At 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.
Join our team as a Senior Project Engineer and lead high-impact capital projects at our frozen pizza manufacturing site in Florence, KY. In this role, you'll drive complex engineering initiatives that support growth, productivity, infrastructure, and operational excellence across food production, packaging, utilities, and facility systems. You'll partner cross-functionally to deliver innovative solutions that improve performance, reliability, and efficiency while shaping the future of our operations.
What You Will Do:
- Lead complex capital projects from concept through startup, including production equipment, utilities, infrastructure, and facility improvements.
- Manage the site's 3-year capital plan, including project scope, budgets, schedules, forecasting, and capital justification.
- Provide technical leadership to solve operational challenges, drive continuous improvement, and optimize manufacturing performance.
- Develop project specifications, manage bidding and contractor activities, and ensure safe, on-time, and cost-effective project execution.
- Lead project governance, risk management, commissioning, and startup activities, including FMEA, FAT/SAT, and qualification processes.
- Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions and support new products.
- Serve as a site engineering expert, supporting major corporate initiatives and leveraging emerging technologies to advance operational excellence.
What We Look For:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (ABET preferred).
- 7+ years of project engineering or project management experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven success managing large-scale projects, including scope, budget, schedule, and execution.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, engineering design, construction, and facility operations.
- Experience with CAD and engineering standards, plus a working knowledge of FDA, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and related regulations.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.
- Ability to effectively partner with operations, maintenance, contractors, and vendors to deliver project results.
- Lean Six Sigma experience or certification preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
The base salary range for this position is $93,000 to $154,000 annually, with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, and geography. 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, and 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering
- 7+ years of project engineering or project management experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing environment
- Experience managing large-scale projects, including scope, budget, schedule, and execution
- Knowledge of manufacturing systems, engineering design, construction, and facility operations
- Experience with CAD and engineering standards
- Working knowledge of FDA, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and related regulations
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills
- Ability to partner effectively with operations, maintenance, contractors, and vendors
- ABET-accredited engineering degree
- Lean Six Sigma experience or certification
Schwan's Company Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Schwan's Company and has not been reviewed or approved by Schwan's Company.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage includes multiple plan options, including some no‑deductible choices, plus dental and vision. Benefits in this area are frequently regarded as a major strength for full‑time employees.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting for eligible employees. This feature is viewed as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes vacation that scales with tenure, paid holidays, and personal days. New hires can begin accruing PTO early in their employment.
Schwan's Company Insights
What We Do
As one of the fastest-growing leaders and producers in North America’s food industry, Schwan’s Company is dedicated to bringing people and cultures together through global flavors and delicious ethnic cuisine. Our commitment to this is reflected in the innovative foods we produce, our iconic brands and through a team of exceptional talent. Today, as a subsidiary of CJ CheilJedang, Schwan’s is a fast-paced, forward-thinking company that’s on its way to bigger and better things. We are a leading food marketer, with trusted brands like RED BARON®, FRESCHETTA®, BIG DADDY'S™ and TONY'S™ pizza, EDWARDS® and MRS. SMITH'S® desserts, and BIBIGO® and PAGODA® Asian-style foods. And, with manufacturing operations in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas, we are well-prepared to deliver a great experience to our consumers wherever they shop and eat.
