1

Food Manufacturing Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Director of Manufacturing

Elk River, MN · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Human & Food Safety * Attainment * Scrap * Labor $/Pop and Overhead $/Pop * Manufacturing & Production Leadership * Own 24/7 manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high quality ...

Human & Food Safety * Attainment * Scrap * Labor $/Pop and Overhead $/Pop * Manufacturing & Production Leadership * Own 24/7 manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high quality ...

Director of Manufacturing

Elk River, MN · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Human & Food Safety, Attainment, Scrap, Labor $/Pop and Overhead $/Pop * Manufacturing & Production Leadership * Own 24/7 manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high quality output

QA Manager- Glencoe

Glencoe, MN · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

TBD Job Overview A leading food manufacturing company is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to oversee plant-level quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and product-specification programs at ...

Food Manufacturing Production Team Member Starts at $14/hr. Join the Norsland Lefse team as a Food Manufacturing Production team member where you'll play a crucial role in producing high-quality ...

Lab Technician

Elk River, MN · On-site

$20 - $26.75/hr

Food Manufacturing Company Duration: 7 Months Location: Elk River, MN 55330 Shift: Monday-Friday | 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM CST Job Summary • Perform laboratory testing and analysis to support food safety ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Food Manufacturing information

See Minnesota salary details

$43.1K

$98.1K

$133.7K

How much do food manufacturing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for food manufacturing in Minnesota is $98,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,800.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is food manufacturing?

Food manufacturing is the process of transforming raw ingredients into finished food products through various methods such as processing, packaging, and distribution. This industry includes everything from large-scale production of packaged goods to specialized food items. Food manufacturing ensures that products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards before reaching consumers. It involves numerous roles, including machine operators, quality assurance specialists, and food scientists, all working together to produce safe and consistent food products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food manufacturing, and why are they important?

To excel in Food Manufacturing, strong knowledge of food safety standards, quality control, and production processes is essential, often supported by relevant certifications such as HACCP or SQF. Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, automated production systems, and inventory management software is typically required. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are crucial soft skills for maintaining efficiency and product quality. These competencies ensure safe, consistent, and high-standard food production in a regulated, fast-paced environment.

What is the difference between food manufacturing and food processing?

There is one significant difference between food processing and food manufacturing, and that is what each industry does with a given food product. Food processing is taking a raw product and turning it into an ingredient, like turning vanilla beans into vanilla extract, whereas food manufacturers purchase ingredients and use them within a product, like taking the vanilla extract and using it to make cookies. Both industries work primarily in plant or factory settings, and sometimes food processing and manufacturing is done on the same site, but the duties of manufacturers versus processors differ in their day-to-day operations.

What are common challenges faced by professionals in food manufacturing, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in food manufacturing often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict quality control, adhering to food safety regulations, and meeting high production demands. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with industry standards, participating in ongoing training, and working closely with quality assurance and maintenance teams. Effective communication and collaboration across departments are essential for quickly resolving issues and ensuring smooth production processes.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing vs Food Processing Worker?

AspectFood ManufacturingFood Processing Worker
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications varyHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be required
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, industrial settingsFactories, production lines, industrial settings
Industry UsageUsed broadly across food production companiesSpecific to processing tasks within food manufacturing
Job FocusOverseeing entire production processes or specific stagesPerforming specific processing tasks like cutting, packaging

Food Manufacturing and Food Processing Worker roles are closely related, often working in the same environments. Food Manufacturing covers a broader scope, including overseeing entire production lines, while Food Processing Workers focus on specific tasks like packaging or preparing food products. Both roles require similar credentials and are essential in the food industry.

Is food manufacturing a good career?

Food manufacturing is a stable career that offers opportunities in production, quality control, and management. It often requires attention to safety standards, technical skills, and sometimes certifications, with work environments that can be fast-paced and physically demanding.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Manufacturing jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Food Manufacturing jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Manufacturing jobs in Minnesota?

For Food Manufacturing jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Food Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Food Manufacturing job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 9% Contract, and 9% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,096 per year, or $47.2 per hour.

Sanitation Manager - Food Manufacturing

JonnyPops

Elk River, MN • On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 7 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Who We Are
At 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, JonnyPops 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 Summary
As the Sanitation Manager, you will be responsible for sanitizing and ensuring cleanliness of the facility/equipment. This role requires attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement sanitation and sanitary design standards by creating guidelines for optimizing cleaning and disinfection processes, ensuring standardization across facilities, and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Provide technical support by offering deep subject matter expertise in sanitation and sanitary design to other teams within the organization. Assess new equipment and processes: Ensuring that new or modified equipment adheres to sanitary design principles and regulatory requirements before purchase and installation.
  • Investigate non-conformities by collaborating with the cross functional team to determine the root cause of sanitation issues and recommend corrective actions.
  • Educating staff on proper cleaning practices and sanitation procedures is a critical part of the role. Stay current on emerging sanitation technologies, regulatory changes, and industry trends; proactively implement improvements to enhance food safety and operational efficiency.
  • Provide leadership and direction for corporate, fostering a culture of food safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. Develop, mentor and support sanitation managers across locations through coaching and expertise to drive performance and engagement.
  • Direct sanitation team to meet the daily objectives for QA and production with a continued focus on plant wide CIP
  • Develops sanitation procedures according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), USDA and FDA regulations for all sanitation tasks.
  • Maintains GMP provisions and monitors employee practices that relate to cleanliness, sanitation and pest control.

Food Safety Responsibilities
  • Understand and follow hygienic zone and plant program requirements
  • Can perform ATP & allergen testing
  • Adhere to Standard Work requirements and properly use GMP apparel to protect food from cross-contamination and allergen cross-contact
  • Maintain a clean and organized work area, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
  • Verify food safety and quality records from sanitation operations, before submitting to QA team
  • Understand and effectively use PPE as needed

Physical Demands and Work Environment
  • Physical 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 50 lbs. Works comfortably in a variable temperature environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works on a manufacturing plant floor.

Work Environment:
  • Primarily on-site within a food manufacturing facility.
  • May require occasional travel for external training or meetings.
  • Ability to work in environments that may include exposure to noise, machinery, and temperature variations

Minimum Qualifications
  • At least 5 years Sanitation experience in a related field.
  • At least 5 years supervisory or managerial experience preferred.
  • Computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite Programs (Outlook, Word, xcel).
  • Redzone experience preferred.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external partners.
  • Ability to work other days/hours as needed.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods of time
  • Willingness to work flexible hours and overtime as needed

Pay Range: $100,000-130,000
Benefits
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

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 of bonuses and/or commissions.