Operations Team Leader: Aseptic/ESL

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Position Title: Operations Team Leader: Aseptic/ESL

Reports To: Assistant Plant Manager/Plant Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Grade: 7

Pay Range: $78,000- $100,500

Position Overview:
The Operations Team Leader is a vital leadership role responsible for assisting and directing plant operations teams to achieve key objectives in planning, training, and operational excellence. This position ensures the successful execution of plant programs, supports company policies, and fosters a highly skilled and motivated workforce. The role includes oversight of all operational programs on assigned shifts, driving performance metrics, and ensuring compliance with regulations and quality standards at the Cayuga Ingredients manufacturing facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Management:
  • Lead and support daily operations across all departments, including raw milk receiving, batching/processing, packaging, warehousing, utilities, transportation, and maintenance.
  • Develop and execute daily production schedules and achieve operational efficiency targets involving labor, equipment, and overhead costs.
  • Maintain an active presence on the production floor, supporting employees and monitoring operational performance.
• Team Leadership and Development:
  • Train, and develop team members to operate equipment safely and effectively.
  • Conduct employee performance evaluations, schedule and facilitate shift meetings, and foster a culture of teamwork and accountability.
  • Plan and deliver training programs, including management and operational education.
• Compliance and Standards:
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including FDA, USDA, OSHA, and HACCP requirements.
  • Maintain accurate manufacturing protocols, labeling requirements, and quality standards for all products.
  • Collaborate with regulatory inspectors, third-party auditors, and international partners to meet compliance standards.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives to improve operational efficiency year-over-year.
  • Develop objectives, SOPs, and performance standards for operations staff to meet departmental and company goals.
  • Carry out minor operator-level maintenance (e.g., cleaning, lubrication, checking fluid levels, tightening loose fasteners) as part of Autonomous Maintenance in TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) systems.
• Safety and Quality Assurance:
  • Conduct inspections, risk assessments, and program evaluations to identify hazards and ensure safety and environmental compliance.
  • Ensure employees adhere to food safety, sanitation, and allergen control protocols.
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Build strong working relationships with employees, senior management, and external entities (FDA, USDA, OSHA, etc.).
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance, Engineering, and Warehouse Management, to prevent and resolve operational challenges.

Position Requirements

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
  • Minimum of 2+ years of lead/management experience manufacturing (food or pharmaceutical).
• Skills and Competencies:
  • Knowledge of plant operations, regulatory compliance, food safety, quality programs, and processing standards.
  • Proven supervisory and leadership experience with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel.
  • Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Environmental Considerations:

· Must be able to work in environments with varying temperatures.

· Potential exposure to ingredients used in food manufacturing, including allergens.

· May encounter chemicals commonly used in food processing and distribution facilities.

Physical Requirements:

· Ability to navigate all areas of the facility, including office spaces, warehouse areas, and the exterior perimeter.

· Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary to safely perform job duties.

· Ability to stand, sit, and carry out tasks throughout a full shift, with appropriate meal breaks.

· Physically capable of standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, and crouching as needed.

· Able to lift and move items weighing up to 50 pounds independently and heavier objects with reasonable accommodations.

· Visual acuity sufficient to perform job duties accurately.

· Capable of assessing weights, judging distances, and working at various heights.

Work Schedule:

12 Hour Nights (6pm-6am), Rotating Weekends. This is an overnight shift for an operation that continues 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Compensation:

At Cayuga Milk Ingredients, we value a fair and comprehensive approach to compensation. Our wage range for this role is determined by various factors, including skill sets, experience, training, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs. It is not typical for an employee to start at or near the top of the range for the position. Compensation decisions are made based on individual job circumstances considering skill level, previous experience, and education requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Cayuga Milk Ingredients is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to 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. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Non-Discrimination Policy:

The contractor will not discriminate against employees or applicants for discussing or disclosing their own pay or the pay of others. However, employees with access to compensation information as part of their job duties are prohibited from disclosing this information to unauthorized individuals, except in specific circumstances outlined by applicable laws and regulations (41 CFR 60-1.35(c)).

General Statement:

All Cayuga employees recognize that the success and prosperity of the company is everyone’s responsibility. All employees are expected to treat each other in a positive, respectful, and professional manner, to be at work for their assigned shift and to work safely as a team. Employees must be self-starters who can relate to all levels of the organization.

Disclaimer:

o All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

o This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

o The company reserves the right to add to or revise an employee's job duties at any time at its sole discretion.

o This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Requirements: