Schwan Food Co

Engineering Manager

Schwan Food Co$90K — $151K *
Food & Beverages
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical or Process preferred)
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in Process, Packaging, Infrastructure, and/or Maintenance, specifically in the Food and Beverage or CPG industry
  • Experience with budgeting and capital projects in a multi-site manufacturing environment
  • Strong skills in project cost controls and adherence to project management standards
  • Prior experience managing the bid process and subcontractor performance

Responsibilities

  • Partner with Plant Project Engineers to plan and execute capital projects across multiple facilities
  • Act as the capital approval gatekeeper, ensuring compliance with project standards
  • Provide coaching on vendor selection and resource planning while supporting talent development
  • Ensure adherence to project management best practices and escalate high-risk issues when necessary
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align operational needs with project plans
  • Collaborate with Finance to validate capital allocation and ensure accurate project closeouts
  • Lead select capital projects from initiation to completion, managing all execution aspects

Benefits

  • Competitive health benefits package
  • Retirement and financial wellbeing programs
  • Generous time-off policies
  • Wellbeing support programs
  • Eligibility for an annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance
Full Job Description
Schwan's Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle brand CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leader in manufacturing and marketing quality foods enjoyed nationwide. We have beloved brands like Red Baron®, Tony's®, Big Daddy's®, Villa Prima™ and Freschetta® pizzas; bibigo®, Pagoda® Asian-style snacks and we can't forget Mrs. Smith's® and Edwards® pies! We bring families and communities together through great food. Join our team and see the opportunities are real, and the sky is the limit; this isn't just a job, it's a seat at the table!

As the Engineering Manager at our frozen food manufacturing facility in the Houston, TX area (specifically Pasadena and Deer Park) you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence across two food manufacturing facilities by leading the evaluation and execution of capital projects. From infrastructure upgrades to critical EHS and food safety improvements, you'll serve as a strategic gatekeeper-ensuring project scopes, budgets, timelines, and outcomes align with business priorities.

Responsibilities:
  • Partner with Plant Project Engineers across multiple sites to scope, plan, and execute capital projects, ensuring alignment on budget, schedule, cash flow, procurement, and risk mitigation.
  • Serve as the capital approval gatekeeper, reviewing project scopes and execution plans to ensure feasibility and compliance with standards.
  • Provide coaching on vendor selection, engineering standards, and resource planning; support talent development and succession planning.
  • Ensure adherence to project management best practices and escalate high-risk issues as needed.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Production, Maintenance, Sanitation, HR, Logistics) to integrate operational needs into project plans.
  • Collaborate with Finance to review capital allocation, validate cash flow forecasts, and ensure accurate project closeouts.
  • Support capital planning by providing project performance insights and developing long-term investment strategies with site leadership.
  • Lead select capital projects directly, managing execution and deliverables from concept through completion.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical or Process preferred).
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in Process, Packaging equipment, Infrastructure, and/or Maintenance. Previous experience with Food and Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods companies required. Previous experiences with budgeting in a manufacturing multi-site capacity required.
  • Significant experience and skill related to project cost controls and measuring conformance to project management best practices.
  • Prior experience executing bid process, defining sub-contractor performance criteria and managing subcontractors, required.

Compensation and Benefits:

The base salary range for this position is $90,750 to $151,250 annually with eligibility for a 15% annual incentive bonus, that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to educations, skills, work experience, certifications, geography etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a strong foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support programs.

The employing subsidiaries of Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.

Education: Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical or Process preferred). Significant experience and skill related to project cost controls and measuring conformance to project management best practices.

Years of Experience: 10 plus years' experience in Process, Packaging equipment, Infrastructure, and/or Maintenance. Previous experience with Food and Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods companies required. Previous experience managing operations and/or technical teams required. Previous experiences with budgeting in a manufacturing multi-site capacity required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Prior experience executing bid process, defining sub-contractor performance criteria and managing subcontractors, required. Strong people management skills with the ability to train and develop others; Must be willing and able to travel 25% (typical) to 50% (peak) of the time, to other manufacturing sites within US, vendor facilities, construction sites, etc.

This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the job. An individual must be able to perform all of the duties and responsibilities listed in a fully competent manner to be considered successful in the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties and responsibilities.

About Schwan Food Co

The Schwan Food Company is a privately held company that manufactures and markets frozen foods. The company sells frozen foods from home delivery trucks, in grocery store freezers, by mail, and to the food service industry. The company produces, markets, and distributes products developed under brands such as Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony's, Mrs. Smith's, Edwards, Pagoda Express, and Larry's. The company was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota.
Learn more about Schwan Food Co
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1952

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