Sr Continuous Improvement Engineer
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Job ID 26-3866 Date posted Aug. 23, 2026 Category Manufacturing JobsAt 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 career.search@schwans.com.
#LI-KS1
Jobs For You
You have not viewed any jobs.
You currently have no saved jobs to view.
Please browse our open positions and save your favorites. You will be able to view them here when you revisit this page.
Find out more about who we are
-
Timeline Video
At CJ Schwan’s, we believe in creating a workplace that's as enjoyable as our food. Recently, our HR team was surprised with Bibigo Steamed Dumplings, bringing smiles and deliciousness to the office. It's these tasty perks and fun moments that make working here so special. Join our team and experience the joy of being part of a company that values great food and a great work environment!
-
Schwan's People Magazine
Dive into the latest edition of Moment Makers Magazine and discover the stories of our incredible team members and how they create moments of connection through the food we make. From heartwarming employee success stories to exciting company updates, our Spring 2026 edition shows how our people are creating a world of flavors for every table.
-
We're Schwan's Employees
What makes CJ Schwan’s so special? Let our Employees tell you themselves in their own words!