Supplier Quality Engineer (Food Manufacturing)

Who We Are

At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact every day — from producing high-quality, innovative frozen novelties to spreading kindness one pop at a time. We look for bright and ambitious individuals who seek out challenges, thrive in fast-paced and high-growth environments, align with our core values, and get fulfillment from seeing their work transform the world around them.

Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Growing from a dorm-room start-up in 2012, our mission is to make “A Better Pop for a Better World!” — and we lead the frozen novelties space in innovation, using simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.

As we grow, we continue to partner with brands that share our commitment to purposeful food, thoughtful sourcing, and making a positive impact. This role supports both the JonnyPops brand and a like-minded partner brand focused on clean ingredients sourced from the highest-quality suppliers, with the opportunity to contribute to additional partnerships over time.

Together, we are looking to add motivated people who thrive in fast-moving environments, embrace challenges with creativity, and care about building something meaningful.

Job Summary

The Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) is responsible for ensuring that all raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and externally manufactured products (co-man partnership) consistently meet company standards for quality, food safety, and regulatory compliance. This position is a strategic partner to the Supply Chain/Procurement, Operations, and R&D teams, collaboratively driving supplier development, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The SQE will own the supplier quality management program, including risk assessments, audits, scorecard development, corrective actions, and long-term performance tracking. This role is highly visible and directly impacts product quality, food safety, and operational success.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is a field-based role requiring approximately 30% travel by air and ground. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for extended periods during travel, walk through manufacturing and warehouse facilities during audits, stand for prolonged periods on plant floors, and use hands to operate tools, handle documents, and manage inspection equipment. The employee must be able to navigate active production environments, including areas with variable temperatures (refrigerated and frozen storage), elevated noise levels, and uneven surfaces. Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs (bags, audit equipment, supplies) may be required. The employee must be able to travel domestically with regularity, including overnight stays, and maintain full availability during peak audit periods.

Essential Responsibilities

• Supplier Program Management & Onboarding

• Own and maintain the supplier approval, qualification, and onboarding process for raw material suppliers, packaging suppliers, co-manufacturers, and 3PL/warehousing partners

• Partner with Supply Chain/Procurement and R&D to qualify new suppliers, co-manufacturers, and materials prior to first use

• Maintain the Approved Supplier List and supplier qualification files, ensuring ongoing compliance with regulatory and certification requirements (FSMA, SQF, Kosher, Organic, etc.)

• Supplier & Co-Manufacturer Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a risk-based tiering model for suppliers, co-manufacturers, and 3PL/logistics partners, factoring in food safety history, product risk category, geographic risk, financial stability, and certification status

• Use risk tiering to set audit frequency, scorecard scrutiny, and on-site visit cadence, prioritizing travel and hands-on oversight toward the highest-risk suppliers and partners

• Maintain the supplier risk register and escalate emerging risks to FSQA and Procurement leadership

• Corrective Action Management

• Lead and document supplier and co-manufacturer corrective action processes, including root cause analysis and verification of effectiveness (in partnership with Operations and Plant FSQA through Material Defect documentation)

• Track corrective actions to closure and escalate repeat or unresolved issues to supplier/co-manufacturer leadership and internal stakeholders

• Audits and Assessments

• Conduct on-site and remote audits of raw material/packaging suppliers, co-manufacturers, and 3PL/warehousing facilities

• Manage audit scheduling, execution, reporting, and follow-up activities

• Collaborate with Supply Chain/Procurement to address audit findings and implement supplier improvement plans

• Supplier Performance Monitoring

• Develop and manage performance scorecards for suppliers, co-manufacturers, and 3PL partners, tracking metrics such as quality, food safety, service, and continuous improvement

• Provide regular feedback to suppliers and internal stakeholders on performance and progress; lead periodic business reviews with top and highest-risk partners

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Supply Chain/Procurement to integrate supplier, co-manufacturer, and 3PL performance into sourcing and contract renewal decisions

• Support R&D and Operations in new product development and commercialization

• Assist in training needs for internal teams, suppliers, co-manufacturers, and 3PL partners on quality and food safety expectations as needed

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities

• Ensure supplier programs align with company food safety and quality policies

• Review supplier COAs, allergen documentation, and verification testing

• Assist with regulatory, certification, and customer audits related to supplier quality

• Act as a technical resource for supplier-related quality investigations

Minimum Qualifications

• PCQI (preventive controls qualified individual) for Human Foods certification required.

• 5+ years of quality, supplier quality, or food safety experience in food manufacturing or related industry.

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong understanding of FDA/USDA regulations, GMP, FSMA, HACCP, and GFSI requirements.

• Demonstrated experience conducting supplier audits.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Ability to travel up to 25–30% for supplier audits and site visits.

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Strong planning and organization skills.

Additional Requirements

• Experience with SQF and additional GFSI schemes highly desired

• Training in supplier audit techniques (ASQ, FSPCA, or similar).

• Experience implementing supplier scorecards or performance management systems.

• Experience with TraceGains a plus.

• Naturally curious, with an appreciation for ambiguity and the ability to embrace the “test and learn” mentality in pursuit of continuous improvement.

• Alignment to our mission to spread kindness – JonnyPops is a kindness-based company

• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

JonnyPops offers a competitive benefits package which includes the following:

• Medical/Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• DCFSA
• Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability
• FTO/PTO
• EAP Programs
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• Sick & Safe Leave
• 401k
• Company Sponsored Meal Plan

* Hired candidates may be eligible to receive additional compensation in the form of bonuses and/or commissions.