Engineering Jobs in Minneapolis Hybrid

Summary:

The Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager is responsible for leading and advancing the company’s Quality Management System and enterprise-wide continuous improvement strategy. This role drives measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, operational performance, and cost of quality while ensuring compliance with industry standards and company requirements. The position partners cross-functionally to embed a culture of accountability, prevention, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000

Responsibilities:

Quality Leadership

• Own, maintain, and continuously improve the company’s Quality Management System, including document control, policy development, and compliance oversight.
• Ensure adherence to applicable industry, regulatory, and company standards.
• Lead internal, external, and supplier audits and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.
• Oversee nonconformance reporting, root cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage customer complaints and warranty performance, ensuring effective resolution and prevention of recurrence.
• Establish and monitor cost of poor-quality metrics, including scrap, rework, and warranty trends.
• Partner with Supply Chain to support supplier quality standards, evaluations, and performance improvement.
• Develop and implement inspection, testing, and validation processes to ensure product and process integrity.
• Ensure risk-based thinking is embedded in project execution, engineering, and manufacturing processes.
• Prepare executive-level reports summarizing quality performance, trends, and improvement initiatives.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Continuous Improvement:

• Develop and execute a structured continuous improvement roadmap aligned with company strategic objectives.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives targeting efficiency, waste reduction, lead time improvement, and margin enhancement.
• Facilitate Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured problem-solving events across departments.
• Analyze workflows and performance data to identify inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions.
• Establish KPI dashboards and performance review processes to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.
• Standardize best practices and ensure long-term sustainability of implemented improvements.
• Drive initiatives that enhance operational scalability and support long-term growth.

Leadership and Culture:

• Champion a culture of integrity, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Train and mentor leaders and team members in quality tools, structured problem solving, and process discipline.
• Provide direction across departments regarding quality standards and corrective actions.
• Serve as a change agent, promoting proactive prevention rather than reactive correction.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in an Engineering, Operations, or related field required.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Experience/Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in managing corporate quality and continuous improvement programs preferred.
• Experience developing and maintaining a formal Quality Management System, including ISO frameworks.
• Proficiency with ERP, PDM/PLM, & LMS programs.
• Proficiency using Microsoft office required (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Strong analytical capability with experience in data analysis, risk assessment, and performance measurement.
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and structured improvement plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• High attention to detail and strong observational skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities with experience working across internal teams, customers, consultants, and suppliers.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and drive cross-functional accountability.

Performance Expectations:

• Reduction in cost of poor quality and warranty claims.
• Timely closure of audit findings and corrective actions.
• Improvement in key operational KPIs including efficiency, lead time, and defect rates.
• Sustained implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for a long period of time.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions, which may include using hands to handle and manipulate small and large objects.
• Must be able to stoop, bend, and reach over the shoulders.
• Must be able to detect, read and interpret visual information in the work area, observe details at a close and far range.

Travel:

• This position requires travel up to 5% of the time including possible international travel as needed.

We are currently seeking a Sr. Manager, Engineering to join our Minneapolis Milk Plant in Minneapolis, MN. In this newly created role, you will oversee and manage all aspects of the engineering and maintenance functions optimizing productivity and maintaining the facility’s infrastructure and equipment. As a people leader, you will direct a team of maintenance supervisors and technicians and work closely with plant management to accomplish goals while demonstrating Kemps’ Culture of Excellence principles.

Kemps is a farmer-owned brand of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a dairy marketing cooperative owned by more than 12,500 family farmers. Our mark matters and it represents the wholesomeness of dairy that we share with our communities and loved ones. DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including cheese, butter, fluid milk, ice cream, dairy ingredients, and more, under well-known and established regional brands. Our fingerprints touch thousands of brands across the marketplace, and we’re passionate about delivering the simple pleasures of dairy to people everywhere, straight from our family farm owners.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure mechanical and electrical expertise is available to production and other departments to maintain production systems, utilities, buildings, and grounds in a 24-hour 7-day per week operation.
• Ensure the site has an effective predictive/preventative maintenance program which has a maintenance strategy for all assets to remove unscheduled down time, increase the lifespan of assets by keeping them in optimal condition, and contain maintenance strategies so assets are timely maintained to minimize costs of asset breakdowns.
• Utilize a computerized maintenance management system to optimize asset utilization through scheduled preventative maintenance.
• Collaborate with plant management and corporate staff to utilize equipment to improve employee safety, production quality, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness by utilizing Continuous Improvement techniques and a Management Operating Structure (MOS).
• Collaborate with senior management to identify and prioritize capital improvement projects. Recommend expense or capital projects which are necessary or will improve productivity, safety, or operational efficiency.
• Remain current with the latest and emerging industry regulations and codes relative to mechanical and electrical systems design and operation.
• Prepare and manage the department’s budget, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources.
• Perform replacement analysis of equipment considering space costs, depreciation, service life, and maintenance costs; advise production management of information and recommend appropriate actions.
• Source and evaluate vendors, contractors, and suppliers to obtain quality products and services at competitive prices. Negotiate contracts and agreements with external parties as necessary.
• Promote a safe and environmentally sound workplace that complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Provide management of employees directly or through supervisors to ensure effective selection, retention, development, disciplinary action, and performance management. If a collective bargaining agreement exists, may participate in negotiations, grievances, or other contract-related activities and discussions.
• Follow all DFA good manufacturing practices (GMP) and work in a manner consistent with all corporate regulatory, food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements.

Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is strongly preferred.
• 8+ years’ experience in engineering or maintenance functions in a food manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience of maintenance personnel is required.
• Experience managing budgets and capital projects.
• Ability to develop, scope, schedule, budget, and lead plant capex projects utilizing CAD and/or other tools.
• Experience with electrical motor control circuitry up to 480V 3 phase is preferred.
• Experience with PLC troubleshooting; Allen Bradley experience preferred.
• Ammonia/Refrigeration level 2 certification required (or willing to obtain certification).
• Boiler 1B or greater MN license required (or willing to obtain certification).
• Technical knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, regulatory compliance, and environmental best practices required.
• Union (for union facilities), Safety, and Worker's Compensation experience preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Auto CAD (preferred).
• Experience leading and following Safety/Security Policies and Procedures.

Benefits:

• Health and Welfare benefits begin 1st of the month after start date
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Competitive pay
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Career growth opportunities – we promote from within!
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits
• Service recognition and employee rewards
• Employee referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Work for dairy farm families

Primary Objective:

To drive successful pricing outcomes through accurate, data-driven costing and pricing processes across projects. This role will engage with customers’ technical teams to adequately understand the customer need and ensure we cost estimate effectively, with the overarching goal of enabling Spectrum to best serve existing and new accounts through competitive and accurate pricing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as a technical liaison to customers, providing confidence in engineering expertise and guiding them through technical discussions of clarity and feasibility of proposed opportunities.
• Engage with customers to understand and provide relevant feedback (e.g., opportunities to drive down cost without impacting efficacy) on technical details of their quote requests and design elements.
• Oversee project cost estimation for incoming opportunities within aligned product group, including developing cost and engineering process assumptions and designing/executing methodologies for accurate quoting.
• Leverage pricing tools to provide commercial team members with pricing guidance.
• Work closely with internal engineering, product, and sales teams to ensure they have all the inputs necessary to develop an accurate cost estimate and pricing guidance.
• Engage relevant Spectrum personnel to determine relevant factors such as tool availability, production capacity, and capability limits.
• Engage with third-party vendors to get cost estimates of key materials / products that they will need to produce the finished product.
• Identify and communicate impactful opportunities to simplify costing processes and improve overall customer response time efficiency.
• Provide margin guidance, as a technical and customer-facing voice contributing to overall company pricing strategies.

Qualifications:

• Engineering Degree or related field preferred. Appropriate experience may be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in technical cost estimation, value engineering, or product design within a manufacturing or industrial setting. Experience with a CDMO strongly preferred.
• Candidate must have experience with technical design, technical process, and customer engagement in technical sales or engineering roles.
• Candidate must have knowledge and demonstrate understanding of manufacturing processes, material selection, and production cost drivers, with familiarity with design specifications.
• Candidate preferred to have strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Candidate preferred to have knowledge and demonstrate understanding of some economic, accounting, and financial principles
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to engage with non-engineering stakeholders via simplifying complex technical concepts.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, sales, supply chain, and product marketing teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple RFQs, technical discussions, and costing exercises effectively.
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident due to CUI/ITAR program compliance.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to assist with production activities as required.

Work Environment:

• Office and Production floor
• Occasional travel required.

Position Profile:

The Manager, Art Direction & Product Design works closely with the Director, Product Design to support art direction and feedback and manage the Product Design team. The team is accountable for the developing products and packaging for the CURiO Brand portfolio that are innovative, beautiful, safe, and sellable to end consumers. This position provides expertise and guidance to the Product Design team in the creation and sourcing of custom vessels (glass, metal, and ceramic), and secondary packaging (paper boxes, tubes, bags, labels, hangtags). The position collaborates across CURiO’s departments, working closely with: Project Management, Brand, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Marketing. The role has direct reports that may consist of any of the following positions: Sr. Product Designer, Product Designer, or other similarly assigned roles.

