strategies to improve safety, quality, increase capacity and improve productivity.
• Perform analytics and conduct reporting to support organizational initiatives through advanced knowledge of organizational data and processes.
• Demonstrate project management proficiency by defining project requirements and project milestones, tracking progress, resolving problems, communicating progress, and recommending and executing actions.

What We Look For

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Lean / Six Sigma certification preferred.
• 5+ years of process engineering or manufacturing related experience or a master’s degree in Engineering with 1-2 years of experience in process improvement / development engineering.
• Understanding of general industrial process and control systems.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and successfully leverage internal and external resources.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments while being able to prioritize and meet budgets deadlines and achieve objectives.
• Professional certifications and/or licenses with Six Sigma Lean and/or HPO preferred.

The base salary range for this position is $83,000 to $139,000 annually, with eligibility for a 15% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The range reflects factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and location, and starting salary may 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 [e-mail].