Technical Product & Quality Lead (Day Shift)

Who We AreAt 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, JonnyPop’ 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 SummaryThe Technical Product & Quality Lead supports the Technical Product & Quality Supervisor by coordinating daily food safety and quality tasks, leading QA & lab techs, and serving as a key resource during production shifts. This role ensures accurate execution of QA protocols, facilitates internal audits, and monitors compliance with GMPs, CCPs, and product standardsEssential Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities.

• Provides support for QA Technician in GMP walks, ensuring timely documentation of findings and follow-ups.
• Act as the owner and keeper of CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions), ensuring thorough root cause analysis, timely implementation, and effectiveness verification.
• Support daily FSQA operations by monitoring product quality, verifying specification adherence, and escalating deviations to QA leadership.
• Troubleshoot quality and food safety issues on the floor, collaborating with production, sanitation, and maintenance teams to implement corrective actions
• Serve as a backup to the QA Technician and Lab Technician, supporting sampling, testing, environmental monitoring (EMP), and quality checks as needed.
• Lead or participate in peer GMP walks and sanitation verifications, documenting observations and driving accountability for corrective measures.
• Partner with R&D and production to support product trials, formulation changes, and scale-ups, ensuring quality and food safety compliance.
• Monitor and maintain quality documentation including product specifications values, test records, retain logs, etc.
• Assist with training and onboarding of new QA and production staff on FSQA protocols, product standards, and audit readiness.
• Support customer complaint investigations by gathering data, reviewing records, and contributing to formal responses and corrective action plans.
• Support QA Supervisor in implementing and maintaining food safety systems and programs.
• Act as QA point of contact during Supervisor absence or when issues arise on shift.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related field preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, or technical roles within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading internal audits and managing CAPA processes.
• Strong knowledge of FSQA regulations and standards, including FSMA, SQF, GFSI, and HACCP.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex quality and food safety issues.
• Experience working cross-functionally with production, sanitation, R&D, and QA teams.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects.
• Proficient in quality management systems and audit software.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with internal teams and external auditors.

Additional Requirements

• PCQI Certification is a plus (we will support certification if needed)
• Ability to speak Spanish is 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.

Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentPhysical 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. Expected Pay Range: $28-$32/hr

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.

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