***This role is for candidates who reside within 60 miles of our corporate office on 9th Street SE in Minneapolis***

Work Responsibilities:

Design & Concept: Guides the Product Design team in translating creative requirements from concept through execution using a unique combination of creative and analytical talents.

• Helps lead strategic thinking of CURiO creative work, ensuring design vision aligns with business objectives, brand aesthetics and costing goals.
• Assigns and manages team workflow of projects, monitoring overall capacity of product designers.
• Helps to identify and implement process improvement areas that result in simplified steps and gain efficiencies for the company.
• Organizes and condenses design feedback into digestible, actionable tasks for product designers.
• Leads design meetings as needed throughout the development process.
• Participates in the approval of prototype samples for style details, construction, safety, and usability.
• Communicates with domestic and international vendors to achieve design intent, construction, safety, and usability goals. Contributes problem-solving ideas throughout the development process.
• Mentors and coaches on varying topics such as: design approach, vendor communication, file building and general best practices.
• Collaborates with Director, Product Design, Product Design team and Brand to research and concept new product ideas.
• Develops mood boards for new product collections and product formats.
• Reviews creative presentations and presents concepts to internal brand team and external customers.
• Demonstrates systematic approach in designs for varying structures, materials, sizes and product types. Brand steward, keen eye for detail, refines designs across selected product assortment.
• Works closely with external vendors, helping to build strong partnerships.
• Organizes and labels incoming samples and approved counters.
• Attends weekly Design & Innovation status meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Works closely with Brand, Project Management, Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, Quality, Production, Finance, and Sales to ensure development is on track to meet project goals, design intent and timeline.
• Works closely with designers and print vendors as needed to develop structures, reviews proofs for color/ detail accuracy and attends press checks as needed. Color advocate for the brand standards.
• Works closely with Project Management team and Cost Analyst on costing exercises. Contributes to product cost discussions, providing insights and ideas on how to cost engineer new developments to meet cost objectives.
• Assists and supports design team in daily tasks as needed such as: mock-ups, structure development, file construction, quotes, 3D renderings, etc.

Supervisory: Responsible for providing leadership to the team and ensuring that the team has the talent, resources, and readiness to meet team goals as well as ensuring maximum productivity and performance. Models CURiO Cornerstones and uses cornerstones framework in decision making.

• Effectively manage a multi-locational team under a fast pace and constantly changing circumstances.
• Hires, trains and develops team, ensuring that each employee has a clear and thorough understanding of their role and responsibilities.
• Fosters a collaborative creative environment.
• Effectively orient new hires to CURiO culture, structure and specific role and responsibilities, ensuring a positive and productive employee experience.
• Utilize the company’s performance management program as designed to align individual performance to overall performance objectives. Provide ongoing performance feedback. Identify and work with manager and HR to take appropriate action for non-performance.
• Ensure all CURiO communication is disseminated to the team in a positive and timely manner.
• Administer all internal policies and procedures in accordance with company, human resources, budgetary, and finance guidelines. Ensure accuracy of staff data records.

General Responsibilities:

• Supports CURiO Cornerstones and strives for individual leadership by using cornerstone behaviors in the workplace and in daily decision making.
• Follows all policies and procedures of the company. Works cooperatively with all departments, maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes cooperation with co-workers, supervisors, and managers.
• Actively seek individual development through taking advantage of opportunities for skill enhancement.
• Keep up to date with the latest best practices, trends, concepts, and regulations in the specific job area.
• Manage time effectively, meet personal goals and work effectively with other members of the team to meet CURiO goals.
• Follows all safety guidelines and polices. Makes supervisor/manager immediately aware of any observed safety issue. Keeps work area clean, safe, and organized.

Position requires extended work hours as necessary to meet seasonal deadlines. Performs other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in graphic and design or equivalent work experience
• Four years’ experience in product and packaging development
• Intermediate level supervisory role

Computer and/or software qualifications:

• Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Outlook
• Advanced level of proficiency in design software; Adobe CS (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• 3D printer experience preferred

Core Competencies:

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and across multiple departments, managing a large volume of projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of design techniques, ability to think creatively, with an eye for color and design
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail, well organized, and systematic in working
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Excellent presentation and writing skills
• Excellent initiative and follow-through
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with business partners
• Tolerance for moderate stress
• Self-Driven, able to work independently

Travel Requirement: Less 5%

Hybrid Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• General office or home office environment: Works at a desk in a well-lit, air-conditioned cubicle/office/home office, with moderate noise levels.
• Ability to sit for hours at a time, viewing computer monitor on a constant basis. Some walking and standing relative to interaction with other personnel.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move items weighing 10 – 15 pounds.
• When in a facility, occasional exposure to dusty and fragrant conditions, varying temperature levels, work near moving mechanical parts, and high noise environments is possible.
• Requires in-office visits weekly for such tasks as: sample unpacking/ review, organization needs, shipping, in-person meetings.

