UConn Creamery Manager (Dining Services Manager 1)

This position is a full-time (100%), permanent role based on the University of Connecticut's Storrs Campus, reporting to the Department Head of Animal Science.

About The UConn Creamery

Established in the early 1900s, the UConn Creamery has remained a cornerstone of the University's agricultural tradition. Through the production of products sold in the UConn Dairy Bar since 1953, it continues to be one of UConn's most recognized and beloved public-facing operations. Located within the Department of Animal Science, the Creamery produces all of the ice cream sold through the renowned UConn Dairy Bar using fresh milk from the University's Kellogg Dairy Center. In addition to manufacturing award-winning ice cream and a variety of specialty cheeses, the facility supports dairy foods research, teaching, and outreach activities that advance the University's land-grant mission.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees daily operations of the UConn Creamery, including the manufacture of ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products for sale through the UConn Dairy Bar and other retail outlets.
• Supervises two full-time employees and assigned student employees, including independent recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Develops and coordinates production schedules to ensure adequate inventory and product availability while maintaining product quality standards and operational efficiency.
• Creates and oversees the development of new ice cream and dairy products, including seasonal offerings, premium and specialty products, monthly featured flavors, and limited-edition products developed in collaboration with University programs, student groups, and other stakeholders.
• Maintains efficient and effective dairy manufacturing and food production operation and ensures safe and sanitary conditions in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and University standards, laws, policies, and regulations.
• Oversees food safety and quality assurance programs, including HACCP plans, Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) requirements, sanitation programs, product quality monitoring, and other food safety initiatives necessary to maintain regulatory compliance and product integrity.
• Ensures compliance with applicable dairy processing, food manufacturing, licensing, inspection, labeling, and food safety regulations and serves as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies during inspections, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Develops, implements, monitors, and maintains operational procedures, documentation, records, and corrective actions required to support food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance programs.
• Ensures the proper maintenance, repair, and safe operation of Creamery equipment and facilities; troubleshoots operational issues, performs minor repairs, and coordinates preventative maintenance and major repairs as necessary.
• Tracks operational expenditures, production costs, inventory usage, and purchasing activity; develops recommendations to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness and collaborates with departmental fiscal staff on budget management and financial planning.
• Oversees purchasing, receiving, and inventory management of ingredients, packaging materials, equipment, and supplies while ensuring safe and sanitary handling practices.
• Tracks production output, inventory usage, and other operational metrics; maintains records and prepares reports related to food safety, production activities, inspections, inventory, equipment maintenance, personnel administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluates Creamery policies and procedures and recommends and implements improvements to enhance operational effectiveness, product quality, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Assists in identifying opportunities for new products, operational efficiencies, customer engagement, and service enhancements to meet evolving business and consumer needs.
• Promotes and markets Creamery products and programs through special events, outreach activities, partnerships, and collaboration with the CAHNR Office of Communications as appropriate.
• Performs related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Food Science, Food Service Management, Business Management, Operations Management, or a related field and five (5) years of experience in dairy processing, food manufacturing, food production, food service operations, or a closely related environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Experience supervising employees, including assigning work, scheduling staff, and monitoring performance.
• Experience maintaining food safety, sanitation, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance standards in food production, dairy processing, food manufacturing, or food service environment.
• Experience working with HACCP plans, preventive controls programs, or other formal food safety management systems.
• Experience with inventory management, purchasing, and supply ordering.
• Experience monitoring operational budgets, costs, inventory utilization, purchasing activity, production metrics, or other operational performance indicators.
• Experience overseeing the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of food processing equipment.
• Experience developing, implementing, or improving operational processes, products, or services.
• Current ServSafe Manager Certification or the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing dairy processing, creamery, cheese production, ice cream production, or other food manufacturing operations.
• Experience serving as a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI).
• Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining HACCP plans.
• Experience with state and federal dairy processing, food manufacturing, licensing, inspection, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing regulatory inspections and audits.
• Experience developing new products, flavors, or specialty food offerings.
• Experience supervising student employees, seasonal employees, or part-time staff.
• Experience supporting research, teaching, outreach, or extension activities within an academic environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn.

Schedule

This is a full-time, 35-hours per week, 12-month position. The position regularly requires early morning work and may occasionally require evening or weekend hours to support operational needs.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
• This position operates in a dairy manufacturing environment and requires regular standing, walking, and lifting of ingredients, supplies, and finished products. The selected candidate must be able to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Compliance with all food safety, sanitation, workplace safety, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements is expected.