Manager, Quality Operations Engineer at Misfits Market · Northlake

About Misfits Market:

Misfits Market is a mission-driven, high-growth startup dedicated to reducing food waste and making shopping for sustainable, high-quality groceries easier and more affordable. We deliver organic produce, high-quality meats and seafood, plant-based proteins, dairy, bakery, wine, and other grocery items to nearly every zip code in 48 states at up to 30 percent off traditional grocery store prices. In 2022, Misfits Market acquired sustainable e-grocer Imperfect Foods and now leverages its in-house transportation network to deliver directly to consumers with one of the most carbon-efficient grocery delivery models on the market. By tackling inefficiencies in the food system, our passionate and motivated team of problem solvers helps save an average of 500,000 pounds of food per week from waste or lesser outcomes, with an all-time savings of 190+ million pounds of food.

As Misfits we support our customers and mission by embracing our core values of

Prioritizing our Customers                             

Doing more with less

Thinking Differently         

Respecting one another                             

Moving deliberately and quickly                   

Taking initiative and delivering 

About Role:

We are seeking a hands-on, data-driven Quality Engineer to join our Fulfillment Center team. Reporting directly to the Head of Quality and Safety, you will serve as the "boots on the ground" voice of quality within the warehouse.

This is not a desk job!!! You will be an active presence on the warehouse floor, bridging the gap between high-level quality strategy and daily operations. You will drive continuous improvement projects, analyze defect data to identify trends, and act as a cultural change agent, empowering our teams to take ownership of quality and safety.

Responsibilities:

1. Operational Quality & The "Perfect Box" Mission

• Floor Leadership: Spend significant time on the warehouse floor auditing picking, packing, and shipping processes to ensure every outbound package meets our "Perfect Box" standard.
• Defect Reduction: Investigate internal errors (picking mistakes, damaged goods) and external customer complaints. Perform root cause analysis to prevent these issues at the source.
• Inventory Quality: Partner with Inbound and Inventory Control teams to monitor the freshness and condition of incoming produce and shelf-stable goods, establishing clear acceptance/rejection criteria.

2. Continuous Improvement & Project Management

• Process Optimization: Lead specific CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) projects. Identify bottlenecks or high-risk areas in the fulfillment line and design engineering solutions to mitigate them.
• Standardization: Draft, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions. Ensure these are not just written but understood and practiced by floor associates.

Transfer of Knowledge: Act as the subject matter expert in the deployment of SOPs and problem solving disciplines.

• Change Management: Act as the project lead for new quality initiatives, test methods, validation activities, ensuring timelines are met, and stakeholders (Operations, Merchandising, Logistics) are aligned.

• Statistical Analysis: Utilize statistical methods (SPC, Pareto charts, trend analysis) to interpret quality data. Move us from "reacting to errors" to "predicting and preventing" them.
• Reporting: Create weekly and monthly quality dashboards for leadership, highlighting scrap rates, error rates, and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Decision Support: Use data to influence operational decisions—proving when a process change is necessary based on hard evidence.

3. Food Safety & Compliance

• Compliance Guardian: Maintain strict adherence to GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) and sanitation standards within the warehouse.
• Audit Readiness: Assist in maintaining the site’s Food Safety and Safety Plans. While SQF certification experience is preferred, you will help prepare the facility for third-party audits and regulatory inspection readiness.
• Culture of Safety: Ensure that quality never comes at the expense of safety. Champion a culture where food safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Who You Are

• A Culture Change Agent: You know that Quality isn't about policing people; it's about coaching them. You can influence associates and managers alike to care about the details.
• Analytical: You love Excel, Google Sheets, SQL, or Tableau. You don't just see numbers; you see the story they tell about our operations.
• Resilient: Fulfillment centers are fast-paced environments. You can handle shifting priorities and keep a cool head under pressure.
• A Problem Solver: You don't just put a band-aid on a problem; you find the root cause (5 Whys, Fishbone) and fix it forever.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing), Food Science, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 2–5 years of experience in a Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement, or Process Engineering role within a manufacturing, food production, or high-volume fulfillment environment.
• Technical Skills: * Strong proficiency in Data Analysis and Statistical Process Control.
• Experience with Project Management methodologies.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles (Green Belt is a plus).
• Food Safety: Familiarity with FDA, USDA-AMS & FSIS, GFSI, FSMA regulations, HACCP Certified, and SQF Practitioner Certified.
• Preferred (but not required): Experience implementing or maintaining SQF, BRC, or ISO 9001 systems.
• Spanish 
• Soft Skills: Exceptional communication skills—ability to translate technical quality concepts into clear instructions for warehouse associates.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to spend 50% of time on the warehouse floor in cold environments (36°F and below).

Why Misfits Market?

• Impact: Your work directly contributes to reducing food waste and feeding families.
• Growth: A fast-growing company with opportunities to define your own career path.
• Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a discount on our delicious produce!

Misfits Market is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Details of Position & Benefits:

• Salary range: $90,000 - $95,000 / year
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) 
• Annual Misfits grocery box credit of $1200 paid in weekly installments
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation time
• Paid holidays 
• Paid sick days
• Commuter benefits

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