Health & Welfare Benefits:

Eligibility begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment unless noted otherwise:

• Medical, Dental, Disability Insurance (cost shared)
• Life/ AD&D Insurance (employer paid)
• Additional voluntary benefit offerings (employee paid): Vision, Accident, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Voluntary Term Life Insurance, AD&D
• 401(k) – After 6 months of employment on next quarterly entry date

** Note: This job description does not restrict CURiO’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. It does not alter the "at will" employment relationship between the company and the employee.

About the Role

As the Operations Analyst, you are a data-driven problem solver and operational thought partner. You have deep experience in transforming complex, messy data into actionable insights, a strong understanding of operational processes, KPIs, and performance measurement, and a proven track record of building analytical tools, dashboards, and reporting that enable operations leaders to execute more effectively. This role is critical to improving decision-making, streamlining operations, and strengthening Curio’s ability to scale through insight-driven execution.

**This role is for candidates who reside within 60 miles of our 9th Street SE office in Minneapolis, MN**

You will be handed messy data regarding complex problems with general guidance about what insights would be helpful, but little prescriptive direction on next steps or how to solve the underlying issue. This is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to make an immediate impact and develop quickly in their career.

What You’ll Do

• Work deeply within data and systems, becoming intimately familiar with how our business systems (ERP, Data warehouse, etc.) function
• Leverage data from the multiple sources and systems to create insights and analytics leveraging tools like Excel, SQL and PowerBI that equip functional teams with insights and tools to measure and improve their processes
• Create systems and reports that enable efficient internal data communications
• Execute scrappy analyses on short timelines to answer questions quickly, while also identifying and developing more scalable solutions that will make CURiO successful in the long term
• Collaborate across functions and learn CURiO’s business top-to-bottom. You will engage with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Experience, Finance, Engineering, Brand Marketing, Sales, and more.

As a Curio Team Member

• You exemplify CURiO Cornerstones and strive for personal leadership in your role.
• You collaborate across teams and maintain a positive, respectful, and cooperative workplace environment.
• You take ownership of your professional development by seeking learning opportunities and staying current in your field.
• You manage your time effectively and work with others to contribute to team and company goals.
• You maintain and protect company proprietary information.
• You follow all safety guidelines, report concerns promptly, and maintain a clean, safe, and organized workspace.
• You understand that success in your role could include occasional extended work hours as necessary to meet seasonal deadlines and that periodically, you may be asked to perform other duties not included in your role description.

What You Bring

Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of experience working in an omnichannel retail and/or manufacturing within supply chain, internal operations, or business analyst role.
• Experience supporting forecasting, inventory, demand, sales, or other business planning analysis
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with information systems, data, BI/Data Visualization, reporting and analytics
• Exposure to ERP systems and BI tools preferred, with the ability and willingness to learn new platforms quickly.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree

Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical capabilities with a healthy dose of creativity in aggregating data across disparate systems, software programs, and other computer applications
• Energy from being a thought partner for others, excited to spend time translating operational problems into data problems, and then supporting the functional teams that execute on your recommendations
• Comfortable with competing priorities and providing ad-hoc reporting requirements and analysis in Excel, PowerBI or SQL.
• Proactive nature, self-driven and relentless. You don’t need someone to tell you to “move,” you just move. A self-starter who can drive projects and execute results with minimal supervision
• Strong presentation skills that facilitate clear, efficient exchange of information. An effective communicator with the ability to articulate technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Technical proficiency and the ability to collaborate and convey complex information to non-technical end users across multiple functional areas.
• A quick learner who is passionate about solving complex problems and system inefficiencies.
• Inquisitive and constantly seeking answers
• Ability to speak candidly at all levels about tough issues facing the organization while influencing the work of others and maintaining confidential company data

Additional Information

• Travel Requirement: less than 5%
• Work Environment: General office or home office environment
• Physical Requirements:
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move items weighing 10 – 15 pounds.
• When in a facility, occasional exposure to dusty and fragrant conditions

Why Join CURiO

At CURiO, we craft beautiful experiences for the home and body through our fragrance and personal care brands. We’re committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive workplace where talent can thrive and grow. You’ll be part of a passionate team driving meaningful work — with the agility of a growth company and the heart of a purpose-driven brand.

Health & Welfare Benefits:

Eligibility begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment unless noted otherwise:

• Medical, Dental, Disability Insurance (cost shared)
• Life/ AD&D Insurance (employer paid)
• Additional voluntary benefit offerings (employee paid): Vision, Accident, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Voluntary Term Life Insurance, AD&D
• 401(k) – After 6 months of employment on next quarterly entry date

Equal Opportunity Employer

Curio is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.