Quality Engineer

Izzio Artisan Bakery•Louisville, CO

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Izzio Artisan Bakery is America’s #1 Sourdough Artisan Bakery, known for its rapid growth and commitment to traditional methods and high-quality ingredients. The Quality Engineer plays a crucial role in supporting the Quality Manager at a sourdough manufacturing facility. This position focuses on managing, maintaining, and enhancing quality and food safety systems, with a significant emphasis on handling customer and consumer complaints, driving quality improvements through data analysis, and trending key performance indicators (KPIs). The role applies engineering and scientific principles to ensure product performance and serves as a key technical partner to the Operations team, promoting preventive actions, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, food engineering, microbiology, chemical engineering, or related field.
2+ years of experience in food manufacturing quality or food safety.
Experience managing or supporting customer/consumer complaints and investigations.
Strong data analysis, technical writing, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
Working knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, GMPs, and GFSI standards.
Must Maintain regular, consistent attendance & punctuality.
Must have a flexible schedule, that includes evenings and weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

Nice To Haves

Experience with fermented, sourdough, or yeast-based products.
PCQI and/or HACCP certification.
Experience using SPC or quality data visualization tools.
Bakery or dough-based manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary technical and operational support to the Plant Quality Manager for quality systems execution and daily plant quality activities.
Assist with program ownership, verification, and continuous improvement of site food safety and quality systems.
Provide analytical support for management review, customer communications, and audit readiness.
Act as quality leadership support during investigations, escalations, or Quality Manager absence, as assigned.
Own and manage the customer and consumer complaints process for the facility.
Lead thorough investigations into complaints related to product quality/food safety including sensory, packaging, mold, and foreign material.
Perform root cause analysis and develop effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Partner with Operations, Sanitation, and Supply Chain to address systemic issues.
Prepare professional, data-driven customer response documentation in collaboration with the Quality Manager.
Trend complaint data to identify recurring issues and prioritize improvement opportunities.
Develop, monitor, and maintain quality KPIs, including (but not limited to): Customer and consumer complaints, Internal defects and rework, Hold and release performance, Audit findings and CAPA effectiveness.
Perform trend analysis and statistical evaluation (SPC where applicable) to identify emerging risks.
Translate data into actionable insights for plant leadership and cross-functional teams.
Support preparation of dashboards and reports for daily management, monthly reviews, and corporate reporting.
Lead quality improvement projects aligned with plant and company objectives.
Apply structured problem-solving methodologies (5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, A3, DMAIC).
Drive cross-functional participation to reduce defects, variation, waste, and customer complaints.
Validate effectiveness and sustainability of corrective actions through follow-up monitoring.
Support development, maintenance, and verification of the site Food Safety Plan in compliance with FSMA Preventive Controls (21 CFR 117).
Assist in managing HACCP / Preventive Control programs, with emphasis on: Fermentation time, temperature, and pH controls, Sanitation and environmental programs.
Support regulatory inspections and GFSI audits (SQF) including corrective action follow-up.
Support training of plant personnel on quality procedures, GMPs, and complaint prevention.
Work cross-functionally with Operations, Sanitation, Maintenance, R&D, and Supply Chain.
Promote a proactive quality and food safety culture.

Benefits

Competitive base salaries (commensurate with experience) and other recognition dependent upon role.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
401(k) with company match.
Paid time off, paid holidays, and flexible scheduling where possible.
Ongoing training, professional development opportunities, and pathways to advance your career.
Weekly take-home bread.
Occasional team meals.
First tastes of our innovation.
Coffee is provided at the office.
Opportunities to recognize peers via our Employee Portal Recognition & Rewards.