Job Description
Who We Are At JonnyPops, our team is empowered to make an impact at work 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 fulfilment from seeing their work transform the world around them.
Based in Elk River, MN, JonnyPops develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets frozen novelties. Retailers from coast to coast including Target, Costco, Publix, Kroger, Cub, along with thousands of regional and local grocers make JonnyPops part of their assortment.
Growing from a dorm room start-up in 2012, JonnyPops’ mission is to make "A Better Pop for a Better World!" JonnyPops leads the frozen novelties space in innovation and uses simple ingredients with no artificial dyes. Every pop stick includes a kind deed, spreading kindness every day.
Joining JonnyPops is an exciting opportunity to be part of high-growth brand and have a direct impact on the company’s success. Join our team and help us make “A Better Pop, for a Better World!”
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear, and reach with hands or arms. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 30 lbs. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in regular office conditions, a laboratory environment, production, inside a cooler or in a warehouse.
Essential Responsibilities - Supplier Program Management
- Maintain the supplier approval, qualification, and monitoring process
- Partner with Supply Chain/Procurement and R&D to qualify new suppliers and materials.
- Maintain supplier risk assessments and ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory and certification requirements (FSMA, SQF, Kosher, Organic, etc.)
- Lead and document supplier corrective action processes, including root cause analysis and verification of effectiveness (partnership with Operations and Plant FSQA through Material Defect documentation)
- Audits and Assessments
- Conduct on-site and remote supplier audits (raw materials, packaging, co-manufacturers)
- 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 supplier performance scorecards, tracking metrics such as quality, food safety, service, and continuous improvement
- Provide regular feedback to suppliers and internal stakeholders on performance and progress
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work with Supply Chain/Procurement to integrate supplier performance into sourcing decisions
- Support R&D and Operations in new product development and commercialization
- Assist in training needs for internal teams and suppliers 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.
- 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.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
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.
Pay: Expected salary range is $90,000-$105,000
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 on bonuses and/or commissions.
Job Tags
Full time, Temporary work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work,