Sr. Processing Manager

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With nearly $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes : fairlife ultra-filtered milk ;

Core Power High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife nutrition plan , a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com .

The construction of fairlife's manufacturing facility in Webster, NY is underway. This state-of-the-art, 750k sq ft, greenfield plant is expected to be operational in late 2025 and will lay the foundation for fairlife's next phase of growth as the leading dairy nutrition provider.

While coupling the industry's latest technologies and fairlife's operational excellence to build this world-class facility, fairlife plans to hire 250 new employees and bring in approximately 5 million lbs.

of milk a day, with room to grow over the coming years.

job purpose :

The Senior Processing Manager is responsible for overseeing our 24 / 7 processing operations. This role has a staff including the department's supervisory team as well as our processing operators working within our kitting, batching, receiving, filtration, and pasteurization areas.

This leader will be critical in driving results through the implementation of process standards and rigor, while empowering creative thinking and promoting a decentralized command environment.

A strong continuous improvement focus on eliminating issues vs fixing them will be important. This is a key role to ensure the flow of dairy across the site is running efficiently while creating a modern and collaborative work culture for our employees.

responsibilities :

• Takes responsibility for the training and development of their full staff.
• Cultivates a culture focused on zero losses through standardization and loss elimination.
• Responsible for leading and managing plant operations within our processing department while overseeing strategic projects, initiatives, and programs.
• Responsible for the results of the processing department. Works to establish and cascade Key Performance Indicators throughout the department.
• Reviews inventories and production plans daily with our dairy planner and scheduling manager, coordinating schedule demands with staff and product movement personnel.
• Sponsors key capital project and commercialization projects relevant to the processing department.
• Reviews all nonconforming products or ingredients with Quality Assurance Manager.
• Monitors processing department throughout shifts and assures employee compliance with GMP's, sanitation, and safety.
• Partners with our Maintenance Manager to ensure all equipment stays in good working condition.
• Builds and manages the department's budget within financial targets.
• Manages team members across a 24 / 7 operation.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

skills / qualifications required :

Required :

• Minimum of 5+ years of aseptic or ESL manufacturing experience : dairy industry preferred.
• A self-starter who is driven by the thrill of continuous improvement daily.

Preferred :

• Bachelor's Degree (Engineering, Food Science or Dairy Science preferred) with proven knowledge of process flow and fluid mass balance.
• Working knowledge of regulatory food requirements. PMO, PCQI, FSMA.
• Proven experience working directly with FDA / USDA and / or other Federal / State regulatory agencies.
• Proven experience working in a 24 / 7 operation with customers both upstream (Producers) and downstream (Packaging and Supply Chain).
• Continuous Improvement mindset including root cause analysis, strategic planning, Lean, or TPM principals.
• Ability to meet production schedules with shifting priorities.
• Understanding the chemistry of cleaning and CIP / COP programs.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

working conditions and physical requirements :

• Ability to sit / stand / walk for prolonged periods or time
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Reaching / bending requirements
• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.)
• Specific atmospheric conditions

food safety requirements :

• Responsible for maintaining critical control points, aseptic requirements and regulatory standards at all times.
• Responsible for implementing corrective actions and necessary changes after nonconformance or product deviations.
• Accountable for 3 rd party Food Safety and GMP audits / results as well as internal Quality and Food Safety programs.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and / or Government requirements / standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.

position location : on-site Webster, NY

reports to : Director of Operations

travel requirements : 50% to start then

exempt / nonexempt : Exempt

Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and / or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range :

$130,000 $140,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company.

If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected] .