Whey Technical Lead

What you will do

The Whey Technical Lead is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the whey department at the Tillamook plant for efficient operations.

• Assists in managing the department, including GMPs, SOP’s, safety, sanitation, and operation of equipment and troubleshooting and solving problems with processing equipment, and issue orders.
• This position provides work coverage for Plant Operators, Packaging/Warehouse, and Food Manufacturing Supervisors when needed for absences, training, or other job assignments.

Here’s a day in the life

• Supervise the production of whey plant production at Boardman from the receipt of milk through the production of cheese and whey while maximizing yields and reducing loss of whey and maintaining a cost-efficient operation.
• Assign and track production work orders.
• Communicate production goals to the crew with daily KPI in shift huddles.
• Review daily production data and maintain priority balance; organize and prepare efficiency summaries KPI.
• Ensures that proper techniques are used for sanitation of production equipment.
• Reports all exceptions to product or ingredient quality as appropriate based on the seriousness/urgency of the situation.
• Work with operators to troubleshoot and resolve equipment problems and other production issues.
• Implement plans to correct any problems that are identified, determine where and why the problem occurred, and oversee specific corrective action.
• Maintain compliance with USDA, OSDA, FDA, and other regulatory product safety requirements.
• Establish manufacturing quality control point testing and measures.
• Review the previous day’s production and laboratory reports of whey analysis.
• Work with the maintenance department to plan and schedule repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems as needed.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employees, supervisors, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively.
• Act as a team player and be able to interact with staff at all levels of the company.
• Work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrate excellent time-management skills with the ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Lead by example with daily hands-on approach.
• Assisting with operation of processing equipment, valve maintenance, membrane, and baghouse replacements.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• A high school diploma or GED required. A Bachelor’s degree is a plus or a combination of experience and education.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience managing a manufacturing operation including powder drying with leadership experience.
• Weekend and off-shift work is required.
• Duties may include repetitive motion of hands and lifting up to 45 pounds.

Industry leading benefit and reward programs

We offer outstanding benefits to our employees. For more information, please visit the careers page: www.tillamook.com/careers.